Customers weigh in on menu calorie counts at Oakland McDonald’s

Patrons at a McDonald’s in Oakland discuss if the calorie values listed on the restaurant's menus affect their eating habits.
By Posted

Does knowing calorie information change the way you order?

McDonald’s, one of the world’s most popular fast food chains, started posting calorie information on its menus at restaurants and drive-thrus around the country. “At McDonald’s, we recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order,” said McDonald’s USA president Jan Fields in a press release.

McDonald’s action came after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this summer to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which includes a provision requiring restaurant chains with more than 20 locations to post calorie information in their establishments. A plan for implementing the requirement has not been worked out to this date.

In California, the practice of posting nutritional information started in January of 2011. Oakland North visited one of McDonald’s restaurants Oakland to find out if displaying calorie values can affect people’s eating habits.

Filed under: AP, Bay Citizen, Business, Community, Culture, Featured, Front, Health, Oakland North TV, Video

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2 Comments

  1. Mr Freely
    September 27, 2012 at 10:24 am

    There is a newly remodeled McDonald’s near 45th and Telegraph Ave. If you like to watch bad guys, drop by this McDonald’s on a Saturday afternoon.There are all these zonked out wiseguys, trying to order a hamburger.

    Reply
  2. Bob Osbong
    October 7, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    Here are some arguments that I came up with:

    PRO:
    1) The customer has a right to know!
    2) Educates customers in making healthier choices
    3) Encourages the restaurants to add more healthy options

    CON:
    1) Doesn’t accomplish anything
    2) Customers still indifferent
    3) Calories themselves don’t give enough information; you need all the nutrition facts
    4) If customers want to, they can find calorie counts off menu

    Reply

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