Sen. Carper Commends McDonald’s for Leadership in New Menu Labeling Law

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) commended McDonald’s USA for listing nutrition information, including calorie counts and U.S. Department of Agriculture-recommended food groups guidance, on its restaurant and drive-thru menus before federal regulations on menu-labeling take effect next year.  

As part of the Affordable Care Act, the menu labeling provision requires restaurants and other retail food outlets with 20 or more locations nationwide to disclose nutritional information about their standard menu items. Sen. Carper, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was one of the cosponsors who crafted the provision on menu labeling that was included in the Affordable Care Act. 

“I commend McDonald’s for leading the way in our nation’s effort to curb our obesity epidemic,” said Sen. Carper. “Congress passed the menu labeling law to help Americans make healthier choices when they dine out.  This nutritional information will be a ready tool that Americans can use to make healthier choices for themselves and their families, which will help lower medical costs for everyone. We’re all in this fight against obesity together – families, communities, businesses and health care providers – and I hope other businesses will follow McDonald’s lead and implement the new law at their restaurants as soon as possible. I will continue my efforts to help reduce our nation’s health care costs and look forward to the full implementation of the menu labeling law and the Affordable Care Act.”