CHICAGO - McDonald's Chief Executive Jim Skinner took a jab recently at regulatory efforts to force calorie counts on restaurant menus, and told those gathered at a restaurant industry trade show that they are facing a "perfect storm" of challenges.

Skinner was the keynote speaker at the National Restaurant Association's annual show at McCormick Place. The convention is one of Chicago's biggest trade shows and draws 74,000 guests.

Richard Rivera, the association's outgoing chairman, noted in a speech that the industry is "engaged in policy and politics like never before." He was partly referring to attempts by local governments to force chain restaurants to add calorie information to their menu boards.

New York City, aiming to cut down on ballooning rates of diabetes and obesity, has been in the vanguard. A calorie ordnance has survived legal challenges, going into effect April 30.

Skinner said such regulations are "redundant and flawed," noting that McDonald's Corp. has offered abundant calorie information for 30 years.

- McClatchy Newspapers