McDonald’s will print nutritional information about most of its products on its labels starting next year.

The move is self-serving. McDonald’s is trying to blunt criticism that its food is unhealthy and to counter negative publicity the company has received both from the documentary, “Super Size Me” and from renewed interest in combating obesity, particularly among children.

Nonetheless, we applaud the company’s decision.

Legislation in Maine that would have required chain eateries to provide nutritional information about their food died for a lack of support among lawmakers, but the idea was valid. Provide consumers with information and, it’s hoped, they’ll make better decisions about what they eat. The fast-food industry fought the bill.

What the Legislature failed to accomplish – because the political will just wasn’t there – the market has pushed at least McDonald’s to do anyway.

Whether the company provides the information out of real concern for consumers or as part of a coordinated public relations campaign doesn’t really matter. What matters is that consumers will have easy access to the information.