News

Californians now able to count calories

December 29, 2010

Federal guidelines stipulating the display of nutritional information at restaurants will begin rolling out in March. California, however, is getting a head start. 

A state law requiring calorie counts to be displayed at chains with 20 or more units in California goes into effect Saturday, according to the LA Times.

Nutritional information will appear on menu boards and will include the notation “Cal” to signify its part as a state-level law. As the federal guidelines trickle into place, however, they will supersede California’s regulation.

A handful of counties in the state, including Los Angeles County, will not implement calorie counts until federal guidelines are put into place. Angelo Bellomo, director of environmental health for Los Angeles County, said the reasoning behind these counties’ decision is to avoid two separate installations of new menu boards within a few months.

The calorie labeling addition is part of the new healthcare law passed in March. The legislation requires nutritional information on chain restaurant menus, menu boards and drive-thru displays, as well as on vending machines. It applies to chains with 20 or more outlets.