A health advocacy group says, the healthcare reform bill passed in the U. S. House requires calorie-labeling on chain-restaurant menus.

The legislation applies to chains with 20 or more outlets and requires them to provide additional nutrition information on request, Margo G. Wootan, nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, said.

Calorie information will be required to be provided by the restaurants on menus, menu boards, drive-through displays and vending machines.

Although the federal standard will supersede the varied state and local requirements, similar measures are already in effect or are awaiting implementation in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, New York City and Philadelphia.

Wootan said in a statement, "Coffee drinks can range from 20 calories to 800 calories, and burgers can range from 250 calories to more than 1,000 calories. While it's a huge victory for consumers, it's just one of dozens of things we will need to do to reduce rates of obesity and diet-related disease in this country."

Wootan further said that the National Restaurant Association dropped its longstanding objection to menu-labeling last year and supported the language passed in Congress. (With Inputs from Agencies)