Chain Restaurants to Provide Nutritional Information Starting July 1
Consumers can make healthier food choices when they eat out

SACRAMENTO, CA - California is the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide menu labeling law (SB 1420). The landmark legislation requires California chain and fast-food restaurants to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards, part of an effort to address the state’s growing obesity epidemic. The new law applies to chain restaurants with 20 or more locations statewide and is designed to provide consumers with the information they need to make healthier food choices. In California, over 17,000 restaurants will be affected by SB 1420. The Environmental Management Department is the local enforcement agency for Sacramento County. Compliance efforts for this law will be incorporated into food facility inspections.

The bill will be phased-in with full implementation January 1, 2011. During the first phase, July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, restaurants have two options to comply with the law. Restaurants must provide a brochure placed at the point of sale that includes calorie, sodium, saturated fat, and carbohydrate information for every standard menu item. For sit-down restaurants, the information must be provided at the table. Drive-thrus or fast-food restaurants are required to have the brochures available upon request.

As a second option, restaurants can comply with the second phase requirements and list calorie information for all standard menu items on menus and menu boards next to the menu item. Drive-thrus shall continue to have a brochure available upon request and must have a notice that the information is available.

By 2011, all restaurant chains will be required to post calorie information for all standard menu items on menus, menu boards, and display tags.

For more information about menu labeling in Sacramento County, go to www.emd.saccounty.net.

To arrange for an interview, please contact John Rogers at 875-8409 or 207-7378 (cell).