ATLANTA A bill prohibiting Georgia’s counties from mandating menu labeling has moved to the desk of Gov. Sonny Perdue after being passed Thursday by the state Senate.
Lawmakers in Georgia have said the bill, believed to be the first of its kind, would spare restaurants from being over-regulated and confused about meeting requirements that could vary from county to county. The pre-emptive measure could become law as New York City, San Francisco and King County, Wash., are all preparing to put their menu-labeling laws into effect. The laws require some chain restaurants to disclose nutrition information, either on menus, menu boards or alternative media such as brochures or posters.
Anumber of similar provisions are under consideration in many cities, counties and states, and two menu-labeling proposals have been submitted in the U.S. Congress.
The Georgia Restaurant Association lauded the state legislature for realizing that menu labeling, if it’s required at all, should be mandated at the state level.
“I realize we may have to address this at the state level sometime. But we have chain restaurants in all 159 counties,” said executive director Ron Wolf. “Can you imagine the logistical nightmare chains would face if they had say 20 pieces of legislation pending? The fact that it passed so quickly and overwhelmingly shows the legislature understands the importance of doing things at the broader level.”
