by KYW's Paul Kurtz
A City Council committee has approved a bill forcing chain restaurants and retail establishments outlets to post nutrition information about food and beverages on their menus and menu boards.
In this case, a chain includes ten or more restaurants, convenience stores, deli's, bakeries, even coffee shops. The information would include calories, fat and carbs.
Dr. Margo Wootan with the Center for Science in the Public Interest told the Committee on Public Health and Human Services that this is not the food police swooping in and telling people what to eat:
"This is simply giving people the freedom to make their own choices about what they want to order."
But critics say the measure is far too broad and cumbersome. Miguel Miranda, managing partner of Capital Grille says his restaurant specializes in beef.
"Different cuts have varying amounts of fat which will greatly change how much calories..as will sodium is in each steak. So for us to get accurate information on a consistent basis that we can post permanently makes it somewhat difficult for us."
A final vote could come as early as May 1st.
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