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Considering the impact food has on health and the flow-on costs food-related maladies generate as a consequence to the individual and health system it seems to be a no-brainer decision to have all restaurants required, nay say I,mandated, to list calories and fat grams on menus.

It is self-evident that the individual, particularly in the western-world and even in the wealthy segments of the developing and third world knows not how to manage their diet. It is deeply embedded in our psyche that we require food to survive - it is one of the few "must haves" in our life. Throughout our battle to survive on this planet food has always been a resource we have had to fight for and we know no other way, it is hard-wired into our being. When we reach a comfortable living standard where food is no longer an issue, as far as procuring it is concerned, we do not, by and large, have the capacity to restrain or refrain when it comes to feeding-up on as much as possible. If you do not believe this to be the case, why are there so many medical advisories about over-eating and being over-weight, not to mention the oceans of businesses operating in the health-food and weight-loss arena?!

We are all required to take responsibility for our own health, not knowing what one is ingesting, particularly when ones health is at risk, could be a life-threatening risk. Like any activity that has life-changing consequences, governments are, in my view, bound to act by mandating that at least the significant information be made available to the consumer. Who knows, there may come a time where we may be prohibited by legislation to eat certain things based on our physical constitution; It seems obvious to me that in many cases we are incapable of doing so ourselves, because our nature does not allow us to - it goes to the roots of our survival instincts.

Learn more about this author, Max Gallo.
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