Sweeping across the US is a law that requires restaurant chains to list the calorie content of every food item they sell.

New York was the first city to take up the law in January, followed by many other cities. Los Angeles is to take a vote in coming weeks and California is considering a statewide bill.

In the ongoing nationwide battle with obesity, many food establishments have already increased their low-calorie menu options and are serving smaller portions. However, listing calories is the latest step to help the customer pick the light option.

In The Economist August 28th, "Critics say it is another step towards a nanny state. Companies complain that it is costly to reprint menus, and the National Restaurant Association says restaurants will find it difficult to meet a "patchwork" of city, county and state standards. The New York State Restaurant Association was so outraged by the New York regulations that it sued, claiming infringement of commercial freedom of speech under the First Amendment. The case is now in the New York courts on appeal, and a decision is expected any day.

America's restaurant industry, which is expected to have $558 billion in sales this year, has vigorously fought menu-labelling legislation. Some restaurants, already concerned about the slowing economy, worry they could lose customers if they draw attention to the number of calories in their food. Already, many New Yorkers have been disheartened to learn what their favourite dishes contain. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition at New York University and the author of "Food Politics", says frequent restaurant-goers have found the calorie information "just astonishing"."