Atypical Events

California Chain Restaurants Must Count Calories

Posted by jessie under News, Restaurants

In an effort to make you think twice before ordering that double-cheeseburger, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved legislation last Tuesday requiring large chain restaurants to include the nutritional contents of menu items.

The legislation is an effort to combat the obesity epidemic in California. California is the first state in the nation to approve a law of this kind.

The law, proposed by Sen. Alex Padilla, will apply to chain restaurants that have more than 20 locations throughout California. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2009, and by January 1, 2010, nutritional information must be posted by all chain restaurants.

This means that restaurants affected by the bill must disclose information about the number of calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat and sodium contained in menu items.

Restaurants will be required to post nutritional information on menus and menu boards, as well as provide the information at drive-thru windows and in informational brochures.

The statewide measure is modeled after New York City’s menu-labeling law and will affect more than 17,000 restaurant locations throughout California.

The California Restaurant Association, who once opposed the idea of a menu-labeling law, now supports the passage of the bill.

Sen. Padilla said unhealthy eating is a public health crisis because it leads to heart disease, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

It is hoped that the nutritional information on menus will help people make healthier eating decisions, and as a result, improve public health in California.

(link)