WASHINGTON, Mar 3, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Legislation introduced in
Maryland's General Assembly requires restaurants to ban trans fats and list
calories of foods on the menu.
One bill, sponsored by state Sen. David Harrington, a Democrat, and Delegate
Doyle Niemann, a Democrat, would require calorie counts on fast-food chains'
menu boards and expanded nutrition information on chain restaurants' printed
menus.
The menu labeling bill, HB 601, requires calories on menu boards used by
fast-food chains and calories, saturated plus trans fat, carbohydrates, and
sodium on printed menus at sit-down chain restaurants with at least 15 outlets.
Another bill, introduced by Delegate James Hubbard, a Democrat, would require
all restaurants to phase out their use of partially hydrogenated oil --
artificial trans fat -- by October 2010. Baltimore and Montgomery County, Md.,
have already passed curbs on artificial trans fat.
"Customers need calorie information at the point-of-ordering to make informed
decisions," Michelle Forman, government affairs manager at the Center for
Science in the Public Interest in Washington said in a statement.
"How else would one know that a plain bagel -- without cream cheese -- at
Dunkin' Donuts has 120 more calories than a jelly-filled donut? Or that a large
chocolate shake at McDonald's has more calories than three hamburgers?"
Both bills are are supported by the non-profit Center for Science in the Public
Interest.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International