The compromise proposal would require restaurants that operate more than 20 stores nationwide to include calorie information on menus and menu boards, and to make "immediately available" detailed nutritional information, like fat, sodium, and sugar content, in written form. Calorie information would also be required on vending machines when the owner operates more than 20 machines.

The passage of state laws in New York City, California, and other states and cities have seen some chain restaurants begin posting nutritional information on store menus, but other restaurants still don't even post the info online. According to one survey [PDF], 82% of New Yorkers polled said seeing the calorie counts on menus affected their orders.

The menu-labeling proposal has support from government officials, public health agencies, and other interested parties, including the strange bedfellows of Dunkin Donuts and Center for Science in the Public Interest. The measure is expected to be included as part of the health care legislation offered later this year.

(Photo: tokyohanna)

Now it seems that the inevitable lawsuits have begun, (though we know of no direct connection between these particular test results and the lawsuits.)

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says that a lawsuit filed earlier this month in King County Superior Court claims that Applebee's Weight Watchers menu has two to three times the amount of fat advertised.

"Applebee's made certain representations ... and independent lab tests showed that the representations they made were way off," says Jason Epstein, an attorney with Premier Law Group.

This isn't the only lawsuit to be filed about the issue. There's another one in Kansas. Applebee's parent company has responded to that one, telling the Washington Business Journal that the lawsuit is without merit.

According to the lab tests reported by WXYZ in Detroit, Applebee's Cajun Lime Tilapia was supposed to contain 6 grams of fat, but really had 14.3 grams of fat. Applebee's Garlic Herb Chicken also was advertised at 6 grams of fat, but really had 18. If you'd like to take a look at the results, click here. (PDF)

The P-I says that the Washington lawsuit is seeking class action status.

Suit accuses Applebee's of understating calorie counts [Seattle P-I] (Thanks, Rob!)

The legislation is similar to controversial regulations in New York City and King County, Washington, but if Governor Schwarzenegger signs this bill, California will be the first state to make nutrition information on menu boards a requirement.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is happy about the bill:

"Without nutrition information at the point of decision-making in chain restaurants, it's hard for people to make informed choices for themselves and their children," said Margo G. Wootan, director of nutrition policy at CSPI. "Who would expect that some coffee drinks at Starbucks have more calories than a Big Mac, or that a tuna salad sub from Subway has more calories than a roast beef sub?"

California Legislature Passes Historic Menu Labeling Bill [CSPI]
(Photo:CSPI)

PREVIOUSLY: Seattle To Require Calorie Labeling At Chain Restaurants, Cut Trans Fat
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