Rationale and evidence for menu-labeling legislation.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Menu-labeling legislation is a proposed public health intervention for poor diet and obesity that requires chain restaurants to provide nutrition information on menus and menu boards. The restaurant industry has strongly opposed menu-labeling legislation. Using scientific evidence, this paper counters industry arguments against menu labeling by demonstrating that consumers want chain restaurant nutrition information to be disclosed; the current methods of providing nutrition information are inadequate; the expense of providing nutrition information is minimal; the government has the legal right to mandate disclosure of information; consumers have the right to know nutrition information; a lack of information reduces the efficiency of a market economy; and menu labeling has the potential to make a positive public health impact.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Roberto, CA; Schwartz, MB; Brownell, KD

Published Date

  • December 2009

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 37 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 546 - 551

PubMed ID

  • 19944923

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-2607

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0749-3797

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.07.015

Language

  • eng