Jacob Sullum on the Futility of Mandating Conspicuous Calorie Counts

The
new federal regulations requiring conspicuous calorie
counts for “restaurant-type food” not only force eateries, bars,
bakeries, grocery stores, and movie theaters across the country to
present consumers with information. They force consumers to see
that information, whether or not they want it, on the theory that
they will be grateful when they recognize the error of their
gluttonous ways. Putting aside the ethics of this paternalistic
intervention, says Jacob Sullum, there are good reasons to question
its effectiveness. 

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