Nashville’s health department says three-fourths of the community supports a measure that would require chain restaurants to post their foods’ calories on menus. Officials say eating out plays an increasing role in an epidemic of people eating more calories than they burn, causing obesity and diabetes.
Nashville’s health department wants to require chain restaurants to post their foods’ calorie amounts on their menus and drive-through boards. The proposal would affect restaurants with 15 or more locations nationally.
Metro Health Director Bill Paul says in the last month, an automated survey for the department got opinions from about 400 people. 284 supported the requirement, while 79 opposed it.
Paul says popular support for the measure is a factor for the health board’s decision going forward.
“How we use the survey – it’s one piece of information. Where this is right now is that the board of health is considering it, and considering all of the pieces of it, and they don’t really undertake this kind of a thing lightly.”
The board meets Thursday to discuss the measure in detail, and plans to vote on it in March if nothing changes. Paul says if the board makes many changes to the proposal, it could open menu labeling up for further public comment.
The health board has been weighing the proposal since fall, and taking cues from other communities that have passed similar measures, like New York and California. If passed, the requirement would not go into effect until next year.
Link to the health department’s page on menu labeling.
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