Results tagged “fastfood”

Mayor Bloomberg loves ladling out diet tips, but he's not about to give up his salty hot sausages. The Post reports that on his weekly radio show he called a recent proposal to ban salt in restaurants “ridiculous.” "You have to have salt when you cook," observed the mayor. "I do. I use too much salt already myself. But also it makes a lot of foods, the way you cook them and bake them—salt is a real ingredient. So I don't think that's the right thing to do." more ›

If your mouth is watering for a big, juicy roast beef sandwich, you only have one more week until you can sink your teeth into some processed meat... Arby's opens inside of the gorgeous Gage & Tollner space next Thursday! For almost a year now there's been chatter about the fast food joint taking over the landmarked space — many opposed to the franchise moving in to such fancy digs for its first outpost in the borough. more ›

The law forcing chain restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to display calorie information might have been drafted with fast food joints like McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts in mind — but it's ticking off diners at some of the city's more upscale restaurants. more ›

Earlier this month, a study examining fast-food consumers in poor NYC neighborhoods found that the city's law requiring chain restaurants to post calorie info might not be making a difference in what people order. Looking at customers' receipts, researchers found that many had actually ordered slightly more calories than the typical customer had before the law went into effect. But a more comprehensive study of the law, released today, tells a different story. more ›

Since 1993, the city's Health Department has been giving out fast food restaurant coupons to TB patients, as an incentive to get them to return to clinics for six-month treatment programs. It's a bit awkward, because this is the same Health Department that's launched an aggressive, multi-pronged public health campaign to educate consumers about junk food. Start the countdown for the first lawsuit from a TB patient who contracts diabetes! more ›

A new study by several professors at NYU and Yale has taken a close look at the purchasing habits of fast-food consumers in poor NYC neighborhoods with high rates of obesity. Researchers were curious to find out if the law requiring chain restaurants to prominently display their calorie information was influencing customers' choices, and what they found was probably not what the Health Department had hoped for when implementing the rules in 2008. more ›

The junk food industry is going to war against the Bloomberg administration's big public health push, spending $1 million on an ad campaign asking New Yorkers, "When did the Big Apple become Big Brother?" But Bloomberg isn't sweating the industry's measly million in ads, and defended his hands-on approach to health yesterday, telling reporters, "A little impetus from the government really does improve the public health of the average person. If you want to drink sugared drinks, you're going to have a weight problem, and maybe government should tax it to keep you from doing it." And if taxes don't persuade you to put down the Big Gulp, maybe a little trip to Room 101 will do the trick. more ›

Meet McDonald's "Mom's Quality Correspondents," brand ambassadors for the corporation who tour the country convincing other mothers that McDonald's food can provide perfectly nutritious sustenance for their children. It's unclear how much these fast food collaborators are being paid to sell out America's children to the fast food industry, but they've been at it for a couple years now, and they hit Manhattan yesterday to put an end to the crazy idea that McDonald's products are uniformly unhealthy. more ›

While Governor Paterson's obesity tax bellyflopped, Nassau County is taking a cue from it. With falling county revenue, county officials included a 2% tax on fast food items as part of its budget—it could bring in more than $11 million. While Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi would rather have a cigarette tax first, he told Newsday, "In the best of all possible worlds it's better to try to discourage unhealthy behavior instead of relying on property taxes. We're just trying to figure out the way to solve the problems without wrecking the county and without raising property taxes." But his office hasn't considered whether healthy food sold at fast food chains would be taxed. A Dunkin' Brands spokesperson said, "We understand that many state and local governments are facing budget deficits due to the tough economic environment, but imposing taxes on consumers and small-business owners is not the way to solve these problems." The State Legislature would have to approve the budget. more ›

When fast food chain Jollibee opened its first East Coast location earlier this year in Queens, lines quickly formed out the door and essentially wrapped around Woodside. Filipino ex-pats and food explorers have been keeping the place very busy since, but the missing piece these past few months has been breakfast. Though the Woodside Jollibee opens at 7 a.m., its fried egg and garlic rice based breakfast platters—completed with pinoy favorites like chicken tocino or beef tapa—have been missing from the menu. Until now. Monday night, a manager at the restaurant said that Jollibee Queens will roll out a breakfast menu sometime this month, adding that it might happen as soon as next week. Keep your white-gloved bee fingers crossed! more ›

Researchers from Columbia University and Berkeley say they've proven that children attending schools near fast-food restaurants have higher-than-average obesity rates. Using data gathered from 1,047 California high schools over the course of eight years, the report [PDF] concludes that among 9th grade children, a fast food restaurant within a tenth of a mile of a school is associated with at least a 5.2 percent increase in obesity rates. more ›

Not too long ago Brownstoner reported on a rumor that a fast food restaurant was looking to set up shop at the former Gage & Tollner space at 374 Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn, where the likes of Mae West dined back in the day. The Daily News has now discovered it will be home to the roast beef sandwich slingers of Arby's. The Landmarks Preservation Commission did say there would be a meeting addressing the proposed alterations to the historic interior, but insisted the gas lamps and wall-length mirrors would remain. However, the franchisee Raymond Chera told the News: “We’re keeping everything in place, and anything we move in will be nonpermanent and easy to move out. It will probably be the most beautiful Arby’s ever.” But will it be prettier than the T.G.I.Friday's that was there before it? Meanwhile, over in Queens things at Arby's are looking quite a bit different. more ›

The Department of Health has issued 682 violations to local restaurants since a new law took effect in April requiring eateries with more than fifteen locations nationwide to prominently display calorie information. Fines range between $200 and $2,000, and McDonald’s has the highest number of violations with 103. (Dunkin Donuts is second with 89.) Some restaurants are still refusing to comply, while others were busted for not posting the info as the law requires. For instance, the calorie stats can't be smaller than the text describing the food. And while the restaurant industry is still appealing the law, at least one consumer has found the information enlightening: Dr. Mary Bassett, deputy commissioner of health promotion, tells Crain's, "I’ve given up tuna fish and chicken salad. Without that information [on the menu], I wouldn’t have guessed, and I’m a medical doctor." more ›

Inside Park: According to the Times, the café terrace at St. Bartholomew’s Church on East 50th Street proved so popular they decided to convert the chapter house into a year-round restaurant. Judging by the photo on Grub Street, the renovated space definitely looks appealing, with soaring ceilings and candle chandeliers. Formerly of Savoy, chef Matthew Weingarten has been “pickling everything he can find at the Greenmarket to serve as the season cools.” Beyond pickles, the menu features dishes like Heritage Breed Pork Chop Mushroom Fricassee and Caraway Dumpling, as well as Hand Cut Pappardelle Mountain Style Rabbit Ragu. 109 East 50th Street, (212) 593-3333. more ›

On Tuesday the L.A. city council passed a bill that would prevent new fast food restaurants from opening in certain parts of the city for at least one year. Not to be outdone, New York City Council member Eric Gioia is proposing the same thing here. He tells the Sun, "People are literally being poisoned by their diets – LA's idea deserves serious consideration as we look for holistic solutions to a serious problem." Suprisingly, the council's minority leader, Republican James Oddo of Staten Island, is all for it: "I drive around my district and I see people engaging in incredibly unhealthy lifestyles that I know I pay for, to some degree. If there's a way to make them have a healthier lifestyle so I don't pay for it, I would be open to it." more ›

It was the jalapeno all along. Yesterday the F.D.A. announced that after a three month investigation into a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 1,251 people in 43 states, officials have finally been able to match the bacteria strain to a single Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper handled by a small Texas produce shipper. Fresh tomatoes were previously believed to be the culprit, and an F.D.A. warning against certain tomato varieties has cost growers an estimated $450 million. Oopsy! more ›

Chain restaurants that haven’t been complying with the city’s new law requiring them to display calorie information for all their food and beverages can be fined by the Health Department starting at midnight. But some establishments like Olive Garden remain defiant; they’re refusing to cooperate in hopes that a Restaurant Association appeal succeeds in court. Over 252 violations have already been reported, but not until tonight can fines be levied. Other places are scrambling to display the calorie stats and avoid a possible $2,000 fine. “We waited quite late in the day,” Hale & Hearty’s Simon Jacobs told Crain’s. “And at some point we just realized we were running out of time.” more ›

Although the F.D.A. has been unable to pinpoint the source of a recent salmonella outbreak that infected over 1,190 people in 42 states, officials have announced that all varieties of tomatoes currently in the fields and in stores are safe to eat. more ›

As local franchises start complying with the city’s new calorie law – which requires establishments with over 15 locations nationwide to prominently display caloric info – there are bound to be some bumps in the road. But this snafu is hard to top: Blog about town “Cellar Door” spotted an interesting discrepancy at two different Dunkin' Donuts purveyors located next to each other inside Penn Station. more ›

As if mocking the inadequacy of federal investigators, a ruthless army of salmonella-tainted tomatoes continues to sicken Americans, and the FDA seems utterly helpless to pinpoint the source. Frustrated officials admitted yesterday that the trail had run cold, and the agency's food safety chief, Dr. David Acheson, told reporters “maybe we were being too optimistic” in earlier statements about cracking the case. more ›

Everybody relax: New York grown tomatoes are perfectly safe to eat raw, at least according to the government. Yesterday the State Department of Agriculture tried to calm a jittery public with an announcement that a recent salmonella outbreak is not linked to tomatoes grown in the Empire State. At least 23 people have been hospitalized across the country, mostly in New Mexico and Texas, where the first fatality was reported yesterday. more ›

Panic is gripping stomachs nationwide as news spreads about a salmonella food poisoning outbreak caused by certain varieties of tomatoes. The FDA has not been able to pinpoint the source of the poisoning, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports at least 23 people, mostly in New Mexico and Texas, have been hospitalized since mid-April, with no fatalities… yet. The main symptoms are diarrhea and extreme abdominal pain. more ›

When we took note of the Health Department’s crackdown on chain restaurants that refuse to display their calorie information, some commenters wondered how movie theaters would be affected. Since the rule applies to any New York City food server with at least 15 locations nationwide, are chains like Regal Cinemas now required to confront moviegoers with the bad news about their concession products (which are, technically, food)? more ›

The city’s Health Department has been schooling restaurants on the new law that requires any eatery with over 15 locations nationwide to display calorie information on all food and beverages. After numerous lawsuits from the New York State Restaurant Association, a judge ruled that the city could impose the new law, and it went into affect May 5th. more ›

When Mr. Skewer & Co. Brazilian Grill began building out its space a month ago, anticipation ran high among meatheads. Could it be true? Amid visions of short ribs and other meaty treats, some wondered, “Would there really be a rodizio opening on W. 14 St.?” more ›

In a lawsuit that’s had more back and forth than John Goodman at an all-you-can-eat Marriott breakfast buffet, a federal appeals court has ruled that, yes, city restaurants with 15 or more establishments nationwide must start displaying calorie information for all foods and beverages. In the meantime, the city has agreed not to issue any fines for non-compliance until July 18th, by which time judges are expected to rule on the National Restaurant Association’s appeal. more ›

A federal appeals judge has issued a delay on enforcement of the new law that would require NYC restaurants with 15 or more establishments nationwide to prominently display calorie information for all foods and beverages. The rules had been scheduled to take effect on Saturday; the new delay will last until Tuesday, when the three-member appeals court will formally consider an even longer delay. more ›

The New York State Restaurant Association [NYSRA] is still fighting a law requiring chain restaurants operating in New York City to prominently display calorie information on all food and beverages, but the new rules go into effect today anyway, and some establishments – such as Starbucks, Subway, Chipotle, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba Juice and Chevys – are already complying. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg may have failed with his plan to ease New York City congestion, but at least he can claim victory when it comes to New Yorkers’ digestion. (Sorry.) U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell has ruled that the city can require restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to prominently display their calorie information in “the same font and format used to display the name or price of the menu item.” more ›

A law that would require city restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to prominently display calorie information was supposed to go into effect last week, but a lawsuit brought by the restaurant industry has it choked up in court. Restaurateurs say the rules would violate their First Amendment right to say whatever they want on their menus, while the city points to a Health Department study suggesting diners choose healthier food when forced to acknowledge that their Big Mac cheeseburger is loaded with 43.7 grams of fat. more ›