News
That was how many calories?
Information on the new California state law that requires chain restaurants to post the calorie content of standard menu items.
Jul 02, 2009
That was how many calories?
By DIANE PETERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
A law going into effect today allows diners to find out how many calories they’re saving by choosing healthy foods at restaurants, and how much fat they’ll be taking in if they give in to temptation.
In landmark legislation, California has become the first state in the nation to require large chain restaurants to post the calorie content of standard menu items.
The law is designed to help diners make more informed decisions in order to win the battle of the bulge. Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
“I think all restaurants should have to do that,” said Bridget Alvarez of Santa Rosa while ordering lunch at Rubio’s in Santa Rosa. “If more people knew what they were eating, they wouldn’t eat what was in front of them.”
The California menu labeling bill (SB 1420), written by state Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, is modeled after ordinances in New York City and Seattle. It applies to the 123 chain restaurants that operate at least 20 outlets in California.
It applies to fast-food giants such as Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s and to casual restaurants like The Olive Garden, Chevy’s Fresh Mex Restaurant and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill.
During the next year and a half, these restaurants are required to offer customers a brochure that lists the amount of calories, saturated fat, salt and carbohydrates on standard menu items.
The restaurants will have until 2011 to comply fully with the law, which means listing calorie counts on menus and indoor menu boards.
Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University, said New York’s food labeling ordinance has led to some positive changes.
“In New York City, the number of calories in fast food has come as a huge shock,” Nestle wrote in an e-mail. “It has induced the companies to cut down portion sizes and reduce sources of calories, so that’s a big help.”
In California, many restaurants already provided nutritional information on Web sites, posters and tray liners, but not in a statewide, standardized format.
Although it initially opposed the bill, the California Restaurant Association agreed to support the bill after Padilla added language that barred cities and counties from imposing their own standards.
“For us, it was important to have one standard,” said Lara Dunbar, senior vice president of governmental affairs for the association. “And we’re working with local regulators so that it’s enforced as uniformly as possible.”
The law will be enforced at the local level by public health inspectors, who will be able to impose fines, Dunbar said.
According to the National Council of Chain Restaurants, the law applies to 17,000 of the state’s more than 90,000 restaurants, or 19 percent.
The legislation does not apply to the independent, family-owned restaurants that make up the bulk of the restaurants in the state.
“If you run one single outlet, the cost of having the data completed and posting it is pretty formidable,” said Daniel Conway, spokesman for the restaurant association. “That’s something that has been recognized.”
While the legislation is part of a state and national effort to curb obesity, health proponents warn that it only represents a small victory in the campaign against bad diets, shrinking arteries and expanding waistlines.
“I guess the big question is, will it really change people’s attitude toward eating out?” said Lindsay Mazur, a Santa Rosa registered dietician. “You still need to use your judgment. It’s nice of them to tell you it’s 600 calories, but you still shouldn’t eat it.”
Customers eating lunch at local chain restaurants in Santa Rosa on Tuesday afternoon said they supported the law, but might not always make the best choice.
“I’d definitely pick up a brochure and look at it, then make a healthy decision or a hunger decision,” said Karen Lavender of Rohnert Park, while eating lunch at Daphne’s Greek Cafe in Santa Rosa.
“It’s a good idea, but it would depend on the moment,” said her dining partner, Patti Bassignani of Sebastopol.
Kandis Nelson of Santa Rosa said she finds such nutritional advice helpful because she has high blood pressure and likes to check out the sodium, fat and calories. But that didn’t stop her from ordering a Big Mac with fries and a drink at McDonald’s on Tuesday.
“I probably shouldn’t have,” she said. “But with all that sodium, fat and calories, it tasted awesome.”
Healthy Choices
Go online to find out more about the new law and nutrition:
www.calrest.org: The Web site of the California Restaurant Association; click on resources, emerging matters and menu labeling
foodpolitics.com: NYU nutrition and food studies professor Marion Nestle writes about the issue on her blog
eatright.org: The American Dietetic Association’s Web site offers information on healthy eating 
