DeLauro Commends Conn. Legislature for Approving Bill Requiring Chain Restaurants to Disclose Calories

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) issued the following statement commending the Connecticut General Assembly for approving legislation to require major chain restaurants to publish the number of calories for each food item on their printed menus and menu boards.

DeLauro has championed similar legislation at the federal level, the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act , to require chain restaurants with 20 or more business locations to provide consumers with information on calories, sodium, saturated and trans fat, and carbohydrates.

Repeated studies have shown that consumers systematically underestimate how many calories are in restaurant meals and they underestimate by more calories as meals grow larger.

"I would like to congratulate the Connecticut legislature for passing a critical public health bill that will represent an incremental step in combating increasing obesity rates that have resulted in rising health care costs. Providing nutrition information on restaurant menus has become more important than ever, especially since studies link obesity to eating out.

"Consumers have had access to nutrition information on packaged foods in grocery stores for 15 years and it is now time to provide access to nutrition information on restaurant menus. I will continue to work to pass legislation on the federal level that will ensure that all Americans have the information to make healthier food choices when they eat out. In the meantime, I would urge Governor Rell to sign this legislation into law."