DeLauro Statement on Menu Labeling and the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015

WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement regarding menu labeling and the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015.

“When Congress passed standardized menu labeling in 2010, the goal was to arm Americans with the information they need to make informed nutritional decisions for themselves and their families. The language was built on consensus and compromise and worked out between a wide variety of interests, including many industry partners. Scott DeFife, executive vice president of the National Restaurant Association, praised the law, stating that ‘it sets a clear national standard across the country.’ However, now certain sectors of industry want to tear down the progress we have made.

“The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 would weaken this crucial step to combat the obesity epidemic in the United States. The bill increases consumer confusion, denies consumers the right to nutritional information, and weakens enforcement and consumer protection. In a time when Americans are eating nearly half of their meals and snacks outside the home, this bill does a major disservice to the American people who want to make health conscious decisions.

“Today, more than one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. And children eat almost twice as many calories at a restaurant than they do at home.  The impact on our children alone should be reason enough to oppose any measure that undermines a consumer’s ability to make informed, nutritious choices at meal time.”