Consumerist
The new caloric information law in New York City has begun to show itself in restaurants—yesterday we decided against a fudge brownie at Starbucks because it was over 400 calories. A reader named Spoon wrote in to let us know that Blimpie, however, still hasn't bothered to put its nutritional information back on its website. They took it down last summer in a failed attempt to skirt the NYC law before it was rewritten. Now, ten months later, they're still keeping consumers in the dark and incorrectly blaming it on New York City.
Here's the disingenuous "explanation" on their nutrition page:
Nutritional Information for Consumers in New York City
We regret that we can no longer publicly post nutritional information on our website. This development is a result of the New York City Department of Health's decision to pass a regulation requiring restaurants that already publicly provide caloric information, to post product calories on their menu boards - using the same type size as the product listing.
We fully support the intent of this regulation; however, due to the amount of menu items we carry, there simply isn't enough room on our existing menu boards to comply with the regulation. As a result, we will no longer be able to provide nutritional information on our website or to residents and customers of our New York City stores. We regret this inconvenience. If you have questions about this regulation, please contact the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and refer to Health Code Section 81.50.
Until Blimpie finally decides to be forthright about its food, you can find out how many calories are in their items on various third-party websites—here's an example.
"New York City Proposes New Menu Labeling Regulations"
Comments
There's only so much text that you can fit on the internet.
It looks like they are saying, since the information is not publicly available (eg. Blimpie website), they are under no obligation to post the nutritional information in their stores. I don't know much about this whole NYC law, but it is a clever loophole nonetheless.
I don't get it...so they're being spiteful by removing it all together?
@howie_in_az:
Indeed. The size of their menu boards is completely and totally irrelevant to why they "can't" post the information on their webpage.
Here's how I read this:
I agree, that's what they're saying.
If I understand the rest of the article, though, the law no longer has that loophole, which means now they're just omitting it illegally.
I side with Blimpie. Allow(or make) people to be personal responsibility for their diet.
I've never been to a Blimpie but the fact that their name sounds like a disparaging term for a fat person, IMHO, say enough.
@jdame: Be responsible how? By bringing the sub to our lab and measuring the nutritional value ourselves? Or by not shopping at Blimpies?
@B: sorry, i just assume that if see a sub with tons of toppings and of massive size that its probably loaded with calories. Charts shouldn't be required for that, just common sense.
@jdame: I regret to inform you that the best way to give people the ability to be responsible for their diet is to make information available to them. If someone is managing their caloric intake and they want to know how many calories they are ingesting, that's actually taking responsibility for their consumption.
There's very little Blimpies out here in my neck of New York City. They can go f- themselves.
I do check the nutritional information from time to time and use them to make informed purchases. I don't understand how we can do just that if they remove those information.
@DrGirlfriend: Okay, but the city has to pass a regulation to require the restaurant to do this? That's the issue here. what is someone at a fine dining restaurant to do if they are watching caloric intake? The regulation seems a little one sided.
@jdame: Perhaps it's one-sided, but is it a step in the wrong direction? It's a good first step. Relatively few people get fat off fine dining, because the calories at fine restaurants are much more expensive; fast food restaurants serve a larger number of calories to a larger number of people through a relatively static menu. The regulation is easier for them to implement and provides a substantial informational benefit to the targeted population segment (ie, people who get too many calories from fast food).
@howie_in_az: The original law stated that they had to put the information on in-store menus in NYC locations, but only if they already publicly post that information, like on a website. To skirt the law, they remove the website info, then they don't have to put it on their cramped in-store menus.
However, the old rule was scrubbed and it doesn't matter anymore if it's publicly posted or not (unless it was changed yet again). I'm guessing Blimpie hasn't updated everything yet, since it's a pretty new ruling.
well their name is refreshing truth in advertising. How ironic.
weak subject.Get over it.
Whats so hard about making a poster to put next to the order counter, like I've seen in multiple McD's? It's small type, but hell, at least the information is available.
And yes, there are people who count calories, I am one of them. This blows they are skirting the law anyway they can. The healthy people who most like NEVER ATE THERE, will, GASP, find out their food has CALORIES, and might ask to hold the mayo and cheese.
Go Blimpie for supporting a healthy America!
Most people don't give a shit, or else will splurge but just wanna know how many calories they gotta burn at the gym, or in my case, starve myself later LOL.
Get over it, Blimpie.
oh hai blimpie nutritions!
[www.thedailyplate.com]
Welcome to Blimpies, "Fuck you, I'm eating!"
I fail to see how this affects me here in MO. I don't care if you don't want to provide it to people who live in another state. Then don't. I want it. Don't want to provide it? I don't want to shop there.
The smoothie company "Surf City Squeeze" is doing the exact same thing. Here is a quote from their website. This is what you get when you click on the link for nutrition info.
"Nutritional Information for Consumers in New York City
We regret that we can no longer publicly post nutritional information on our website.
This development is a result of the New York City Department of Health's decision to
pass a regulation requiring restaurants that already publicly provide caloric information,
to post product calories on their menu boards - using the same type size as the product
listing.
We fully support the intent of this regulation; however, due to the amount of menu items
we carry, there simply isn't enough room on our existing menu boards to comply with the
regulation. As a result, we will no longer be able to provide nutritional information on
our website or to residents and customers of our New York City stores. We regret this
inconvenience. If you have questions about this regulation, please contact the New York
City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and refer to Health Code Section 81.50.
Nutritional Information for Consumers Residing Outside of New York City
For years we have provided nutritional information on our website, however due to New
York City Health Code 81.50, we regret that we can no longer do so. Customers residing
outside of New York City may contact us at 1-866- 4KAHALA to request nutritional information."
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