Posting calories on menus gains ground

NEW YORK, June 11 (UPI) -- Proponents of requiring restaurants to post calorie counts say a number of cities and states are in the process of following New York City's new menu law.

Legislatures in California and New York are considering measures that would force restaurants to post the number of calories for each selection, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

A measure mandating calorie disclosure has been passed by the California Senate and is expected to clear the Assembly later this summer. A similar measure is reported to be winding its way through the New York legislature.

An official for the Center for Science in the Public Interest says if two influential states like New York and California take action, it should spur other states to follow suit.

Opponents of labeling point to the cost of reconfiguring menus and having food tested for nutritional values, the Journal said.

Lara Dunbar of the California Restaurant Association says calorie counts aren't always the best measure.

"Diet Pepsi has no calories. Low-fat milk has 130 calories," she told the Journal. "What's healthier?"