I strongly support for The Maryland Informed Dining Act, sponsored by Delegate Emily Shetty and Senator Alonzo Washington.
Marylanders are consuming far too much sodium and added sugar—well beyond recommended daily limits—and the consequences are serious. Excess intake is closely linked to heart disease, stroke, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes, all of which place a heavy burden on individuals, families and our healthcare system.
Restaurant food, particularly from large chains, is a major contributor to this problem.
Items that may appear healthy can still contain dangerously high levels of sodium and added sugar due to preservatives, flavor enhancers, and other additives. Without clear information, consumers are often unable to make informed choices about what they eat.
This legislation offers a simple, effective solution. By requiring chain restaurants with more than 20 locations in Maryland to place an icon next to menu items that exceed 50 percent of the daily recommended limit for sodium or added sugar, the bill empowers consumers with transparent, easy-to-understand information. Importantly, this measure does not restrict choice—it enhances it.
Maryland has taken similar steps before. The requirement to display calorie counts on menus has proven that transparency can positively influence consumer behavior and public health. The Maryland Informed Dining Act builds on that success in a meaningful and timely way.
This is a low-cost, high-impact policy that could significantly improve public health outcomes and help Marylanders lead longer, healthier lives.
Sincerely,
Kathie Peterson, Laurel, MD