Calories to be posted on menus

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A new regulation will force restaurants to post calorie counts on their menu.

The Massachusetts Public Health Council passed the regulation Wednesday. Starting in November, 2010 chains with 20 or more restaurants will have to display how many calories are in its foods on its menu's, or overhead boards. Its all in an effort to help people make healthy choices, without having to do research to find out.

Some are into the idea. "I'd like to see it everywhere, I always read labels, I like to know what I'm doing as specifically," said Virginia Invernizzi of Deerfield.

Whether its fast food or not, others said the last thing they want to see at a restaurant is calorie amounts. "Its nice to go out and just relax and enjoy your meal without counting, I think sometimes we have a sense of what we can eat and what we cannot," said Mercedes Taylor of Deerfield.

Some don't see the point of the regulation. "People who take the time to read it are probably somewhat aware anyway and those who won't don't care," said James Smith of Ashfield.

So will this eventually translate to smaller local restaurants? Evelyn Whitbeck-Poorbaugh Chef and part-owner of Hope & Olive in Greenfield said they're not planning on it anytime soon. "It feels a little soulless to have that on the menu, it would certainly hamper my enjoyment on the meal to read that kind of information," says Whitbeck-Poorbaugh.

They say they're focusing on letting people know where their food is coming from.