Posted by: Joan Randall - July 17, 2008 12:07 PM

I am thrilled that you are leading the charge. We need more heroes like you who are not bullied by big industry. Regardless of the vote, Nutrition labeling is a must! As you know, we consumers don't always make the healthiest choices! Thank you!

Posted by: Nancy Becker - July 17, 2008 01:37 PM

It is so important for consumers to have information so that we can make informed choices BEFORE we order food at a restaurant. If the calories aren't posted, how can a consumer make an informed decision?
Thank you, Commisioner Cogen for putting this forth!

Posted by: Ruth Gundle - July 17, 2008 01:59 PM

This is a crucial public health initiative, and it would be so easy to do, and cost so little. It would make it easier for many people to take responsibility for their eating decisions, and therefore, their health. Thank you!

Posted by: Oregon Reality - July 17, 2008 02:01 PM

As long as you county commissioners are playing around with nanny-state ideas like this, at least you aren't spending time on items where you can really waste more taxpayer money, like Wapato, Cascadia, or over budget courthouses.

Posted by: Aimee - July 17, 2008 02:58 PM

This is one terrific idea, and a long time coming. Do it! Do it! Thanks for your efforts.

Posted by: Rick Ray - July 17, 2008 03:26 PM

Health care, as important as it is, doesn't deliver health. This menu "labeling" is one small thing government can do to help each of us take responsibility for our own health.

Posted by: Rick Seifert - July 17, 2008 09:20 PM

By all means, let us know what we are eating.

Posted by: Elli Hall - July 17, 2008 09:33 PM

I have often wanted more information about the food available in restaurants... we eat are all eating out a lot more that we used to these days and having this information would make it easier to make healthy choices. I support this proposed legislation.

Posted by: Mark Stephan - July 18, 2008 09:55 AM

Commissioner Cogen,

The most interesting thing about menu labeling is not that it will change consumer behavior (though in some cases it will), but rather it will change the behavior of the chain restaurants. My own research on "information disclosure" suggests that transparency programs like this have much more influence on producers than consumers. That is to say, producers try to anticipate consumer reactions and tend to do things to reduce the likelihood of losing customers.

Good luck with this initiative!

Sincerely,

Mark Stephan, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Washington State University Vancouver

Posted by: Ron Burns - July 18, 2008 06:02 PM

I have managed to live 70 years without some commisioner telling me how to eat! How about I worry about my coloric intake and you folks do the countys business. Hint: roads, sellwood bridge, Wapto jail, Gas prices. That should keep you folks busy for awhile. You can bet Im in the process of moving out of Multnomah County as soon as possible.
Ron Burns

Posted by: Annaliese Moyer - July 22, 2008 11:19 PM

I always want to know what I am eating and what is going on in my world generally. Any organization that desires opacity can't really be trusted. Food safety comes in many stripes, but information is always the bottom line. Go, man, go!

Posted by: Dr. JG Darwich - July 24, 2008 06:46 PM

I am so thrilled to learn that someone is FINALLY taking the charge here in Oregon to get nutrition information on Fast Food menus!!
I'm a recent NYC transplant who obtained my PhD and spent the past 20 years researching obesity. There is no debate whatsoever that informing individuals about the caloric content in their food WILL result in fewer individuals choosing the higher-calorie, high-fat options.
Jeff... I worked on this bill when I lived in NYC, and I wish you luck because the state's restaurant association was vicious there! So PLEASE... let's get this passed, and move on to Salem!!
-Janet