Abstract
Menu-labeling legislation is a proposed public health intervention for poor diet and
obesity that requires chain restaurants to provide nutrition information on menus
and menu boards. The restaurant industry has strongly opposed menu-labeling legislation.
Using scientific evidence, this paper counters industry arguments against menu labeling
by demonstrating that consumers want chain restaurant nutrition information to be
disclosed; the current methods of providing nutrition information are inadequate;
the expense of providing nutrition information is minimal; the government has the
legal right to mandate disclosure of information; consumers have the right to know
nutrition information; a lack of information reduces the efficiency of a market economy;
and menu labeling has the potential to make a positive public health impact.
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© 2009 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
