Perhaps in the quest to reshape our image as one of the fattest cities in America, the Philadelphia City Council signed into law the city’s menu labeling bill Thursday, requiring all chain restaurants with 15 or more locations, whether in the city or elsewhere, to display the nutritional content of their food.
The nutritional information for each menu must include calories, fat, trans fat, carbohydrates and sodium. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.
So what does this mean for us Philadelphians?
It means that our morning coffee with cream and chocolate frosted donut are no longer a pick-me-up to start the day. They are 480 calories and 25 grams of fat staring us in the face before we even reach work.
It means that we will no longer be able to stop by Qdoba for lunch and guiltlessly consume a chicken burrito, with only the knowledge that we are satiating our hunger. It means that we will be racked with the guilt of actually knowing that our chicken burrito with guacamole and sour cream is a whopping 1,450 calories, 68 grams of fat and 2,900 grams of sodium. Sick.
Currently a similar bill is in place in New York City and a measure is being considered in California.
According to Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "This is one of the few places in people's diets where in a split-second decision they can save hundreds, even thousands, of calories.” (Per the Associated Press)
Yes, yes, Margo. We know. We also know that ignorance is bliss. And apparently a fat ass.
