Menu labeling bill OK'd by Calif. appropriations committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Assembly Appropriations Committee has passed SB 120 (Padilla), legislation that requires fast-food and chain restaurants to provide basic nutrition information on menus and menu boards. The bill now goes to the full assembly for a final vote.

The legislation won Senate approval in May, and is expected to be heard by the full assembly before Sept. 11. If passed and signed by the governor, California would become the first state in the nation to provide menu labeling rights to its residents.

Specifically, the bill requires the number of calories to be posted on menu boards. Printed menus would provide the amount of calories, grams of saturated fat plus trans fat, sodium and carbohydrates.