Mass. to launch anti-obesity campaign

BOSTON—Massachusetts health officials plan to follow the lead of New York City and California in requiring fast-food chains to post calorie counts for their products on boards behind the order counter.

That is one of several proposals in a healthy-eating initiative unveiled Thursday that Department of Public Health officials say is needed to combat an obesity epidemic.

The parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops says the rules would unfairly burden its franchisees. Dunkin’ Brands Inc. of Canton says it already provides customers with nutritional information and has worked to develop low-calorie products.

The rules go before the Public Health Council next week and could go into effect this fall after a final vote.