The Campbell Reporter

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Calorie info may be required soon in county restaurants

The Health and Hospital Committee of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance that would require restaurants with at least 14 locations in California, including the county, to provide nutrient and calorie information for menu items.

Supervisors Liz Kniss and Blanca Alvarado agreed to send the proposal to the board on June 3 with a recommendation to approve the ordinance.

"In the face of escalating obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues linked to what we eat, providing consumer information when ordering a meal is important," Kniss said in a press release.

If passed, the Santa Clara County will join New York City, San Francisco and King County, Wash., in requiring calorie posting on menus. Statewide legislation proposed by Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles, was passed last year by the legislature only to be vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Providing people with information empowers them to join us to reverse the alarming trends in obesity and life-altering disease," Kniss said.