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Chicago alderman resurrects menu-labeling bill

CHICAGO A member of Chicago's City Council has renewed his effort to mandate menu labeling here, this time with a bill modeled after rules adopted by New York City.

Alderman Edward Burke refined a stricter measure he first presented 15 months ago. His new proposal, which he introduced Wednesday, would require restaurants with 15 or more outlets nationwide to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards.

Previously, he proposed requiring restaurants with $10 million in annual sales to post calorie, sodium and saturated fat measurements on menus and menu boards.

The first proposal incited the ire of the Illinois Restaurant Association, which at the time called it "unworkable." It also drew the criticism of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

New York City's menu-labeling rules, which are scheduled to take effect March 31, require restaurants with 15 or more units nationwide to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards. The New York State Restaurant Association is challenging the rules in court, arguing that only the Food and Drug Administration possesses the power to mandate menu labeling.

Menu-labeling requirements are gaining favor nationwide. A labeling mandate is expected to be given final approval by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors next week. In addition, statewide proposals are being considered by the California legislature.

Washington state's King County, which includes Seattle, this week has adopted a menu-labeling measure after hammering out a compromise with the Washington Restaurant Association. The King County rules require chains with at least 15 units nationwide to post information on calories, saturated fat, carbohydrates and sodium, but they give operators more flexibility in how they post that information. The new rules allow chain restaurants that use menus to post nutrition data in menu inserts or appendices, supplemental menus or electronic kiosks at tables. Chain restaurants using menu boards may now post nutrition data on signs adjacent to the boards, or elsewhere in plain view of customers waiting in line.

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