Title
Amending The Philadelphia Code to add certain requirements related to the disclosure of ingredients and nutritional information of foods offered for sale in certain fast food restaurants.
Body
WHEREAS, Over 100 million Americans, or 60 percent of the adult population, are overweight, and 20 percent of the population is obese; and
WHEREAS, Since 1980, the rates of obesity have doubled in children and tripled in teens since 1980; and
WHEREAS, Fast food industry sales have grown from 25% to 50% of all restaurant sales since 1970 and 25% of Americans eat fast food daily; and
WHEREAS, Fast food patrons consistently underestimate the extent to which consumption of fast food may harm them, and in part because they typically discount the negative effects of the contents of the food they eat; and
WHEREAS, Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems; and
WHEREAS, Increased sodium intake is associated with increased risk of high blood pressure and hypertension, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke; and
WHEREAS, Excess saturated fat intake is a major risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Surgeon General estimates that, in terms of lost work and medical expenditures, obesity costs $117 billion annually; and
WHEREAS, It is difficult for consumers to limit their intake of calories and fats at restaurants, given the limited availability of nutritional information, but 75% of American adults report using food labels on packaged foods, which are required by federal law; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," is hereby amended by adding a Chapter to read as follows:
TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.
* * *
Chapter 9-2000. ...
Click here for full text