(NBC) -- As if movie theaters weren't already filled with drama, cinemas may soon have to
display calorie contents for everything they serve, including those gigantic tubs
of popcorn.
Do you have any idea how many calories are in the typical
bag of movie theater popcorn? Do you even want to know?
Mike Jacobson
from Center for Science in the Public Interest says "I think a lot of people are
going to change what they eat when they are shocked at the calorie contents of
so many of the foods that are served."
Mike Jacobson is the Executive
Director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, often referred to as
the "food police."
His organization is in favor of proposed federal
rules that would make theaters disclose the calorie content of concession food.
A 2009 CSPI study of movie theater popcorn found large orders from the
biggest theater chains were between 910 and 1,200 calories, before the buttery
topping.
Mike says "in an age of obesity, calorie information is
probably the single most wanted piece of nutrition information."
AMC and
Regal Cinemas declined to provide any comment for this story. But the National
Association of Theater Owners has reportedly been lobbying the Food and Drug
Administration to exclude theaters, saying their main business is entertainment,
not food.
Theater-goers have given the proposed calorie requirements
mixed reviews.
Information that could make your eyes pop next time you
hit the movies.
Movie theaters aren't the only places that would be
required to display calorie information under the proposed rules. Prepared food
in grocery stores and chain restaurants would also be affected. The FDA is
expected to make a final decision next week.
NBC