New York City postpones fast-food calorie-posting rule

NEW YORK (AP) - Health officials have pushed back a deadline for national chain restaurants to put calorie counts on their menus in their outlets in New York City.

The requirement was supposed to take effect Monday, but a restaurant trade group has challenged it in court. The city Health Department says it's postponing the regulation's start date until April 15 because the court ruling is expected soon.

Health officials say the measure would combat obesity by forcing diners to face the caloric consequences of what they order. But the New York State Restaurant Association says the rule violates the First Amendment by forcing businesses to put what amounts to a message on their menus.

Still, one major chain, Starbucks, says it will comply with the original Monday deadline.

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