Posted on by

Why are Movie Theaters Exempt from National Calorie Labeling Law?

14 Replies

photo: Buzzsugar.com

Seems like the FDA had a busy week. Just after the travesty of de-facto approval of artificial food dyes as safe, the FDA released on Friday afternoon its proposed rules for calorie labeling in food establishments.

As Marion Nestle writes:

Federal agencies love releasing potentially controversial proposals on Friday afternoons when reporters and potential critics are heading off for the weekend.

So what’s in the proposal?

What you need to know:

Food sellers need to provide calorie information if they

  • operate over 20 locations (i.e. fast food chains), AND
  • more than 50% of the floor space is dedicated to selling food

Since most of a movie theater’s floor space is seating for moviegoers, this kind of establishment is exempt. Which is a real shame because they sell some of the most calorie laden junk food ever:

  • A bucket of “buttery” Popcorn has over 1500 calories (!)
  • Nachos (with Cheese)  over 1000 calories
  • Huge Soda – over 400 calories
  • Soft Pretzel – 450  calories

What to do at the movies:

How about smuggling in your own snacks?

Sounds lame, but we’ve been doing it for years – home made trail mix, fresh fruit, and bottled water.

Does your local -PLEX offer anything healthy? What do you bring in to munch?

Get Fooducated: iPhone App RSS Subscription or Email Subscription

Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/fooducate on facebook: facebook.com/fooducate

Get Fooducated

Download APP

Subscribe

Follow

  • http://www.facebook.com/kenleebow Ken Leebow

    The history of super sizing starts at the movie theater. It’s a fascinating story and can be read here … http://bit.ly/e3i0e8

    Believe it or not, McDonald’s passed on super sizing for a long time.

    There’s two great things about bringing your own snacks to the theater:

    1. You’ll save a lot of money
    2. You’ll consume far fewer calories

    A winning combo-platter.

  • Rachel Assuncao

    I can’t even imagine eating traditional movie theater snacks anymore. Our theater does offer one or two healthy options, but you really have to know what you’re looking for. I usually opt for a hot herbal tea, which I can get at the frozen yogurt stand. Other than that, I don’t usually want a snack – we’ve often just finished a delicious (healthy) dinner at home.

  • http://twitter.com/lauren_015 Lauren Smith

    I agree with Rachel. I’ve usually just finished dinner and don’t need a snack at all!

  • http://butmomsaid.blogspot.com/ mom said

    Great post! The calorie count should be enough to turn you away but don’t forget about the added yellow 5 and or 6 to the popcorn oil. That should make you run!
    We’ve brought in bottled water, fruit, pretzels and bars like Clif. We don’t get to the movies often but I have never noticed healthy options. There is bottled water at $4.00 each!

    • Teenager

      Why in Earth do they add yellow colouring to popcorn?! :O

      • Teenager

        why ON Earth, I mean.

      • Lisa

        Make it look better? More appetizing is what they’re going for, but it just looks like someone peed in the popper.

      • Lisa

        Make it look better? More appetizing is what they’re going for, but it just looks like someone peed in the popper.

  • No

    I live in California, so the movie theaters do have to post their calorie counts on the board.

    Last time we were at the movies they had a “healthy snack” section. I think it had the bottled water and low-fat ice creams and I think nuts.

    They need to find a healthy way to make yummy popcorn.

  • MJ

    We do the same thing as Rachel and Lauren – eat at home before going to the movies.

    I think my days of going to the movies may be numbered. Lately I’ve felt nauseous from the smell of popcorn or whatever substance they drizzle on it. Not sure if they’ve changed the chemicals in the popcorn or what, but the last time I went I was pretty sick for a couple of hours afterwards.

  • Jenniferatripp

    We usually take plain popped corn made at home, fruit leathers and water.

  • Karen

    We LOVE going to the movies (saw 2 this weekend) and most of my family enjoy the snacks as part of the movie experience. I think it’s rude to sneak in snacks but I admit to lately bringing in my Klean Kanteen with water and a packed lunch (carrots, celery, hummus) as I’m doing Weight Watchers and am trying to avoid the bad movie snacks. If there aren’t healthy choices then I feel a little less guilty about sneaking in some things.

  • Mr. Bob

    We don’t got to movies much anymore, but if we do we bring snacks. The local theatres don’t have any health options. Besides, the food makes a $20 night into a $35-$40 night. Why pay the extra movie to feel like crap afterwards.

  • http://www.facebook.com/bruceshank Bruce Shank

    For the longest time in CA you were allowed to bring in any food that you wanted into AMC theaters. We would get dinner from one of the healthier restaurants in the food court and then take it into the movie. About a year ago they (at least AMC) changed their policies and won’t allow any outside food or beverage in. We’ve stopped going to movies altogether, sadly. It would seem a fair trade off that if theaters don’t want to post calorie contents than people should be allowed to bring in their own food. Want to ban outside food and drinks, then post calorie contents.