Massachusetts Passes Calorie Labeling Law

On Wednesday, Massachusetts approved a law requiring restaurant chains with 20 or more in-state locations, some 5,800 establishments in the Bay State, to list calorie counts of food offerings on their menu boards by November 1, 2010.

“Those costs will be borne by small business owners when it comes to Dunkin’ Donuts, whose stores are owned by franchisees, according to Jim Coen, president of the DD Independent Franchise Owners.

‘In New York (City), it costs all franchise owners tens of thousands of dollars and some franchise owners hundreds of thousands,’ Coen said.

The restaurant industry has been opposing calorie-count requirements instituted on state and local levels. Its support is behind the federal Labeling Education and Nutrition Act that was introduced in Congress last month, which it argues is more comprehensive.” – Boston Herald