For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Grannis or Ellen Davis (202) 783-7971
Email: grannisk@nrf.com or davise@nrf.com

NCCR Files Comments in Advance of Montgomery County Council Hearing
on Menu Labeling

Washington, September 18, 2007 – The National Council of Chain Restaurants, the leading trade association exclusively representing the chain restaurant industry, filed comments this afternoon in advance of the Montgomery County Council's scheduled hearing this evening on menu labeling. The proposal, Bill #19-07, would adopt a Board of Health Regulation requiring chain restaurants to post certain nutritional information on menu boards and menus.

“The proposal before the Council may have the unintended consequence of confusing an already confused general public about proper nutrition and caloric intake,” said Scott Vinson, NCCR Vice President, in written comments to the Council. “Such measures would render menus and menu boards very difficult to read and would delay service at the checkout counters of quick-service restaurants. NCCR would strongly caution the Council to avoid any one-size-fits-all approach that imposes mandates on menu board or menu labeling.”

NCCR emphasized that many chain restaurants already voluntarily provide nutritional information to their customers through brochures, web-based nutritional guides, tray liners and posters. “Most chain restaurants are already providing far more information on the nutritional value of their menu offerings than the Council's proposal would require, but are doing so in formats that are tailored to their customer's preferences,” said Vinson.

The National Council of Chain Restaurants is the leading trade association exclusively representing chain restaurant companies. For more than 40 years, NCCR has worked to advance sound public policy that best serves the interests of both chain restaurants and the millions of people they employ. NCCR members include some of the country's largest and well respected quick-serve and casual dining companies. The National Council of Chain Restaurants is a division of the National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade group. www.nccr.net

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