California Senate passed a bill on Sunday, requiring some 17,000 chain restaurants around the state to display calorie information on menus.
If Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the bill, California will be the first state to require restaurant chains to show calorie counts of their menu offerings.
Senators voted 24-13 for the menu labeling measure, SB 1420, which would take full effect in 2011.
"California is poised to become the first state in the nation to tackle obesity with menu labeling," said Senator Alex Padilla, who submitted the bill.
Padilla said he believes diners will make healthier food choices if they know how many calories they may consume.
He noted that nearly 16 million Californians are overweight.
But opponents said the bill would add a burden to restaurants and do no good to diners.
"It's an imposition on restaurants, including added costs, when most people who are managing their weight know pretty well how many calories are involved," Republican Senator Bob Margett said.
Source:Xinhua
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