NRA: National Restaurant Association Stands Up for Restaurants, Fights Unworkable Marketing Guidelines

National Restaurant Association Stands Up for Restaurants, Fights Unworkable Marketing Guidelines

(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association issued the following statement today as the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade and the Subcommittee on Health held a joint hearing entitled, “Food Marketing: Can 'Voluntary' Government Restrictions Improve Children's Health?” The federal government’s Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children guidelines have come under scrutiny since proposed earlier this year.

“The National Restaurant Association appreciates the work of the House Energy and Commerce Committee members, particularly Chairman Upton, Chairwoman Bono Mack and Chairman Pitts,” said Joan McGlockton, Vice President of Industry Affairs and Food Policy for the National Restaurant Association. “The National Restaurant Association shares the Working Group’s desire to ensure children have healthful options when dining out. Restaurants have expanded the number of healthful menu options available to consumers. The Association and our members are committed to taking a leadership role in providing parents with menu choices and information to make informed decisions when dining out.

“We are pleased that Working Group members have considered stakeholders’ comments since first proposing these severe marketing restrictions. Nevertheless, we remain concerned that the Working Group’s nutrition guidelines contradict established nutrition principles and ban marketing of many healthful products. We believe IWG should withdraw the recommendations and conduct the study first required by Congress.”