California Restaurant Association Calls for Flexible Approach to Nutritional Information...

California Restaurant Association Calls for Flexible Approach to Nutritional Information Disclosure

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
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.

California Restaurant Association
Daniel Conway, 916-498-7780

Copyright Business Wire 2008