Senate Tackles High-Profile Fast-Food Labeling Law to Help Californians Address Obesity Crisis

California Center for Public Health Advocacy:

WHAT:

With obesity numbers in California tipping the scale at epidemic levels, the California senate health committee today begins hearings on a bill (SB 120 – Padilla) to offer citizens basic nutritional labeling information in chain restaurants and fast-food outlets.

 

WHY:

According to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA), a sponsor of the bill, fast food outlets and restaurants are exempt from national nutritional labeling laws making it virtually impossible for Californians to make wise decisions. For instance, without labeling few Californians would guess that McDonald’s Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips serve up a whopping 1,270 calories – more than half the total daily recommended calories for an adult and just one gram short of the total 67 grams of fat an average adult should consume in a day.

 

“Californians are fighting for a better diet,” explains CCPHA Policy Director Amanda Purcell. “Why shouldn’t they have the basic nutrition information they need to make healthier decisions?”

 

WHO:

As the senate debates this landmark legislation, there are key experts available to provide comment on SB 120′s role in addressing the obesity crisis.

 

— Senator Alex Padilla, San Fernando Valley, bill author (916) 651-4020

 

— CCPHA, bill sponsor and expert on obesity issues (530) 297-6000

 

— American Heart Association, bill sponsor (916) 446-6505

 

— American Cancer Society, bill co-sponsor (916) 448-0500 ext. 302

 

WHEN:

State Senate Health Committee Hearings begin at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

 

WHERE:

California State Capitol, Room 4203

Sacramento, California

 

CONTACT:

For quotes, background information and additional resources, contact Amanda Purcell, CCPHA, at (530) 297-6000.