The Register-Guard: The Oregon Legislature on Monday approved a new law requiring chain restaurants with 15 or more U.S. outlets to post calorie information on menu reader boards or in menus. The bill now awaits Gov. Ted Kulongoski's expected signature.
If signed, the menu postings will go into effect in 2011, but chains must also begin making infomation about menu items' calories, carbohydrates, saturated fats and trans fats available upon request starting in 2010. The bill also pre-empts local governments from passing their own laws requiring restaurants and similar businesses to post calorie information.
In related news, The Hartford Courant reports that the Connecticut House of Representatives approved legislative Monday night to a bill requiring national chain restaurants with at least 15 restaurants to publish the number of calories for each food item on their printed menus and menu boards. The calories would be posted both inside the restaurant and at drive-thru windows, starting in July 2010. Gov. M. Jodi Rell has said she will wait to see the legislation in its final form before determining whether to sign it.
If the bills are signed, Oregon and Connecticut will join Massachusetts and California as states who have menu labeling requirements for chain restaurants.
Read also, Will national menu labeling take hold?
