Chain restaurants in New York City must now post calorie information on their menus or face fine of up to $2,000 from health inspectors. As of last Friday, calorie counts must be displayed on the menus of fast food and casual-dining chains. What's more, the calorie tally must be listed in the same font and size as the name or price of all items.

Although most analysts do not think the law will change behavior, city officials point to a city study that found that 30% of New Yorkers were consuming more than 1,000 calories at lunchtime. Officials believe that the move will prevent 150,000 city residents from becoming obese over the next five years and will contribute to a significant impact on rates of diabetes.

Critics argue that this first-in-the-nation law is just one more tumble down the slippery slope toward a complete "nanny state." The law follows the city's 2003 ban on public smoking and a ban on trans-fats that took effect earlier this month.

(Image from Center for Science in the Public Interest)