https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • Magazine
    • Back
    • Digital Editions
    • Reprints & Reuse
    • Subscribe to GovPro
    • Manage GovPro Subscription
    • Advertise
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
acc.com

Administration


Laws promoting healthy diets see some results

Laws promoting healthy diets see some results

Surveys show ordinances change eating habits.
  • Written by Anne Martin
  • 1st January 2011

Cities and counties throughout the country are passing ordinances aimed at reducing obesity and related health problems. At least some of those laws are changing consumer behavior and are being replicated at state and federal levels.

New York began requiring restaurants to post nutrition information of food on menus in 2008, and several other local governments passed similar laws until Congress approved a law last year that requires restaurants with 20 or more outlets to post calorie counts on menus. In 2009, New York’s health department surveyed 1,600 people and found that 25 percent said the nutrition information affected what they purchased. Also, 36 percent of chain restaurant customers said they always consider calories when making food purchases, an increase from 29 percent before the regulation. Also, Starbucks consumers in New York began switching to lower-calorie food options after the menu labeling law was passed, according to a study released in January 2010 by the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Santa Clara County, Calif., passed a menu labeling law in 2008, and in 2010 it passed a law barring fast-food restaurants from including toys in children’s meals with excessive calories, sodium, fat or added sweeteners. In November, San Francisco passed a similar law.

Studies have not yet shown how the new law is affecting children’s food choices, says Santa Clara’s Health Officer Marty Fenstersheib, but he thinks the law is prompting restaurants to provide more healthy choices. “Burger King and McDonald’s have started offering low-fat milk and apple sticks,” he says.

Fenstersheib says local health laws build momentum for change on a larger scale. He points to Santa Clara County’s menu labeling law, which preceded the state’s and the federal government’s labeling laws. “The actions we take locally have a great impact on the actions that are taken by the state and even by the federal government,” he says.

Will there be a Boston Soda Party?

The restaurant and food industry, along with advocates for limited government, oppose laws like Santa Clara County’s ban on toys in children’s meals. They also contend that some of the measures, such as soda taxes that Baltimore and Philadelphia unsuccessfully tried to levy recently, are aimed at generating revenue more than improving health, says Justin Wilson, senior analyst for the Washington-based Center for Consumer Freedom. “Taxing food is about the worst thing you can do,” Wilson says. “It’s a regressive tax.”

Anne Martin is a Chicago-based freelance writer.

Related Stories

  • Gallup report: Obesity costs cities millions
  • Podcast: San Francisco Supervisor explains kids’ meal ordinance
  • City calls for healthier fast-food children’s meals
  • California county bans toys in fattening kids’ meals
  • San Francisco mayor plans to veto Happy Meal toy ban

Tags: Administration

Related


  • Will digital transformation of city procurement hold up beyond the pandemic?
    Now is the time for procurement to re-evaluate the free or co-opted tools that enabled service delivery when the pandemic first began and invest in the digital tools that will help streamline RFP evaluation, foster stakeholder collaboration, and maintain compliance during the pandemic and beyond
  • Minneapolis cuts millions from police budget
    The Minneapolis City Council approved a budget that will move $8 million in police department funding to mental health and violence prevention programs. The plan was unanimously approved on Dec. 10, according to The Washington Post. “Thanks and congratulations to everyone who advocated for these important investments to make our city safer and more just,” […]
  • Facing state crackdown on indoor dining, Detroit extends outdoor dining program
    Detroit is extending an outdoor dining program to help restaurants stay afloat while a statewide ban on indoor dining takes place. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a three-week pause on dine-in service, movie theaters, casinos, in-person high school and college learning and entertainment venues that began on Nov. 18, according to Crain’s Detroit Business. The […]
  • Biden’s relief plan includes $350 billion for local and state government
    President-Elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion relief plan Thursday to combat the COVID-19 crisis and the economic downturn it has caused. In addition to $400 million to combat the pandemic specifically, the proposal includes $350 billion for state, local and tribal governments that would help them to bridge budget shortfalls, help public works maintain […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Biden cabinet picks poised to bring municipal experience to national level
  • Promoting municipal employees’ volunteer efforts
  • How Philadelphia is aiming for zero waste
  • Colorado county refuses to enforce state orders as COVID-19 level increases

White papers


How a unified HR system helps one public safety organization manage crews, payroll, and more in a single platform

7th January 2021

Your Roadmap to COVID-19 Funding

18th December 2020

The One Where Everyone Wins: A Mutually Beneficial Contracting Method

10th December 2020
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

The latest episode The Young Leaders Podcast focuses on Cyril Jefferson. Cyril is the youngest African American to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Hillsboro, Oregon is pioneering a new #renewableenergy generation technology through a partnership with… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

27th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic on #telework was swift and profound. Now, the big question is whether – and to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Get ready for the can't-miss webinar on how to kickstart your efficiency improvement plan with Luke Anderson of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

Among all states headed into the 2020 general election, which ones have voting populations that are the most demogr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

26th October 2020
AmerCityCounty

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in our readership survey to help us shape future content so that we c… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

See how cities different approaches to distribute masks in their communities >> spr.ly/6010GAPLa

23rd October 2020
AmerCityCounty

While #facialrecognition is a powerful tool that can improve law enforcement efficiency, that doesn’t necessarily t… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

23rd October 2020

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X