On a New York Menu …

Nutrition Action Healthletter, July-August, 2008 by Michael F. Jacobson

Which Starbucks drink has more calories: a grande Doubleshot Espresso on Ice or a grande Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino?

If you live in Los Angeles or Chicago, you have to guess. But if you're in Manhattan, the company's new menu board makes it clear: the Doubleshot has 90 calories; the Frappuccino has 430.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

As of July 19, a New York City law--still intact despite a flurry of lawsuits from the restaurant industry--requires chain restaurants to list calories on their menus and menu boards or risk fines.

In March, San Francisco passed its own law. As of July 22--unless a restaurant-industry lawsuit delays or kills the bill--printed menus at chain restaurants must disclose not only calories, but saturated fat, carbohydrates, and sodium.

If foods on display (like scones or muffins) carry tags with their names or prices, the tags must also list calories. And, starting September 20, menu boards must list calories.

King County, Washington (the area in and around Seattle), and Santa Clara County, California, have also passed labeling laws, and more than 20 states, cities, and counties are considering similar measures.

But restaurants are fighting back. They want to hide the information in brochures, on posters, at kiosks, and in other equally obscure places.

Trust me, none of that matches the impact of seeing "1,120" in the "Calories" column next to the "Caramel Pecanbon" on Cinnabon's New York menu boards.

"Obesity and diabetes are the only major health problems that are getting worse in New York City," says Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden.

His department estimates that the new menu-labeling regulation could slash the number of people who suffer from obesity by 150,000 over the next five years, which could prevent more than 30,000 cases of diabetes.

That's why the Center for Science in the Public Interest--publisher of Nutrition Action Healthletter--is working hard to pass laws that let consumers know what they're eating when they eat out.

If you'd like to help us get a law passed in your city, county, or state, visit our Web site (www.menulabeling .org) or send an e-mall to nutritionpolicy@cspinet.org.

Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Center for Science in the Public Interest