Set Healthy Kids’ Meal Rules

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to setting nutrition standards for restaurant meals targeting children

Summary of provisions

The public health law is amended by adding a new section 1352-f which defines the terms:

-targeting children - an action or action designed to make a meal, food, or beverage offered for purchase by a restaurant appeal to children. Such actions shall include, but are not limited to, the presence of a meal, food or beverage on a menu designated as a kids' menu. The commis- sioner shall also promulgate rules and regulations regarding what actions constitute targeting children.

-meal - any combination of food and drink, items offered together for a single price.

-restaurant - any coffee shop, cafeteria, luncheonette, sandwich stand, diner, short order cafe, fast food establishment, soda fountain, and any other eating or beverage establishment, which gives or offers for sale food or beverages to the public.

This section goes on to state that the commissioner shall make regu- lations establishing nutrition standards for meals, food items, and beverages targeting children.

Penalties for violation of the provisions will result in:

1st violation- up to $500 fine 2nd Violation- up to $1,000 fine 3rd Violation- up to $2,500 fine

Section 2 states the effective date.

Justification

Obesity in this country has grown into an alarming epidemic. According to a 2015-16 report issued by the Center for Disease Control, about 93.3 million U.S. adults were affected by obesity, while at least 13.7 million children (ages 2-19 years) were also impacted by it. Obesity in children comes with increased health risks such as heart disease and type-2 diabetes, in childhood and through adulthood. Children who are overweight or obese also have an increased risk for being overweight or obese when they are older. In the United States, it is estimated that obesity cost $14 Billion in direct health expenses while food that is served in restaurants that is geared toward our children is often the culprit in this obesity epidemic. Studies have shown a positive associ- ation between eating out, higher caloric intakes, and higher body weights. Children often eat nearly twice as many calories (an average of 770) when they eat a meal at a restaurant than they do when they eat at home (an average of 420). Meals served in restaurants often fail to meet the recommended healthy nutritional standards set for our children by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Food and beverage companies in the U.S. spend more than $1.6 billion each year to attract children's attention. Various restaurants and fast food establishments attract young consumers to eat their unhealthy meal options by designing the food with familiar TV and movie characters, colorfully- dyed ingredients, and shapes. This legislation encourages that if food is to be targeted towards children, it must meet state nutritional guidelines.

This legislation will improve the health of the children of New York State by setting healthy nutritional guidelines for children's meals that are served in restaurants. This legislation seeks to encourage good eating habits that children may acquire which can continue into adult- hood and will affect the health of our kids now and the health of the generation in the future.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.