California Restaurant Association Calls for Flexible Approach to Nutritional Information Disclosure

Business Wire, June 18, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Today the California Restaurant Association released the following statement on Senate Bill 1420.

The California Restaurant Association continues to oppose the impractical approach to nutritional information disclosure found in SB 1420 (Padilla). We share Senator Padilla's commitment to promoting better nutrition and healthier lifestyles. However, SB 1420 creates an unreasonable mandate that will impose significant burdens on restaurants and their customers.

There is consensus between Senator Padilla and the California Restaurant Association on some policy points. But the points of disagreement remain and these seem to be the basis for the Governor's veto of this bill last year.

Senate Bill 1420 is an inflexible approach applied to an industry that epitomizes creativity and flexibility. A "one-size-fit-all" approach represents the very opposite of what California's restaurants offer.

Unfortunately, the proponents' narrow focus on the location of the nutritional information - requiring the information to be on menus and menu boards - continues to stand in the way of creating a new standard that will be a step toward educating consumers about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

"We will continue to work with the Legislature and Governor to achieve a reasonable approach to nutritional information disclosure in restaurants," said Jot Condie, President of the California Restaurant Association. "That is why we are sponsoring AB 2572."

Assembly Bill 2572 by Assemblymember Parra offers a method that will guarantee access to nutrition information in chain restaurants that reflects the needs of consumers and allows restaurants the flexibility to provide it in a way that respects their customers' dining preferences.