Food industry stands against nutritional disclosure bill

• Food industry leaders are pouring cold water on the latest effort by public health advocates to combat obesity.
• Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, are pushing for passage of legislation requiring restaurants in Massachusetts to post nutritional information about their menu options in an easily visible location or make such information available upon request by customers.
• "What we're asking for is informing consumers right there on the spot so they can make good choices," Roberta Friedman, director of education at the association, told members of the Legislature's Community Development and Small Business Committee this week.
• By posting such information, consumers might be more apt to stay away from meals with higher caloric content, and would be more aware of the levels of fat, carbohydrates and sodium in the meals and products offered.
• Reacting to industry concerns, Friedman told lawmakers the association is supporting an amendment that would exempt many smaller businesses from the proposed law and make it apply only to companies with 20 or more outlets nationwide.
• Food industry leaders say the bill's required nutrient analyses would be too costly to implement and influence and limit the range of menu options available to those dining out.
• Erin Trabucco, general counsel to the Massachusetts Retailers Association, said the bill would leave restaurants and retailers at "high risk" of violating the act's margin of error because ingredients, portion sizes and specials change periodically.
• That would leave businesses vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits and "heavy fines" -- the bill calls for a $500 fine for first offenses and a $1,000 fine and license suspension for second and subsequent offenses.
• Christie estimated that implementing nutrient analysis to meet the bill's requirements would cost between $17,000 and $25,000 per menu.