AHA Opposes Weak Nutrition Legislation

House Resolution 262, which is opposed by the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the majority of other national public health organizations, is scheduled to come up for a vote in the House Environmental Health Committee on Tuesday, April 28 in Springfield.

HR 262 calls on the United States Congress to pass the federal LEAN Act, a federal law requiring restaurants to provide calorie and nutritional information. Although well intentioned, HR 262 supports a bill that was written by the junk-food industry as a weak alternative to the MEAL Act, which is the stronger legislation supported by the public health advocates.

Tell Your Legislator the LEAN Act is too Lean When it Comes to Protecting Your Heart!

AHA Position on menu labeling legislation:

AHA strongly opposes the LEAN Act.

‘LEAN’ Act
Labeling Education and Nutrition Act

· No requirement to provide calories on menus next to menu items.

Restaurants allowed to communicate calories through ineffective means, such as on a sign, on a separate insert, in an appendix, or in a ‘supplemental’ menu.

· Prevents states or localities from stronger laws or regulations.

· No requirement for foods sold in vending machines.

AHA supports the Senator Harkin’s MEAL Act
‘MEAL’ Act

Menu Education and Labeling Act

· Requires calories, fat and salt to be listed on menus of all chain restaurants.

· Requires calories of foods sold in vending machines to be posted.

· Does not over-rule (‘preempt’) states or cities wishing to pass stronger laws or regulations.