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January 22nd, 2008

New York City Fast Food Chains Required to Post Calorie Information on Menus

Health News posted 4 years ago by The Healia Team

I’ll have 1500 calories please… I mean a cheeseburger, large fries, and a large soda.

It is official—New York City fast food restaurants will be required to post calorie information on their menu boards and menus beginning March 31, 2008. The New York City Board of Health voted unanimously today, after months of litigation.

The change will affect restaurants with 15 or more outlets (about 10 percent of all New York City restaurants). A 2005 Community Health Survey found that 53 percent of New York adults are overweight or obese. The city’s health department is hoping that this regulation will combat the obesity problem as well as help New Yorkers make more informed, healthier choices.

In response to the new code, the New York Restaurant Association intends to pursue further litigation against the city, stating that it violates its members' First Amendment rights.