Massachusetts sets tough fast-food rules

BOSTON: Massachusetts was expected to unveil the toughest restaurant menu labeling rules in the United States yesterday, requiring fast-food chains to list how many calories are in the food they sell in a bid to combat obesity.

The state's Public Health Council was to vote yesterday on regulations making fast-food chains list the calorie counts of their food on their menus or menu boards.

The regulations are expected to be more comprehensive than those in California, which in September became the first US state with menu labeling rules for fast-food restaurant chains such as McDonald's Corp and Yum Brands' KFC.