Schwarzenegger Says No to Restaurant Nutrition Labels

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to veto a bill requiring chain restaurants to include nutrition information on their menus leaves a "giant, greasy stain" on his record on health issues, according to a statement from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

Senate Bill 120 would have required restaurants with at least 14 locations in the state to display nutritional information on menus and menu boards.

"While I support providing people information to help them make healthy choices, this bill is impractical," Schwarzenegger stated in his decision not to sign the bill. "As written, S.B. 120 would place burdens and costs upon some restaurant owners while imposing no burdens or costs on others."

He added, however, that he remains committed to his Vision for a Healthy California, and called upon the restaurant community to "reiterate this commitment and continue to work with me, the proponents of this bill, and all Californians in developing effective ways to promote healthy dining options."

However, Margo G. Wootan, nutrition policy director with CSPI, criticized the veto.

"By giving into lobbying by McDonald's, Burger King and other big restaurant chains, Governor Schwarzenegger has turned his back on the vast majority of Californians who want to know what they're eating at chain restaurants," Wootan said in a statement issued after the veto. "The menu labeling bill could have helped Californians avoid obesity, heart disease, and many other deadly diet-related diseases, all of which account for more and more of the state's health dollars."

Wootan added, "Without calories on menu boards, you might as well throw darts. People may order the tuna sandwich (720 calories) thinking it's a better choice than the roast beef sandwich (560 calories) at a typical deli, or parents may not realize that the chicken tenders have 200 more calories than the ribs on the kids' menu at Chili's."

Senate Bill 120 was among several that Schwarzenegger vetoed over the weekend. Among the other bills that failed to win the governor's OK was first-ever legislation that would have required labeling for food produced from cloned livestock.

However, Schwarzenegger put his signature to a number of other pieces of legislation, including a ban on trans-fats in public schools, as well as a ban on phthalates in baby and toddler toys. Phthalates are plastic softeners blamed for interrupting with normal hormonal development. He also signed into law a ban on lead-based bullets in areas roamed by the endangered California condor, an OK for the import and sale of products made with kangaroo leather, and requirements for a new imprinting system for semiautomatic pistols sold in the state (the imprint would leave a unique, identifiable mark on bullets fired by the gun).

The governor had until midnight on Sunday to give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to outstanding bills from the state legislature.

Center for Science in the Public Interest: "Menu Labeling Veto a 'Giant, Greasy Stain' on Schwarzenegger Health Record." URL:(http://www.cspinet.org/new/200710151.html)