The National Restaurant Association will unveil a nationwide initiative touted as a way to give parents more information about the nutritional content of kids' meals. With the voluntary program, the industry is keen to show itself as part of the solution to childhood obesity as national menu-labeling rules are set to take effect next year.
"Kids LiveWell," unveiled Wednesday at the National Press Club, will highlight fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy on menus. More than 15,000 restaurants are participating in the launch. Participating chains include Bonefish Grill, Burger King, Chili's, Corner Bakery Cafe, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, El Pollo Loco, IHOP and Outback Steakhouse.
To participate, chains have to offer at least one full meal that has 600 calories or less and less than half a gram of artificial trans fat, along with meeting other criteria for sodium and sugar. They also must offer at least one other menu item that can be offered as a side dish and has fewer than 200 calories and less than half a gram of artificial trans fat. A red apple logo may appear on menus next to the applicable items.
The program "empowers parents to confidently make informed decisions about their children's meals," said Anita Jones-Mueller, founder of San Diego-based Healthy Dining, a company that collaborated with the restaurant association to create Kids LiveWell.
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