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Philadelphia considers menu-labeling plan

PHILADELPHIA A city councilwoman reportedly introduced a bill yesterday that would require local units of restaurant chains with more than 10 outlets to post detailed nutritional information on their menus or menu boards.

The required information would include fat, carbohydrate, sodium and calorie content for each item offered for a time-span at least 30 days. Choices showcase for a shorter period would be regarded as "specials" and would not be covered by the requirement.

The mandate would apply to units bearing a brand name found on at least 10 other outlets nationwide.

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown told the Philadelphia Daily News that her proposal was intended to help consumers make informed choices about what to eat.

The initiative comes just a few weeks after the city council voted to limit the trans fats content of restaurant foods. Restaurant-industry observers have asserted that the measure went from proposal to law in too short of a timeframe to permit careful consideration of the implications.

"The city council failed to listen to the industry on trans fat, and we won't stand by and let it happen again," Tom Foulkes, vice presidents of state relations and grass roots for the National Restaurant Association, told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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