October 6, 2008 California Passes Law Requiring Display of Caloric Content on Restaurant Menus On September 30, 2008 California became the first state to pass legislation requiring restaurants to display caloric content information prominently along with menu items. The law, known as SB 1420 (Padilla), affects chain restaurants operating more than 20 locations in the state. Beginning in July 2009, restaurants will be required to produce a brochure disclosing calories, saturated fat, sodium and carbohydrate information for each menu item. When the law takes full effect on January 1, 2011, calories must be listed on menus and menu boards next to the item. Drive-through patrons will need to be informed that calorie information is available to them. The law does not prevent restaurants from displaying more information if they desire. Local health inspectors may issue fines ranging from $50 to $500 for each violation of the law. To read the text of the bill, please visit http://leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_1420&sess=CUR&house=B&author=padilla |
