LABELS, LABELS, EVERYWHERE

It’s going to get a little more difficult to avoid knowing exactly what’s in the food you order at a restaurant. In May the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved new regulations requiring restaurant chains with 2O or more in-state stores to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards, including those stationed at the chains’ drive-through areas. The new regulations will go into effect November 1, 2O1O, and will affect approximately 5O restaurant chains, or a total of 58OO stores. More than 3O states, cities or countries have enacted or are considering menu-labeling legislation. Federal lawmakers are considering the Labeling Education and Nutrition Act, or LEAN Act, a measure that would mandate the posting of nutritional information at chain restaurants with 2O or more outlets. It would also provide liability protection to restaurants that comply with the law.