Health: FDA Issues New Rules Mandating Calories Be Posted On Menus At Big Chain Restaurants And Stores

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The FDA issued new rules which will soon show you exactly how many calories you're eating when you dine out.    It's already the law in Philadelphia, large chains have to post calories on menus and now it will be nationwide.

Do you really want that double quarter pounder with cheese that has 750 calories?  Consumer Makeda McBride says, "Sometimes just seeing it makes you go, Mmm, never mind."

The new FDA regulations will require chain restaurants, movie theaters, and pizza joints to post calorie counts on menus, and that includes alcoholic drinks.

Instead of different laws in different cities, a uniform federal regulation will be more cost effective for large chain restaurants, which initially opposed the mandate. Joy Dubost with the National Restaurant Association says, "We've been advocating that there would be a federal law put in place so that from coast-to-coast it would be uniform across the nation."

The FDA hopes posting calories will help Americans make better food choices. Dr. Margaret Hamburg with the FDA says, "People are concerned about their health and want to engage in behaviors to improve their health and prevent disease."

The new rules also apply to vending machines, amusement parks, and prepared foods at grocery and convenience stores. The new menu rules apply to restaurants and food establishments, including bakeries and coffee shops that are part of a chain of 20 or more locations. They have a year to comply. Vending machine operators have two years. Food trucks, airlines and trains are exempt.