July 14, 2016

Senator Patty Murray

154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510

Dear Senator Patty Murray,

As a student studying nutrition and an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,
I write to ask you to not support H.R. 2017- Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015.1
This bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives, is sponsored by Congresswoman
McMorris Rodgers, from our state. Your committee, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
committee, has received this bill for review. As the ranking member of this committee and a
supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), I urge you not to support this bill.

The issue of menu labeling has national health implications. More Americans are eating outside
of the home and eating greater portions sizes leading to greater amounts of calories.2 This can
further our nations obesity epidemic. The areas with the highest rates of obesity in our nation
have an environment of high-caloric food, and sugary beverages. 3,4 This bill amends ACA
legislation and gives power back to companies set against our nations wellbeing.1 With this
legislation restaurants can decide to only list their nutritional information on the internet, not in
their physical store.1 Moreover, restaurants would be allowed to choose the portion size for the
nutrition label.1 Research suggests individuals given nutritional information are much more
likely to choose lower-calorie food.5 Yet, if the nutritional information is confusing or uses
deception, individuals might unwittingly consume much greater calories than intended. Without
clear, easily understandable nutrition information, obesity rates can grow, which can lead to
many serious health issues.3,4

As a dietetic student, this legislative issue will affect my work in the future as I seek to help
individuals manage their diets for the prevention of chronic diseases. Each of us has the power to
control our diet and impact our short-term and long-term health. Yet, the primary goal of this bill
is to impede consumers. Americans deserve the right to receive honest nutrition information to
make the most informed and healthful food choices possible.

Thank you for your support defending our nations health! I stand with the Academy of Nutrition
and Dietetics, a contributor to your campaign, as well as over 100 national health organizations
and leading health researchers6 against this legislation. Please reply to me your position on this
legislation. I am available to answer questions about how this bill will impact your constituents.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Heinlein
Reference List

1. H.R.2017 - Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015: 114th Congress (2015-2016).
United States Congress Web site.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2017/text. Accessed July 3,2016.

2. Rudd Report Menu Labeling in Chain Restaurants Opportunities for Public Policy. Rudd
Center for Food Policy and Obesity Yale University Web site.
http://www.uconnruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/reports/RuddMenuLabelingReport
2008.pdf. Published December 10, 2008. Accessed July 12, 2016.

3. Adult Obesity Causes & Consequences. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html. Published June 16, 2015. Accessed July 11, 2016.

4. Childhood Obesity Causes & Consequences. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web
site. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html. Published June 19, 2015. Accessed July
11, 2016.

5. Farley T, Caffarelli A, Bassett M, Silver L, Frieden T. New York City's Fight Over Calorie
Labeling. Health Affairs 2009;28(6):1098-1109. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.28.6.w1098. Accessed July
12, 2016.

6. Joint statement in opposition to H.R. 2017 Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of
2015. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Web site.
http://www.acscan.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Statement-in-Opposition-to-HR-
2017-updated-2-17-16.pdf. Published February 17, 2016. Accessed July 9, 2016.