On April 10, 2008, the American Dietitic Association (ADA) issued the following Stance on Restaurant Labeling
"To date, ADA has not supported any legislative proposals requiring restaurant calorie labeling. ADA generally praises state and local officials for their attention to this matter, but we urge caution in endorsing restaurant legislation or initiatives in the absence of scientific support to indicate that the action will be effective."
However, the National Academies\' Institute of Medicine recommends that restaurant chains \"provide calorie content and other key nutrition information on menus and packaging that is prominently visible at point of choice and use\" (2006). The Food and Drug Administration, Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, and American Medical Association also recommend providing nutrition information at restaurants.
Currently, in the USA, two-thirds or adults are overweight and over one-third are obese. People need nutrition information to manage their weight and reduce the risk of or manage heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, which are leading causes of death, disability, and high health-care costs.
Surveys show that 78% of Americans support menu labeling.
The average American eats out four meals a week; that is enough to lead to over-consuming calories not just on the day the person eats out, but also to exceed calorie requirements over the course of a whole week.
American adults and children consume on average one third of their calories from eating out.
Children eat almost twice as many calories when they eat a meal at a restaurant compared to a meal at home.
When eating out, people eat more saturated fat and fewer nutrients, such as calcium and fiber, than at home.
Three-quarters of adults report using nutrition labels on packaged food, and studies show that providing nutrition information at restaurants can help people make lower calorie choices and that using labels is associated with eating more healthful diets.
We, who are Registered Dietitians and members of the ADA, urge the ADA to amend its current stance and join these other prominent science-based, health care organizations in recommending and supporting the providing of nutrition information at restaurants.
Reaching this point has been draining but seeing the public backing for transparent nutrition labels keeps me going. It is clear that people deserve better information when they sit down to eat despite the pushback we keep facing.
Reached 100 supporters
April 27, 2008
6 Comments
S
Sarah Ferguson
18 years ago
Featured
Finally! I have no idea how many calories are in a burger these days. just put the numbers on the board so we can actually know what we are eating.
A
Amanda McKenzie
18 years ago
Featured
As someone with high blood pressure this is a huge deal. Dining out is a nightmare when you have to guess if the food will trigger a flare up.
M
Mike Tate
18 years ago
Featured
Its about time. Restaurants hide how bad their food is for you. We need to see the facts before we buy.
D
David Lin
18 years ago
Featured
Restaurants act like it is a secret. We have a right to know what we are putting in our bodies.
J
Jessica Fisher
18 years ago
Featured
SERIOUSLY. I try to eat healthy but it is impossible when you go out to eat and have no idea what is in the meal. Transparency please!
T
Tom Gray
18 years ago
Featured
Keep it simple. Just put the calorie counts on the menu. Every single place should do this.
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On April 10, 2008, the American Dietitic Association (ADA) issued the following Stance on Restaurant Labeling
"To date, ADA has not supported any legislative proposals requiring restaurant calorie labeling. ADA generally praises state and local officials for their attention to this matter, but we urge caution in endorsing restaurant legislation or initiatives in the absence of scientific support to indicate that the action will be effective."
However, the National Academies\' Institute of Medicine recommends that restaurant chains \"provide calorie content and other key nutrition information on menus and packaging that is prominently visible at point of choice and use\" (2006). The Food and Drug Administration, Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, and American Medical Association also recommend providing nutrition information at restaurants.
Currently, in the USA, two-thirds or adults are overweight and over one-third are obese. People need nutrition information to manage their weight and reduce the risk of or manage heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, which are leading causes of death, disability, and high health-care costs.
Surveys show that 78% of Americans support menu labeling.
The average American eats out four meals a week; that is enough to lead to over-consuming calories not just on the day the person eats out, but also to exceed calorie requirements over the course of a whole week.
American adults and children consume on average one third of their calories from eating out.
Children eat almost twice as many calories when they eat a meal at a restaurant compared to a meal at home.
When eating out, people eat more saturated fat and fewer nutrients, such as calcium and fiber, than at home.
Three-quarters of adults report using nutrition labels on packaged food, and studies show that providing nutrition information at restaurants can help people make lower calorie choices and that using labels is associated with eating more healthful diets.
We, who are Registered Dietitians and members of the ADA, urge the ADA to amend its current stance and join these other prominent science-based, health care organizations in recommending and supporting the providing of nutrition information at restaurants.
Reaching this point has been draining but seeing the public backing for transparent nutrition labels keeps me going. It is clear that people deserve better information when they sit down to eat despite the pushback we keep facing.
Reached 100 supporters
April 27, 2008
6 Comments
S
Sarah Ferguson
18 years ago
Featured
Finally! I have no idea how many calories are in a burger these days. just put the numbers on the board so we can actually know what we are eating.
A
Amanda McKenzie
18 years ago
Featured
As someone with high blood pressure this is a huge deal. Dining out is a nightmare when you have to guess if the food will trigger a flare up.
M
Mike Tate
18 years ago
Featured
Its about time. Restaurants hide how bad their food is for you. We need to see the facts before we buy.
D
David Lin
18 years ago
Featured
Restaurants act like it is a secret. We have a right to know what we are putting in our bodies.
J
Jessica Fisher
18 years ago
Featured
SERIOUSLY. I try to eat healthy but it is impossible when you go out to eat and have no idea what is in the meal. Transparency please!
T
Tom Gray
18 years ago
Featured
Keep it simple. Just put the calorie counts on the menu. Every single place should do this.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
or sign with Email
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
Finally! I have no idea how many calories are in a burger these days. just put the numbers on the board so we can actually know what we are eating.