Fast-food chains and other restaurants have been under heavy criticism (pun intended) for years about how healthy the food is that they serve. Health groups, consumer advocates, and government agencies have all stepped up their efforts. In some locales (such as New York City), there are already regulations in place requiring that calories be placed on menus. In other locales, such requirements are coming soon.
Why is the pressure on dining establishements today higher then ever? It is a result of the rising obesity rate in the United States and other industrialized countries, and concern about what children are eating.
With the preceding in mind, McDonald’s — consistently one of the biggest targets of critics — announced that it would voluntarily begin placing calorie counts on menus in ALL of its UNITED STATES restaurants.
As reported by Lisa Baertlein for Reuters: “A Big Mac and large fries? They’ll cost you 1,050 calories, and beginning next week, McDonald’s will tell its customers that in bright lights on its fast-food menus. The world’s No. 1 hamburger chain said on Wednesday it is going to start listing calorie information on menus in some 14,000 U.S. restaurants and drive-throughs — ahead of a national rule that will require larger restaurant chains to make such disclosures. McDonald’s Corp. is a trend setter for restaurants and its move in this arena — while prompted by regulations and pressure from public health activists — is likely to force other restaurant operators to follow quickly.”
This question remains: What about calorie counts on menus in countries OUTSIDE the United States?
Click the photo for Baertlein’s full story.
Photo by Reuters/Mario Anzuoni
Retailing: From A to Z 
I believe that putting the calories on the menu is a great idea. It shows people exactly the amount they are eating and will be good for people who are on a calorie diet and can only eat so much. I think that at every restaurant or any place that sells food should have this.