Several items from the Cheesecake Factory menu have been criticized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) for being perilous to one's health. The famed restaurant chain has dominated CSPI's 'Xtreme Eating Awards' after nabbing three recognitions.

The consumer advocacy group pointed out several items from the Cheesecake Factory menu and the number of hours one would need to exercise in order to burn the calories. One example is the Bruléed French Toast which would require seven hours of lap swimming to burn the 2,870 calories the toast contains.

Another one is the Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake whose 1,500 calories would take "four-and-a-half-hours of aerobics to burn" as per the group's press release.

In an attempt to defend the chain, Cheesecake Factory's Public Relations Senior Director Alethea Rowe says that their diners are given a wide array of choices when it comes to food.

"Many of our guests come in and want to celebrate and not be concerned with calories. Others want to share their dish -- and we love it when guests share -- that's a great sign that our portions are generous. And a large percentage of our guests take home leftovers for lunch the next day," she said in a statement.

Rowe also emphasizes that their restaurant has a SkinnyLicious menu with 50 items that do not go beyond 590 calories. This isn't the first time the restaurant has earned the criticism of the group. At some point, Cheesecake Factory founder David Overton reportedly told Wall Street Journal that he was getting tired of winning the 'Xtreme Eating Awards' prize.

CSPI dietitian Paige Einstein made a note of this: "Mr. Overton may be tiring of the prize, but he's certainly making sure that The Cheesecake Factory remains the most calorically extreme chain that we've seen."

Despite criticisms of the Cheesecake Factory menu, the restaurant is unstoppable in celebrating the National Cheesecake Day. It is celebrating the holiday with a selfie contest. Customers simply need to post photos using the hashtag #SayCheesecake and from August 4 to 10, netizens will have the chance to vote for the photos which appeal to them.

One grand winner will be receiving $4,000 while nine other winners will take home $100 eGift cards. Half-priced cheesecakes will also be offered all throughout the day.