Subscribe to the RSS feed.Multnomah County Commissioners votes YES on menu labeling
By:
CHP | Posted on: August 3rd, 2008
| 
1 comments
| Share: 
Categories:
Economic Issues •
Policies and Laws •
Nutrition •
Public Health
“We did It!”
That’s what Mel Rader, Project Director for Upstream Public Health Advocacy Network, wrote to friends and colleagues announcing the Multnomah County Commission’s vote of 4-to-1 vote in favor. Rader added in his e-mail that “several commissioners mentioned the amazing public support on this issue.”
The rule will affect chains with more than 15 outlets nationwide, including McMenamins, Outback Steakhouse and Starbucks. When the rule goes into effect in January, Portland will be the fourth major city to impose menu listing, along with New York, Seattle and San Francisco.
“I believe people have a right to know what they eat,” Commissioner Jeff Cogen said.
What do you think?
Among the issues raised during the process were:
State Sen. Margaret Carter said the county should wait for the state to lead the way, arguing that the vote would leave other counties in the state feeling hopeless and might hinder state legislation. “By voting on this, you will send a message that this is a Multnomah County issue only,” Carter said.
Do you agree?
Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey, who cast the lone no vote, said “we’re targeting a few, we’re not targeting all restaurants,” and “that’s not fair.”
Alan Shaffer, owner of the only Wingstop franchise in Oregon, on Southeast 82nd Avenue in Portland, said he didn’t think it was fair that he had to post information when his local competitors, such as Portland’s two-location Fire on the Mountain, don’t. “That’s not a level playing field,” he said.
What are your thoughts?
Or how about this question: If people are concerned about their health and diet, what are they doing at fast-food joints in the first place?
1 Comment:
Next entry: 
Previous entry: 
Back to main
Congratulations to Multnomah County for being the fifth jurisdiction in the country to pass menu labeling. California is poised to become the first state in the nation to pass menu labeling. California SB 1420 passed both houses and is now awaiting a decision by their governor on whether to sign the bill.
The California Center for Public Health Advocacy has been pushing hard for menu labeling. The restaurant industry keeps saying the restaurants should be able to provide nutrition information on brochures, instead of on menus. This led to what I consider the QUOTE OF THE YEAR:
“There is not a single public health crisis in the history of mankind that has been solved by handing out brochures,” said Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.