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King County eases up on menu-labeling rules

SEATTLE King County chain operators will have more flexibility and time to post nutrition data in their restaurants under a deal forged between the county Board of Health and the Washington Restaurant Association.

The rules, adopted by the board on Wednesday, soften menu-labeling requirements passed last year that would have taken effect this August. Operators now have until Jan. 1, 2009, to comply.

The earlier rules required chain restaurants to post nutrition information on calories, saturated fat, carbohydrates and sodium directly on menus or menu boards. 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.

The new rules also raised the threshold for what the county considers to be a chain, from 10 units to 15 units nationwide. That move reportedly exempts an estimated 1,500 restaurants.

In addition, restaurants no longer will be required to list trans fat content in the posted nutrition data. However, an earlier piece of legislation still requires all restaurants in the state to eliminate trans fat from their menu items by February 2009.

The board also ditched penalties for noncompliance, so long as the restaurant can show written proof that it is in the process of adhering to the rules.

Grocery stores and convenience stores are exempt from the menu-labeling requirements.

The softened rules were developed after the WRA threatened legal action on the Board of Health's original menu-labeling requirements.

Restaurant association officials urged members to comply with the more palatable regulations.

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