Preliminary Data from NYC shows Menu Labeling IS Having an Impact!

Over the past two weeks, news outlets throughout the U.S. have been reporting the data recently published in Health Affairs, showing that menu labeling in NYC isn't working¹. New data released today by the New York Department of Health at the Obesity Society's annual meeting in Washington, DC, showed that menu-labeling actually is having an impact!

Foggy Bottom Block Party was a success!

Thanks to all of you who turned out yesterday at the Foggy Bottom/West End Neighborhood Block Party! We had a ton of fun playing our menu game with everyone, and we gathered over 45 signatures in support of the DC MEAL Act.

DVMC asks commercial weight-loss programs about their positions on menu-labeling.

DC Voices for Meal Choices asked the most popular weight loss programs, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and NutriSystem about their position on menu-labeling in chain restaurants. You would think that such programs would be supportive of menu-labeling in chain restaurants. After all, we clearly agree that a critical step in helping individuals make healthier meal choices is for them to be aware of the nutritional content in the foods they are eating, right? So, we asked these programs if they had a position on menu-labeling in chain restaurants or if they were supportive of menu-labeling in chain restaurants. Here were their responses:

Weight Watchers responded with "our program depends upon members viewing nutritional labels provided on food products and calculating information with their program materials. Weight Watchers does not have a position on labeling."

NutriSystem responded with "NutriSystem is not interested in contacting on this."

Jenny Craig did not provide a response.

Does anyone find it strange that these programs, whose missions are to help people live healthier lifestyles through proper diet choices, aren't jumping up and down in support of menu-labeling enforcement in restaurants?

Flaws with National Menu-Labeling Legislation: The LEAN Act endorsed by National Restaurant Association!

Senators Tom Carper, D-Delaware, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska re-introduced a federal menu-labeling bill called the Labeling Education and Nutrition Act (LEAN Act) in the Senate on March 10, 2009 along with Reps. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and Fred Upton, R-Mich, who introduced their version of the bill in the House in the same week.

The bill would require restaurant chains with 20 or more outlets to make nutritional data available for customers at point of purchase instead of requiring restaurants to post caloric information directly next to menu items. Though the bill would be helpful for consumers who are already health-conscious it would fail to reach out to less-informed and less-educated consumers, which is what The DC MEAL Act (as well menu-labeling legislation in other localities around the nation) strives to accomplish.

The DC MEAL Act would require chain restaurants to post caloric information next to menu items to serve as a constant reminder to consumers of just how many calories are in menu items they are ordering. The LEAN Act fails to reach out to the most vulnerable population at risk for obesity- those who are less health-conscious and less-informed about how to make healthy choices.

Interestingly, the National Restaurant Association, which has strongly opposed menu-labeling legislation in the past, has been quick to voice its support for the LEAN Act. This is a weak bill that would preempt state and local menu-labeling laws. It seems to be more beneficial for other parties rather than consumers facing an obesity epidemic.

"Eat-In" Event: RECAP!

DVMC held an "eat-in" event on 11.24.08 during lunch rush hours on the busy restaurant center of 19th Street between L and M Streets, NW DC. The event aimed to raise awareness and garner support of menu-labeling in DC. During the event, DVMC staff stirred up commotion on 19th Street by distributing postcards, flyers and related materials about menu-labeling; hosting calorie quizzes of sample food items from popular chain restaurants in the District, and canvassing for petition signatures to pass menu-labeling in DC. The signatures from the event and from previous events will be faxed to DC City Council to advocate for a hearing on the bill. Combating the cold weather, DVMC was able to spread awareness about menu-labeling, which was critical because many people seemed unaware of the bill and menu-labeling. In general, most people seemed favorable of menu-labeling after being informed. DC consumers should expect to see nutritional information on menus and menu boards in order to make informed food choices, if one chooses to! If you stopped by our table, please leave us any comments or suggestions for future events!

Menu-labeling is stirring-up political and media attention across the US due to similar laws passed in NYC, California, King County in Washington State and most recently, Philadelphia. Menu-labeling may be one tactic in a comprehensive approach to address the overweight and obesity epidemic across our nation.

Eating Healthy? Policy Priority

Eating healthy can be done, but may be more difficult depending on where you live or to what you have access. Overweight and obesity rates in the District are high--but vary greatly geographically. Rates are low (7%) in upper NW DC, whereas SE DC sees very high rates (35%). Poorer areas in DC are hit hard, with many of them being children.

DC Voices for MEAL Choices announces an "eat-in" event to raise awareness and gain support of menu-labeling in DC!

As consumers, you deserve to see nutritional information on menus in restaurants, just as you do on items in the grocery store. New York City, California, King County in Washington State, and most recently Philadelphia have passed similar menu-labeling laws. DVMC wants the District to be next on this list and needs your support!

Please stop by and join us in supporting the DC MEAL Act on Monday, November 24, 2008 from 11am-1pm on 19th Street, NW, between L Street and M Street, Washington D.C.