SALEM Ore. A statewide menu-labeling mandate in Oregon advanced on Friday after it was approved by the state’s House of Representatives.
House Bill 2726, which would require chain restaurants with 15 or more units to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards, reportedly was approved by a 44-to-14 vote. It now proceeds to the state Senate.
California last year became the first state to require menu labeling statewide and implementation of those rules go into effect in July. Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved statewide regulations requiring that calories be posted by chains with 20 or more locations in Massachusetts.
Other states considering menu-labeling legislation include Oklahoma, Indiana, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, New York and South Carolina.
New York City last year became the first jurisdiction to enforce a calorie-posting rule at chain restaurants with 15 or more locations. Westchester County in New York, King County in Washington, Philadelphia and Multnomah County in Oregon have also adopted disclosure regulations.
In addition, federal lawmakers have introduced two menu-labeling bills at the national level.
Oregon’s proposed state bill is similar to that adopted in Multnomah County, which includes the city of Portland. The local ordinance went into effect March 12, although restaurants have until the end of the year to comply.
If approved as written, Oregon’s proposal would go into effect in January 2011. The measure reportedly would impact 181 restaurant chains in Oregon.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].