A new rule that goes into effect on Monday requires restaurant chains to post the calorie count of all items on the menu. 

It’s one of the last items to be implemented of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. 

“So whether you are in Nashville or whether you are in Washington DC, today you are actually going to see the same calorie information,” said Cicely Simpson with the National Restaurant Association. 

Simpson says the new requirements include more than just restaurants. 

“So restaurants, convenient stores, grocery stores certainly stadiums and theaters and anywhere where you find restaurant type food,” she added.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says the goal is to improve public health, and help Americans make more informed choices about their diets. 

“Even if individuals want to eat poorly, it’s up to them,” said Daren Bakst.

Baskt, who is with the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, says the law equates to government overreach. 

“What is the government interested in deciding that we should make sure that people should be able to eat a certain way or trying to influence them not to eat a certain way,” Baskt said.

He added that some restaurants simply can’t afford to change its menus. 

“I feel bad for some restaurants that are going to have a very hard time complying. It’s going to cost them a lot of money,” he said.

The FDA says it will be working with restaurants over the next year to help change their menus. 

After that, restaurants that don’t comply with the law could face fines or even jail time.

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