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.