Behind the Labels

Fast food corporations have long fought our right to know about what’s in the meals they serve us. Why? If we knew, we might be pretty disturbed at what we’d find. Find out how patrons are demanding the right to know more about the food we eat – and how fast food giants are trying to stop them.

Nutritional Information – Why isn’t it on our restaurant menus?

Did you know a McDonald’s Premium Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad with dressing has as many calories as a quarter pounder with cheese?[1] Fast food corporations hope you don’t find out.

We’ve had nutritional information on our grocery products for years. Why not fast food? For decades, restaurants like McDonald’s have been fighting to avoid telling you just how unhealthy its food really is.

Menu Labeling Works

Calorie counts on menu boards could help stem the obesity epidemic by helping more people choose healthier products when eating out – and forcing fast food giants to offer more low-calorie meals.

Even early studies and anecdotal evidence show that menu labeling works. Find out more about forward-thinking cities that are helping protect our right to know, and how – from New York to San Francisco - the fast food giants are trying to squirm their way out of their responsibility to the public.

1. McDonald’s Nutrition Facts for Popular Menu Items. http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutrition_facts.html. (accessed February 11, 1009).

Nutrition Facts photo: http://www.glenbrody.com/images/whiskey_nutrition.gif