| Menu Labeling Will Help Reduce Obesity Rates And Cancer Risk By Arming Consumers With Information | |
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Representatives of the American Cancer Society participated in a press event in Albany on Monday morning calling for new laws to help combat obesity rates in New York. Below is a statement, just released, by Donald Distasio, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society of New York and New Jersey. NEWS For media inquiries, contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2009 Menu Labeling Will Help Reduce Obesity Rates And Cancer Risk By Arming Consumers With Information Statement from Donald Distasio, CEO, American Cancer Society of NY & NJ, regarding menu labeling legislation. “With approximately half of the food dollar now being spent away from home, it makes sense to make caloric information visible in restaurants, where foods are typically higher in fat and calories, and portion sizes are larger than those at home. Shoppers have grown accustomed to having nutrition information on packaged foods in supermarkets; they want and deserve to have it on menus as well. Many people know that excess pounds raise the risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke, but few are aware of the link between obesity and cancer – 11,000 New Yorkers die each year from cancers caused by obesity and lack of physical activity. Governor Paterson is in tune with the latest science and recognizes the very real threat that obesity poses to the health of New Yorkers. Cancer and obesity are linked, and by educating people about the risk of a high calorie, high fat diet and promoting prevention, we can reduce cancer rates and control health care costs. We thank Governor Paterson for his leadership on this issue and urge the Senate and Assembly to pass this legislation swiftly.” ### ***The states of California and Massachusetts have enacted menu labeling laws, however, if the New York proposal is enacted this session, New York will be the first state in the U.S. to have a law in effect regarding menu labeling. California and Massachusetts have varying effective dates that are beyond a New York effective date. The New York law will be effective 180 days following enactment.*** About the American Cancer Society ###
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