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Multnomah County keeps alive calorie-listing measure

Thursday, July 31, 2008 4:33 PM PDT

By The Associated Press

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PORTLAND — Multnomah County’s leaders have voted 4-1 to keep alive a measure that would require some chain restaurants to tell customers how many calories are in the food they’re buying.

Thursday’s vote sends the proposal to the county health department for refinement. The county commissioners will reconvene later for a final vote.

Commissioners say they like the idea but worried about how the county would pay for the new program when it is hard-pressed to cover the ones it has. Some commissioners say the measure unfairly singled out chain restaurants.

Two legislators say a statewide bill is probable at the 2009 session.

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country gal wrote on Jul 31, 2008 1:25 PM:

" The Legslature want to pass a statewide requirement as to how many calories the customers are gobbling in a restaurant? You've got to be kidding me? Now I know where their brains are at! In Twilight Zone! "

greenbean wrote on Jul 31, 2008 1:37 PM:

" thank you for some common sense in voting this down. These attempts to legislate our lives are getting rediculous. If I want to know the nutritional information, I go to the restaurants web site -- most of them list this information. "

Realist wrote on Jul 31, 2008 2:26 PM:

" Good. Frankly, I don't want to know anyway. I so seldom indulge in fast food, when I do, I surely don't want to know how many calories I am eating. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know it's a lot.
Greenbean, you hit the nail right on the head. If anyone wants or needs to know, go to the restaurant's website. "

Plato wrote on Jul 31, 2008 2:29 PM:

" From the womb to the grave the government wants to spend our money deciding our every move. Great! "

Louie wrote on Jul 31, 2008 4:54 PM:

" You people better re-read this article. 4 to 1 to keep it ALIVE, NOT KILL IT.
This is a great idea. I don't do the fast food thing because I know how bad the stuff is for you. Once in a blue moon I have to due to certain circumstances but I only patronize them if I have no other choice. I prefer my own cooking to theirs anyway. I know what I purchased and where and there is no hidden calories...what I see is what I get.
My motto is buy local and live longer. I don't want my food being flown in half way around the world nor do I want farmed raised fish unless I know exactly who is raising it and where. All farmed fish is not equal in quality!! "

Realist wrote on Jul 31, 2008 5:10 PM:

" Woah. This is not the story that we all commented on earlier this afternoon. What's the deal? "

cheney119 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 7:50 PM:

" Twilight zone indeed? Would you prefer they be allow to keep this information a secret, the bastards bacically do now. The fast food restaurants should be required to put in on the menu next to the price. The amount of calories is the real price you are paying when you eat this crap; country gal. Exactly what is unreasonable about common sense measures like this? Twilight Zone is where you are out there in Cathlamet. "

Plato wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:01 PM:

" And what is the put down about Cathlamet about? If people are concerned about their calories they probably aren't eating at fast-food restaurants. That also includes locally owned non-chain restaurants. But then someone from CR would be one of those that has a problem with common sense.. Cheney what is your problem? "

Crystal wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:41 PM:

" This calorie count isn't just for fast food places...it would be required of any chain restaurant...Applebees, Red Lobster, etc. There's already been studies done that some restaurants that do list calorie/fat count on their "lite" menus are way off. If this passes, then there would have to be government regulators continuously keeping their eyes on restaurants, and guess who's going to pay for that? Taxpayers, of course. Plus restaurants will be forced to switch to lower calorie/fat options which are more expensive and will make going out eating incredibly expensive for everyone. "

greenbean wrote on Jul 31, 2008 11:15 PM:

" I swear this story first said it was voted DOWN 4-1.. I think it has changed. Anyway, I agree -- dumb regulations like this cost businesses money, and guess who that gets passed along to? In the end, how does this really help anyone? Is there really anyone out there who thinks a Big Mac might be good for you? "

DW wrote on Aug 1, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Cheney119 needs to go run his own business for awhile. He might then see the amount of red tape there is to all government programs. Heck they passed an ordinance in Seattle to charge all customers 20 cents per plastic or paper bag at the grocery store. Then they just haul off half cocked and tell business to deal with it. Cheney119, unlike you we are not sheeple. I know that if I go to Carl Jr's and order the $6 guacamole bacon cheese burger that I'm pounding down enough calories to feed half of the third world. But that's my choice. I don't need a stupid government program to tell me my burger is 3000 calories. And besides I grew up in Cathlamet, when they used to have a gun club sponsored by the school and we'd go learn how to shoot straight and have venison burgers for dinner. "

LittleBrownTurd wrote on Aug 1, 2008 4:33 PM:

" Obviously some of you poople haven't considered the reasoning for some legislation: to help keep your overload keisters waddling and to help keep the rest of us from paying YOUR gluttony related medical bills. In the exact fashion jurisdictions have successfully gone after puffers. Pretty simple and pretty warranted! "

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