California Restaurant Association Voices Disappointment In Passage of SB 120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2007

Sacramento, Calif. – California Restaurant Association President and CEO Jot Condie made the following statement regarding the passage of Senate Bill 120 by the state Legislature:

“The California Restaurant Association (CRA) is tremendously disappointed with the Legislature's approval of SB 120. This legislation places an onerous and intrusive burden on restaurateurs that will have no affect on obesity rates and opens the door for frivolous shakedown lawsuits.

“While the CRA supports efforts to help fight obesity and advance public health in California, this legislation is not the answer. Store-bought food has been labeled with nutritional information since 1990, yet obesity rates have continued to rise dramatically since then.

“Obesity is a very complex issue that is rooted in an individual’s choice of diet and exercise, genetic predispositions, cultural influences and socioeconomic status. This bill is just a legislative ‘feel good’ Band-aid that ignores the true issues behind obesity while punishing restaurants.

“The restaurant industry is an industry of choice and is driven by consumer demand. We have every incentive to serve our customers the food they want. As a result more and more establishments are offering healthy menu options—customers are in turn rewarding these restaurants with more business.

“This bill passed by a very low margin in both the Assembly and Senate in the last days of session. We are asking Governor Schwarzenegger to veto SB 120 when it gets to his desk.”