Last time I checked, an adult male should consume 2,500 calories a day, and this shake nearly meets that requirement! The saturated fat present in that shake is over 3 times the RDA of 20 grams, which will put you on the fast track for heart disease. Of course, that's if the Type 2 diabetes caused by all 266 grams of that sugar doesn't get you first.

While I believe that people should be held responsible for what they consume, I think corporations need to share just a little responsibility too, and not sell piles of liquid sugar and fat like this. I'd be surprised if even 1 in 100 of the folks that consume that shake know just how bad it is.

On the plus side, it does provide 120% of the RDA for calcium. Oh, and about 1600% of the RDA for Heath candy bars.

(Our tipster, Doug, came up with "death shake.")

Checkers/Rally's, whose fatalistic slogan "You Gotta Eat!" apparently justifies its menu of triple cheeseburger Nascar meals, double Philly cheese steak burgers (that's a double cheeseburger with a cheese steak on top) and thirty-two ounce medium sodas, has over 800 locations across 28 states, more than such chains as Boston Market and Roy Rogers. Unlike most fast food restaurants, which make nutrition information available on their website or in store, Checkers/Rally's is oblivious to such concerns (see picture above). Worse, inquiries by customers have been met with the same canned response:

"Thank you for your interest in the nutritional value of our menu items. We are currently reviewing our nutrition information due to several recent menu changes. We do not have a set date for the release of this information. You can find general information on this topic at www.Nutrition.gov or Food and Nutrition Information Center www.fns.usda.gov/fns or Healthfinder-Gateway to Reliable Consumer Health Information www.healthfinder.gov.
Thank you,
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants"

We emailed the company's PR person and asked why it didn't make this information available, but received no response.
For those wondering if some law requires Checkers/Rally's to make this information available, the answer is, probably not. According to the FDA, restaurants are generally exempt from any requirements to publish nutritional information. The exception to this rule is that whenever a company makes a health claim, such as low calorie, less fat, and so on, they are required to make available nutritional information sufficient to back up this claim. These types of health claims are becoming more common in fast food advertising, but are noticeably absent from Checkers/Rally's; perhaps this is intentional?

A Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Other Retail Establishments Selling Away-From-Home Foods [U.S. F.D.A.]
Checkers' Nutrition Info Missing: What Is Checkers Hiding?
Checkers Drive-In (Nutrition Information Is Not Available)

Skinner called such regulatory activists "professional naysayers" and "CAVE people — Citizens Against Virtually Everything."

Why so hostile, Jim? Worried that people will start ordering medium drinks?

McDonald's chief: Menu calorie rules are 'flawed' [Chicago Tribune via WSJ Health Blog]
(Photo: *nomad* )

If you guessed "Tuna Melt"—-you're smarter than approximately 96% of consumers. The rest either chose incorrectly or admitted that they didn't know. Most thought that the Steakhouse Beef Dip or Baja Chicken with Bacon had the most calories. The Steakhouse Beef Dip with cheese and dressing actually has the fewest calories, with 730, whereas the Tuna Melt weighs in at a hefty 1,420.

"Almost everyone failed this quiz," said Lucy Culp, government affairs director the American Heart Association in WA. "Restaurants don't make customers guess when it comes to prices; they show them on the menu. There's no reason to keep vital nutrition information from consumers, and many good reasons to provide it."

Another question that gave consumers trouble:
Which item at McDonald's has the most calories?

• A Big Mac
  
• Two sausage McGriddles
  
• A large chocolate shake
  
• Four regular hamburgers
  
• Aren't you sure?

The correct answer is the large chocolate shake at 1,160 calories. Did you guess correctly? Most consumers didn't. Only 10% correctly identified the chocolate shake as the item with the most calories.

You can check out the poll results and the report from the CSPI by clicking here.
(Photo:Morton Fox)

The Department issued a triumphant-sounding press release:

"Today's decision is a victory which will give New Yorkers the calorie information they need - where they need it - to make informed, healthier choices," said New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden. "We hope these restaurants will accept the judgment and become part of the solution. This regulation could prevent at least 150,000 New Yorkers from becoming obese and prevent at least 30,000 New Yorkers from developing diabetes and other health concerns over the next 5 years."
"The New York City Health Code provision in dispute — which makes calorie information available at the point of purchase - is a critical component in the efforts to address the obesity epidemic," said Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo of the New York City Law Department, which litigated the case on behalf of the Health Department. "We are very pleased that Judge Holwell concluded that this provision is not pre-empted by federal regulations, and that it does not violate the First Amendment. We are confident that Judge Holwell's ruling will be upheld if it is appealed."

What's more, the judge bought the big picture argument behind the rule: "It seems reasonable to expect that some consumers will used the information disclosed ... to select lower calorie meals when eating at covered restaurants and that these choices will lead to a lower incidence of obesity," he wrote.

Judge: NYC Can Force Chain Restaurants to Post Calorie Counts [WSJ Health Blog]
Read The Court Ruling (PDF) [NYC]
Read The Compliance Guide For Restaurants (PDF) [NYC]

PREVIOUSLY: Wendy's Sends Scary Legal Threats Over Photoshopped Menu That Includes Calorie Info
NYC To Vote On New And Improved Menu Labeling Regulation
60 Minutes Tackles The Menu Labeling Controversy
New York City Proposes New Menu Labeling Regulations

San Francisco's proposal would cover about 200 restaurants with over 20 locations. Each would be required to pay an annual $350 fee to fund a half-time compliance inspector.

San Francisco joins New York City and Washington's King County in the battle to protect consumers with information, a fight that has not gone well for municipalities. California Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger recently vetoed a bill that would require nutrition labeling throughout the state, and New York City was barred by a judge from enforcing its regulations until April 15, when the plan may be tossed altogether.

Subway is the only restaurant we know of to voluntarily display nutritional information on their menus, and apparently, they haven't been driven out of business. Go figure.

San Francisco passes menu label ordinance [ThePacker.com]
San Francisco Mayor Signs Menu Labeling Bill [CSPI]

Instead of requiring restaurants who "already provide nutritional information" to do so on their menus, the new regulation will compel restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to post calorie information on menus or menu boards.

The new regulation will go into effect on March 31.

Health Department Pushes For Calorie Listings Again [NY1]

I ordered the Zesty Chicken Border Bowl Fresco style without dressing. On the menu at the store, it reads under 9 grams of fat but on online, it reads 13 grams of fat. Please compare your special nutrition page for Fresco menu items to the Nutrition Calculator on the Taco Bell site. I made sure that I chose "Fresco Style" on the calculator and to be advertising something as under 9 grams of fat, but really having 13 is very misleading and wrong.

—--

Really, what's 4 grams of fat? But my point is that if you go the extra mile to order something that has under 9 grams of fat, then it should really come out that way.

I've attached a screen capture of the Taco Bell webpage where I compared the two items. Clearly have different amounts of fat.

UPDATE: Rob, the Director of Public Relations for Taco Bell, writes in to let us know that the nutritional information on the "Fresco Menu" is correct.

The nutritional information calculator on Taco Bell's website "inadvertently includes red strips" when it calculates the info for the Fresco Zesty Chicken Border Bowl. The actual bowl contains 8g of fat and 350 calories, as advertised. Rob says: "Appreciate you bringing this to our attention as we are currently working to fix it."

Food / Calories
10. Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece): 1270
9: Jack In The Box OREO Cookie Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1290
8. Nathan's Chicken Tender Platter: 1300
7. Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Malt: 1300
6. Hardee's Double Bacon Cheese Thickburger: 1300
5. Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard: 1320
4. Hardee's Monster Thickburger: Calories: 1420
3. Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger: 1520
2. Nathan's Fish N Chips: 1537
1. White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Louisville region): 1680

Print out this list and keep it in your wallet. When the robomutants attack, you'll want to know which restaurants to raid to most quickly regain all the energy you'll be burning fighting the bloodthirsty genetic deviants.

The 272 Fast Food Items Highest In Calories [ACalorieCounter]
(Photo: Getty)

Regular readers will be familiar with all the twists and turns in the report, but its worth watching if only to see Wendy's try to convince Lesley Stahl that putting calories on menu boards is impossible and that the chain isn't worried about sales dropping.

Also included in the report is an interview with Brian Wansink, a nutrition and marketing professor at Cornell University and author of Mindless Eating. If you're at all interested in the ways that food marketing manipulates you, you should check out Brian's research at Cornell's food and brand lab. One of the best parts of the report is the look on one customer's face when Wansink tells him the Subway combo he thought had 300 calories really has 1300.

Wansink then asked another consumer who had chosen the same combo:

"Well, let's say for instance that we would have had the calories listed on the menu when you ordered something like that. Would that influence what you ordered?" Wansink asked a man.

"Absolutely. I don't think I would have gotten it. I mean, 1,350 calories for a Subway," the man replied.

Expert: Many Underestimate Calories [60 Minutes]

Deal with it, Wendy's! BK! Starbucks! Subway is making you all look bad. Put some healthy crap on the menus. Quick, before anyone notices. People will still order the Bacon Triple Stack Mocha Latte Fries.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REPEAL AND REENACT §81.50 OF THE NEW YORK CITY HEALTH CODE(PDF) [via CSPI]
(Photo:Jay Adan)

From brochures to tray liners, many restaurants are responding to consumer demand by providing nutritional information to their customers in a variety of ways. Further, more and more companies are making detailed information available online, allowing consumers to compare one restaurant's healthy dining options to another. Inflexible mandates applied sporadically are not an effective way to continue our progress in educating Californians about healthy living. Restaurants throughout California have demonstrated that they are committed to working with me to promote this goal.

The CSPI points out that a poll conducted by the California Center For Public Health Advocacy found that 84% of Californians wanted calorie info on fast food menus. The poll also discovered that people were awful at estimating nutritional information:

The poll found that a large majority (84%) of Californians support requiring fast-food and chain restaurants to post nutritional information on menus and menu boards. Support for mandatory menu labeling was strong among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. The finding mirrors results of a 2004 Field Research Poll.

The poll also found that an overwhelming number of Californians are unable to identify from among typical fast-food and restaurant menu items those with the fewest calories, or the least salt, the most fat, or the most calories. Not a single respondent answered all four questions correctly. Less than 1 percent answered three of four questions correctly, only 5 percent answered two of the four questions correctly, and nearly 68 percent were unable to answer even one question correctly. Scores were equally poor regardless of education or income levels.

Californians Overwhelmingly Support Mandatory Menu Labeling [CCPHA]
Veto (PDF) [State of California]
Menu Labeling Veto a "Giant, Greasy Stain" on Schwarzenegger Health Record [CSPI]

PREVIOUSLY: California Assembly Passes Menu Labeling Legislation

The "Hugo"? What the heck is a Hugo?

The Hugo is McDonald's new drink size, available only in certain markets, the Hugo is 42 oz and when filled with regular soda weighs in at an impressive 410 calories.

It's priced as low as $0.89. A hell of a deal! But who needs that much soda? From the NYT:

"People, I believe, tend to drink more during the summer," said Danya Proud, a McDonald's spokeswoman. "People are out and about."

She said the Hugo was being offered because of customer demand, and so far, it has sold quite well. Ms. Proud cautioned about comparing the Hugo to McDonald's old Supersize menu.

"That's not what this is about," she said. "You have to put it in context with the rest of our menu."

Did McDonald's Give In to Temptation? [NYT]
(Photo:Noah Berger/NYT)

Anyhow, the CSPI says:

Last night, the King County, Washington Board of Health voted to require food service establishments to phase out their use of artificial trans fat and to list nutrition information on chain restaurant menus. The menu labeling rule only affects chain restaurants with 10 or more outlets and that have standardized menu items. Starting in August 2008, those restaurants will be required to list calories on menu boards, and calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat, and sodium on printed menus. Like a New York City regulation adopted last December, King County's artificial trans fat phase out occurs in two steps. Food service establishments have until April 1, 2008, to switch to trans-fat-free frying oils and shortenings and until February 1, 2009, to remove artificial trans fat from other products.

In Seattle, Menu Labeling Is In, Trans Fat is Out [CSPI]
Example Starbucks Menu [CSPI]

PREVIOUSLY: Subway Is Not Ashamed: First Fast Food Restaurant To Put Calorie Info On Menus

The result is hilarious. From NEW YORK STATE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION VS NEW YORK CITY BOARD OF HEALTH:

Dunkin' Donuts submitted a sample menu board in an attempt to demonstrate that calorie information would not fit along with price information. From that sample, the Department's director of graphics produced a replica of the menu board with comparable fonts and layout to demonstrate that calories could be listed easily and visibly, as shown in the illustrations below, and in Mr. Krueger's declaration.. These modifications, as well as the earlier examples, provide clear evidence that calorie listings required by the regulations are feasible to implement with basic graphic design techniques.

Dunkin' Donut's sample menu is on the left, NYC's on the right. We were initially skeptical of this regulation, but have to admit that the Subway menu looks really nice and doesn't seem weird or gross at all. And, since the regulation only applies to big restaurant chains who have already had their nutritional info calculated... We fail to see what the big deal is. For background on what the regulation is and who it applies to, click here.

New York State Restaurant Association VS New York Board of Heath, New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, (Legal Brief, PDF) [CSPI]

PREVIOUSLY: NYC Restaurant Group Sues Over Nutritional Info Regulation

Ruby Tuesday's "Fresh Chicken & Broccoli Pasta." Pity the poor diner who thinks this healthy sounding entr e is on the light side: Thanks to its parmesan cream sauce and layer of melted cheese, the 2,060 calories and 128 grams of fat make it the equivalent of two 12-ounce sirloin steaks, two buttered baked potatoes, and two Caesar salads.

Uno Chicago Grill's "Pizza Skins." "We start with our famous deep dish crust, add mozzarella and red bliss mashed potatoes, and top it off with crispy bacon, cheddar, and sour cream," says the menu. The menu doesn't disclose that this fusion of pizza and potato skins—which is meant to precede a meal of pizza—packs 2,050 calories, 48 grams of saturated fat, and 3,140 milligrams of sodium (more than a day's worth). "Even if you split it with two other people, it's like eating dinner before your dinner even hits the table," Jacobson said.

X-treme Eating (PDF) [CSPI]

That's a lot of oil, but split it up over 365 days, and it's not quite as scary. What's worse? How about eating a Hardee's 1,420-calorie Monster Thickburger, which gives you the privilege of ingesting 107 grams of fat in one sitting. Americans aren't shying away from the mega-calorie foods, according to new reports. Hopefully no one does THAT every day.

But telling you that fast food is bad for you and that fried slices of potato are full of fat is not exactly surprising. And there's no way that awareness of oil in food is going to stop us from eating the occasional bag of chips. In reality, we just wanted to use this photo in a post.

A packet of crisps a day? That's 5 litres of cooking oil in a year [Times Online]