Nutrition Regulation Map

Combined Map | Trans Fat Ban Map | Menu Labeling Initiative Map

Select your state or locality below to view the key highlights of foodservice nutrition regulatory initiatives.

California

California has lead the nation in statewide nutrition regulatory initiatives. In July 2008, California became the first state to pass a trans fat ban. The ban will take place in two phases. The first phase went into effective January 1, 2010 for oil, shortening, and margarine used for frying and in spreads. The second phase will begin January 1, 2011 for deep fried yeast dough and cake batter.

California has passed legislation that requires menu labeling in chain restaurants with more than 20 locations statewide. The nutrition information to be included per standard menu item is: calories, grams of saturated fat, grams of trans fat, and milligrams of sodium. Menu boards will be required to post total calories. This became effective July 1, 2009.

The state is also taking steps to ensure that nutrition regulatory initiatives are being applied in schools. By July 1, 2009, all school systems were required to eliminate all sources of trans fat in food served to students. Schools must also submit certification of compliance to the Department of Education annually showing they are complying in order to be reimbursed for the free and reduced-priced meal program for students.

Los Angeles

The city of Los Angeles worked with restaurants to voluntarily phase out trans fat and drafted a menu labeling ordinance. Both these proposals were preempted when the state of California adopted legislation banning trans fat and requiring menu labeling.