Nutrition Disclosure Bill Opposed by Food Industry

Food industry leaders are pouring cold water on the latest effort by public health advocates to combat obesity. The Massachusetts Public Health Association and Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, are pushing for passage of legislation requiring restaurants in Massachusetts to post nutritional information about their menu options in an easily visible location or make such information available upon request by customers. By posting such information, consumers might be more apt to stay away from meals with higher caloric content, and would be more aware of the levels of fat, carbohydrates and sodium in the meals and products offered. The new system, which would be regulated by the state Department of Public Health, would be especially beneficial to low-income residents, who Friedman said are both more likely to buy takeout food and more likely to be obese. Food industry leaders say the bill's required nutrient analyses would be too costly to implement and influence and limit the range of menu options available to those dining out. Restaurants may offer nutritional information -- and some already are -- but it ought to be on a voluntary basis, according to industry officials. Erin Trabucco, general counsel to the Massachusetts Retailers Association, said the bill would leave restaurants and retailers at "high risk" of violating the act's margin of error because ingredients, portion sizes and specials change periodically. That would leave businesses vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits and "heavy fines" -- the bill calls for a $500 fine for first offenses and a $1,000 fine and license suspension for second and subsequent offenses. Peter Christie, president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said its passage would lead to less creativity among chefs. "It's called culinary arts," he told lawmakers. "It's not manufacturing." Christie estimated that implementing nutrient analysis to meet the bill's requirements would cost between $17,000 and $25,000 per menu. Christie said he is personally interested in nutrition information but called the legislation impractical and unaffordable. "I know that everyone's concern is obesity, as it should be, and this is something that the food industry is taking very, very seriously," Christie said. http://www.metrowestdailynews.com