Calif. Requires Restaurants To Post Calories

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Calif. Requires Restaurant Chains To Post Calories
SACRAMENTO (AP) ― Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation making California the first state to require restaurant chains to reveal how many calories are in their standard menu items.

The measure by Sen. Alex Padilla, a Los Angeles Democrat, is an attempt to combat obesity, diabetes and other health problems caused by over-eating.

Starting next July 1, the bill gives chains with at least 20 restaurants a choice: They can list calorie counts on menus or menu boards or they can provide customers with brochures. Those brochures would disclose the fat, calories, salt and carbohydrates in the dishes and drinks they sell at least half the year.

Starting in 2011, the calorie information will have to be included on menus or menu boards.
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