Calories on Every Menu? Why I'm Not Convinced

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1. 01Calories on Every Menu?

   Good afternoon. I own a small Italian restaurant in Melbourne, and I also have a daughter who once struggled with an eating disorder. So this topic is personal for me. Today, I'll explain why I'm not convinced that every menu should show calories.

2. 02What Other Countries Require

   First, let's be clear about the facts. The United States requires calorie labels in chains with twenty or more locations, and England requires them in businesses with two hundred and fifty or more employees. Neither country forces them on every small restaurant.

   Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "Menu Labeling Requirements"; The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021

3. 03Concern 1: People With Eating Disorders

   My first concern is for people with eating disorders. For my daughter, seeing numbers on every menu would have made eating out much more stressful. A meal with friends could turn into a math problem.

4. 04Concern 2: One Number Isn't Health

   Second, calories don't tell the whole story. Nuts are high in calories, for example, but they're also full of good nutrients. Focusing on one number may push people toward choices that look light but aren't nutritious.

5. 05Concern 3: The Cost for Small Kitchens

   Third, cost. My chef changes the menu every week based on what's fresh. Calculating calories for every new dish takes time and money that small restaurants often don't have.

6. 06Where I Agree

   To be fair, I agree that people should be able to find this information. Many customers want it, and I respect that. My question is how we share it, not whether we share it.

7. 07A Better Way

   Here's my alternative. Restaurants could offer a separate menu with calorie information, or give it to anyone who asks. That way, people who want the numbers can see them, and people who are hurt by them can avoid them.

8. 08Conclusion

   In conclusion, calorie information should be available, but not forced onto every menu. Let's give customers a choice, including the choice not to look. Thank you.