Nutrition & Wellness – Biology 50

Governor Signs Menu Labeling Bill and Allowing Healthier Options for Californians

September 30, 2008

On September 30, 2008 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1420 into law. With this law passing, California will be the first state in the nation to require calories to be posted on menus and menu boards.

The bill was sponsored by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy and the American Cancer Society.

The law written by Senator Alex Padilla requires restaurant chains with 20 or more locations statewide to post calorie information on menus and indoor menu boards for consumers.

Carol Jackson, the California Division Chair of the Board of the American Cancer Society had this to say about the passage of the bill “We are so excited that the Governor signed menu labeling this year. It is a trendsetting bill that will set the standard for the nation by increasing the visibility and importance of healthy eating.”

With the passage of this bills all Californians will soon be benefit from having reliable, accessible nutrition information at the point of sale that will help them make more informed, healthier choices. Making sure that people can make choices about what they are eating when dining out is becoming increasingly important as more people are eating a greater number of their meals outside of the home each week.

SB 1420 was modeled closely on an ordinance implemented in New York City that affects large chain restaurants. Restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Quizno’s, Applebee’s, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, TGI Friday’s are now posting calorie information on menu boards in New York City.

This bill has been two years in the making. I think this is a great move to improve the health of Californians. Kudos to the Governor for promoting health and nutrition.

Entry Filed under: Announcements, Health, Nutrition, Nutrition News, Wellness. Tags: Gov. Schwarzenegger, Healthier Californians, Menu Labeling Bill, Nutrition Bill, Padilla Bill, SB 1420.