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Poll: Californians oppose 'menu labeling' mandate
August 12, 2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new statewide poll conducted by the Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that 62 percent of Californians prefer to have nutritional information available in restaurants, but not on the menu or menu board, versus 37 percent who favor a mandate to post the information directly on the menu or menu board.
The poll shows that while customers do want nutritional information available in restaurants, they prefer a policy that offers restaurants a variety of methods for providing the data. The poll also found that 55 percent of respondents favor a statewide standard over a system of local ordinances.
"Restaurants voluntarily began to make nutritional information available years ago because we recognized that many of our customers wanted it," said Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association. "But our patrons want a choice in accessing the information rather than the government determining how, when and where they receive the information."
The survey confirmed this preference as 56 percent of those surveyed said restaurants should have the flexibility to determine how to provide nutritional information to customers. Similarly, 58 percent of those polled said they were worried that the government will go too far in its efforts to require restaurants to provide nutritional information.
Recently, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties passed local menu-labeling ordinances. Additional ordinances are being considered, while the state legislature has considered two competing pieces of legislation that would establish a statewide standard for nutritional information disclosure. Restaurants have supported the creation of a statewide standard that allows for flexibility in the information display to meet the preferences of their customers.
"Restaurants are constantly researching and talking to their patrons; it's the nature of our industry to respond to and reflect the preferences of our customers," said Condie.
The poll of California likely voters was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, a Democratic public opinion research firm based in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the California Restaurant Association.
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