HR0262 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0262 LRB096 12204 GRL 24732 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese; the rates of obesity have doubled in children and tripled in teens since 1980 and 24.9% of Illinoisans are considered obese; and

WHEREAS, Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems; and

WHEREAS, Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of meals prepared and eaten outside the home and eaten at restaurants and other food-service establishments; and

WHEREAS, The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) was established in 1990; NLEA set a national standard for nutrition labeling in packaged foods and beverages and has been credited with helping consumers make healthier food choices when shopping for food or eating at home; and

WHEREAS, The LEAN Act is molded after the NLEA; the act requires restaurants and other food service establishments that serve prepared foods and have 20 or more locations to disclose in writing the calories contained in each menu item directly on the menu, menu board, or in designated alternative ways, such as a menu insert or a sign directly next to the menu board; and

WHEREAS, The LEAN Act would require information regarding calories, total fat, cholesterol, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calories from fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugars, and protein to be disclosed in all chain restaurants with more than 20 locations; and

WHEREAS, The LEAN Act would provide for uniform nutritional disclosure practices for affected establishments and resolves problems emerging from a complex patchwork or inconsistent State and local regulations; and

WHEREAS, The LEAN Act would require the presentation of the calories and the nutritional information through a range of options; calorie disclosure will be required on menu boards, wall signs, or queue signs for quick serve establishments and/or menu placement, menu inserts, or menu appendix for seated establishments; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Congress to pass a national standard for nutritional menu labeling in chain restaurants; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.