Calorie, sodium counts coming to fast-food menus near you - Action News
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Calorie, sodium counts coming to fast-food menus near you

Nickel Belt MPP and NDP health critic France Glinas is again introducing legislation that would force chain restaurants to post the amount of calories and sodium in food on menus.

Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas tabling legislation for the sixth time

The province of Ontario is one step closer to requiring that certain restaurants, including fast food chains, list the calories and sodium content of each item on their menu. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

France Glinassays it looks like the sixth time will be a charm.

The Nickel Belt MPP and NDPhealth critic is again introducinglegislation that would force chain restaurants to post the amount of calories and sodiumin your food right on the the menuand it looks like it has the support of the majorityLiberals.

Glinas said this is the sixth time she has tabled the proposed rules, now called theHealthy Decisions for Healthy Eating Act.

Glinas saidin the fight against obesity, the strategy gets results.

"We have tested it in Ontarioand, in general, people consume380 calories less per purchase when they see the calories right in front of them."

Gelinas notedthe practice of posting calories on fast-food menu boardshas been happening in parts of the US with success for a number of years.

She said it seemspeople still eat out, they just choose healthier items more often whichhasprompted some businesses to offer items with fewer calories and less salt.

Gelinas said she has every confidence thebill will pass this time.

"I know for a fact this time because the Ministry of Health has copied my bill," she said.

"So, they have introduced the exact same bill, and even stolen the title of it. So I know that we're off to a good start."

The governmentpromised last October to introduce legislationthat would make menu labelling mandatory.