Health News
The best health news to come out as of late is that the health care bill has passed congress, and will be signed into law. This bill takes a lot of steps to increase the quality of life for all Americans and increase health for those that are sick currently. While no one may be one hundred percent happy with the health care bill as it was passed on March 22, 2010, there are many individual components that will be of benefit to many people of the American population. One such item is the provision that nutritional labeling and calorie content will be mandatory on menus of chain restaurants and in vending machines. This requirement alone promotes health and wellness on a grand scale. Additionally, this is great health news for people currently trying to diet. The passage of the provision that will create a national, uniform standard for chain restaurants and snacks that would provide customers with a wide range of nutrition information. This make a lot of sense since the information available on packaged foods is already required by these same companies. Calorie information would be highlighted on menus, menu boards, and drive-thru boards in hopes to promote health foods that can be tasty as well.
Section 2572 of the landmark legislation requires that chain restaurants with twenty or more locations and owners of twenty or more vending machines display nutritional and calorie information. This health news is a positive transition for students and kids that are currently enrolled in high school, and junior high. Many times children’s health is placed in jeopardy when they eat lunch in schools. While many chain restaurants have already begun this practice, due to enacted legislation in various cities and state, it may be a bit more difficult for vending machine owners. Soda manufacturers, like Coca Cola, announced recently that they would print calorie counts on the front labels of their drinks making it visible in the machines, but for items like chips, candy bars, and even sandwiches, it could be problematic and costly.
In recent health news, reports have surfaced claiming that the American waistlines have continued to grow as the proliferation of fast food chains has increased. Health regulations will promote different and new eating styles. However, they will have to wait patiently for the practice to be put into effect. The legislation requires the Federal Drug Administration to propose specific regulations not later than one year from now, and then there will be a time period for those regulations to be approved and put into effect. In the meantime, most chain restaurants have set aside calorie details so that people worried about their health can receive it upon request. This health news is great for the progression of health care itself. It a has been too long since action was taken so drastically regarding health care. The sad part is that it that it too years and years of negative health news about Americans, for out country to step it up.
