[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2135]]
  INTRODUCTION OF THE ``LABELING EDUCATION AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2008''

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                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Mr. MATHESON. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the ``Labeling 
Education and Nutrition Act of 2008'' which I believe is a first step 
towards providing consumers with the nutritional information they seek 
while hopefully providing restaurants with a workable framework for 
delivering that information. This legislation is a starting point for a 
bipartisan effort to address nutritional labeling. Senator Carper 
introduced the same legislation earlier this week in the Senate. With 
the introduction of the LEAN Act, I believe we have an opportunity to 
have a constructive national conversation about this important issue.
  As we see in our own lives and daily eating habits, consumers 
increasingly choose to eat in restaurants. In my home State of Utah, 
restaurant jobs represent about 7.9 percent of the employment in my 
State. American adults buy a meal or a snack from a restaurant 5.8 
times per week on average, and spend 48 percent of their food budget on 
food away from home, almost $1,078 per person annually. Unfortunately, 
we have also seen the toll diseases such as obesity and diabetes have 
taken on society. By providing nutritional information, individuals 
with special dietary needs will be able to make the right nutritional 
decisions for them regarding caloric intake or sodium levels.
  I appreciate the interest and leadership some of my colleagues have 
demonstrated on this issue in the past. I believe my legislation 
represents a compromise effort that will allow consumers to make 
informed decisions while also providing for greater individual 
responsibility in dietary choices, Finally, I hope my colleagues will 
work with me on this piece of legislation and I look forward to 
building upon this legislation next year.

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