Pretty soon, you might see this familiar label on a lot more foods, or at least something similar to it.

In the fight against America's obesity epidemic, the FDA is proposing the labeling of calories on the menus of chain restaurants, Vending Machines, and other retail Food Outlets.

According to HHS(Health and Human Service) Secretary-Kathleen Sebelius, "These proposals will ensure that consumers will have more information when making food choices. Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier."

The FDA wants customers to be able to view calories listed in restaurants and food outlets which form part of a chain consisting of about 20 locations which conduct business under the same name. This might include fast food restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, and bakeries. Excluded will be such places as airports, movie theatres, and sports centers.

If you have any suggestions, the FDA is inviting the public to offer suggestions and ideas that might improve the Proposal, such as adding other types of food outlets which might have been excluded or how the labeling should look, etc. Final rules are planned to be finalized by the end of this year.

Click here to go to a web page where your proposals can be registered.

To submit a proposal:

• Chose Submit a Comment
• Enter the follow docket numbers in the "Keyword" space: docket number FDA-2011-F-0172 for menu items in restaurants and similar retail food  establishments, and docket number FDA-2011-F-0171 for vending machines.
• Select Search

Source: Medical News Today