People in Ontario may soon have the chance to know more about the food they’re ordering in restaurants.
The Liberal government introduced a bill on Monday that would require chain restaurants with more than 20 locations in the province to label all of their food and beverage products with the product’s nutritional information, including calories.
Associate Health Minister Dipika Damerla said it’s a step in the right direction.
“This will raise awareness amongst Ontarians about the calorie value of common foods,” said Damerla. “It will make it easier for Ontarians to make healthy choices when they dine out.”
Some people say they are not enthusiastic about it.
“When I order something, you pretty much know what's in it anyway,” said Kevin Allison. “If you don't know then you can do some research and find out what it is without actually having to have it written all over the menu.”
The new bill would apply to food and drinks, and also to alcoholic beverages.
Restaurant manager Adam Rotenberg said he supports the bill, but thinks having the information on menus would not be visually pleasing
“I believe having the information available makes a lot of sense, but I don't think putting it directly on the menu is necessary. Unfortunately that would create a lot of reprints as well as a messy menu to look at,” Rotenberg said.
There’s no timeline for a final vote on the bill at Queen’s Park.
