Ontario's doctors commend New Jersey for putting calories on the menu
"We are facing a growing obesity epidemic across the province, especially amongst children," said
Just last week, Statistics
The OMA has called for:
- Chain restaurants and school cafeterias to voluntarily post calorie counts on their menus and menu boards; - The provincial government to enact menu board labelling legislation to ensure that consumers throughout the province have equal access to this information; and - An education campaign to help inform Ontarians about the impact of caloric intake on weight gain and obesity.
According to information from the Center for Science and the Public Interest caloric menu labelling is gaining momentum south of the border. To date, over 25 states in the US have implemented, passed or introduced legislation requiring calories to be posted on menus and menu boards. In addition, menu board labelling is now included as part of the US federal health care reform bill.
In Ontario, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board became the first to take action on this initiative when it began displaying the calorie counts of all menu items this past September. In addition, 35 Ontario municipalities have passed resolutions of support the OMA's call for caloric menu labelling.
"The evidence is in. We need to take concrete action to ensure that the rate of obesity doesn't continue to rise," said
For further information: For further information: OMA Media Relations at (416) 340-2862 or toll-free at 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2862
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