News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > NEW LAWS: Posting Calories In Fast Food Chains Mandatory

NEW LAWS: Posting Calories In Fast Food Chains Mandatory

New Statutes Also Impact California School Menus

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Sacramento, CA - A series of new state laws becomes effective today, July 1, including requiring fast food chains with 20 or more California outlets to post nutritional information.

Nutritional information must be posted by fast food restaurants like McDonalds or be available for consumers beginning July 1. (Photo by Toddst2/Creative Commons.)

Each facility must disclose nutritional information or calorie count data about the food it serves. Restaurants can either list the calories in their standard items on menus and indoor menu board, or they can provide consumers with brochures listing the amount of calories, saturated fat, salt and carbohydrates in those items.

New legislation also prohibits schools from offering students fries, baked goods and other dishes prepared with oils, margarine or shortening containing artery-clogging trans fats, and it prevents high schools from selling sodas to students.

However, high schools may sell soft drinks at sporting events and other school-sponsored activities that take place at least 30 minutes after the end of the school day.

The authority for the administration of mandatory Ignition Interlock Devices (IID) switches from the court system to the Department of Motor Vehicles effective July 1. (Photo by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).)

IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICES - This new piece of legislation transfers authority for the administration of mandatory Ignition Interlock Devices (IID) from the state court system to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The bill also authorizes the DMV to require any driver, convicted of driving with a suspended license due to a prior conviction for driving under the influence, to install an IID in any vehicle that the offender owns or operates.

Effective July 1, all alcopops sold in the state must carry the warning, ATTENTION: THIS DRINK CONTAINS ALCOHOL. (Photo by Wikimedia Commons.)

ALCOPOPS LABELING - This legislation requires that flavored malt beverages, commonly known as alcopops, carry labels spelling out their alcohol content.

The measure is designed to alert parents, employees of stores, and law enforcement agencies that the drinks are alcoholic beverages despite their packaging.

FORECLOSURE CONSULTANTS - This bill adds some controls on foreclosure consultants and requires registration with the state Justice Department. Consultants must maintain a $100,000 surety bond. Homeowners must also receive a contract written in the language they request and have five days to cancel the signed document.

DRE LICENSE NUMBER - California's real estate agents must disclose their Department of Real Estate (DRE) license numbers on all solicitation materials intended to be the first point of contact with consumers. This includes business cards, stationery, advertising fliers, and other materials designed to solicit the creation of a professional relationship between a licensee and consumer.

FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDITS

Tax credits, to be administered by the California Film Commission, will apply to costs of production starting July 1. But the actual tax credit cannot be claimed until the 2011 tax return. The total amount of credits available is $100 million per year for five years. Of this amount, $10 million per year is set aside for independent films.

This article was first published on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 7:59 pm. This article has been viewed 652 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.