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.

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.

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Chapter 9-2000. Disclosures By Fast Food Restaurants.

§9-2901. Definitions.

(1) “Fast food restaurant” means any franchised outlet of a restaurant chain of five or more locations operating under the same name that derives thirty percent or more of its business from the sale of prepared, ready to eat food which is served in a container or wrapper.

§9-2902. Notification Requirements.

By January 1, 2006, all owners and operators of fast food restaurants shall:

make available at the restaurant, upon request, free copies of a document or documents setting forth the ingredients and nutritional information of each and every item of food offered for sale at the restaurant, including:

the common or usual name of the food item;

the names of the specific ingredients in the food item, including ingredients used in preparation of the food;

each individual fat and/or oil ingredient of the food item by its specific common or usual name, including ingredients used in preparation of the item;

all nutrient quantities (including vitamins, minerals, calories, protein, carbohydrate, fat, sodium and potassium) contained in the food, as prepared, set forth in relation to the average or usual serving portion of the item; and

the name or the specific spices, artificial flavorings, natural and artificial colorings and chemical preservatives contained in the item.

post, in a conspicuous place, a sign setting forth, in no less than 50-point bold type, the following notice: “You have the right to obtain a list of the ingredients of food offered for sale at this restaurant.”

§9-2903. Penalties.

The penalty for a violation of this Chapter shall be a fine of up to five hundred (500) dollars.

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Explanation:

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End