New York, NY —

The calorie content of a Big Mac or chicken nuggets won't be posted on menu boards in the city anytime soon. A federal judge struck down a new rule that would have required fast food restaurants to post that information. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: The city's Department of Health pushed for the new law as a way to combat what it calls "an obesity epidemic." The rule went into effect in July. The city agreed to delay enforcing it until October. But a judge has found that it conflicts with federal regulations. The New York State Restaurant Association filed the lawsuit that lead to the ruling.

REPORTER: Chuck Hunt is the association's Vice President and says the regulation is too costly and impossible to comply with given the frequent changes to menus.

REPORTER: The group also says businesses already post calorie information on web sites and on tray liners. The Department of Health accuses the group of suing because they are ashamed of what they are serving.

REPORTER: Commissioner Thomas Frieden says the city will either appeal or re-write the rule. For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.