by Missy Dickerson

Created on: June 26, 2009

The Connecticut House of Representatives on June 2, 2009 passed the bill for nutritional facts to be displayed on menus, but the question is, will it become law? The Federal Government has already made a stand to protect the public by forcing manufactures of food products to list the nutritional facts on their packaging. This labeling requirement is part of the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act that passed in 1990. Not only does the NLEA target the responsibility of food manufactures, it also focuses on chain restaurants with 20 or more locations nationwide. Federally, the larger chains must make their nutritional facts available upon request, but some states like Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon and Connecticut are wanting more for their consumers by passing a bill that will further protect the consumer by forcing restaurant chains with 15 or more locations nationwide to label the nutritional facts of the food they serve on the menus, food boards and or drive through menus. This is a step in the right direction and causes the restaurants to be held accountable for the food they serve and why shouldn't they?

The State of Connecticut wants to see this bill become law and that is evident by the bill being passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 89-60. However, Connecticut has one last hurdle to overcome before it can help the consumer and that hurdle is getting Connecticut's Governor Jodi Rell to pass the bill. Even though the thought of protecting people sounds like a no brainer, there are still people in legislation that have the attitude that the sole responsibility of gathering nutritional facts from restaurants rest squarely on the shoulders of the consumer. This clearly is demonstrated when the Governors spokesman was quoted as saying "the governor has said publicly if you walk into a restaurant and order a bacon double cheeseburger with the large fries, you probably don't need a sign to tell you there are healthier options out there." If the spokesman for the Governor is correct, than the question becomes, what's the nutritional responsibility of the restaurant owner; none?

Taking responsibility of what goes into your mouth is definitely your responsibility. However, how can the consumer make an educated decision about what is best for his or her family and themselves if they don't know the facts? Wasn't this the intention behind the NLEA in the first place? Yes, the spokesman for the Governor is correct by saying the consumer could surmise from the meal the general caloric value of a "bacon double cheeseburger", but why can't the consumer know the actual nutritional value of the food they buy? What is the harm in making the nutritional facts easy to find for the consumer? Are the restaurant owners trying to hide something? The only harm that is apparent to me in the way of the restaurant owner is the potential for a loss in profit, if the consumer chooses the healthier option. I'm sure a salad is cheaper than Veal Parmesan. I think the philosophy of the "customer is always right" should apply in this case. The customer is paying the restaurant owners salary, so why is so unreasonable for the customer to ask for the nutritional facts to be presented to them in a clear and concise manner that is easy to obtain? The answer to that question is simple; it's not unreasonable.

In conclusion, Connecticut should pass this law and prove to its constituents that their legislation cares more about their citizens and their well-being then the monetary gains or losses of a flourishing restaurant chain.

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