Harkin, DeLauro Praise Inclusion of Menu Labeling in Historic Health Care Reform Legislation

Washington, DC –Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT -3) today lauded the inclusion of a federal menu labeling provision in the health care reform legislation signed into law by President Obama earlier today.

The lawmakers have previously introduced the MEAL Act, which requires chain restaurants with 20 or more business locations to display the calories of their food options on the menus and menu boards, as well as provide additional nutritional information in written form. It will enable consumers to clearly see the nutritional benefits of a restaurant's menu options. The provision included in the health reform legislation is based on the menu labeling bill.

Senator Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Congresswoman DeLauro, Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, co-authored this legislation, which was first introduced in 2003.

"For nearly 20 years, consumers have benefitted from nutrition labels on packaged foods, but have remained in the dark about the nutritional quality of their restaurant meals," said Harkin. "The passage of menu labeling closes this glaring loophole, giving consumers the information that they need to take control of their own health."

"I am delighted that menu labeling has been included in the historic health care reform legislation that President Obama signed into law today," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "Americans will now be able to make more informed choices about the food they are eating, and with childhood obesity rates tripling over the last 30 years, this legislation is imperative to the health of our nation."