Latest calorie craze gets traction in L.A.

It looks like the legislative trend of the moment -- putting nutritional information on restaurant menus -- might actually show results. Now there are measures under consideration by the city of  L.A.,  by L.A. county and by the state. Here's the latest out of City Hall from City News Service:

Large chain restaurants in the city of Los Angeles would have to provide nutritional information on printed menus and menu boards under a plan unanimously approved today by the Los Angeles City Council. The city attorney's office was directed to draft a city ordinance similar to one being considered by the county Board of Supervisors, which would require restaurant chains in unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County to display how many calories are in their menu items. Last week, the state Senate approved SB 1420, under which restaurants with 20 or more locations in the state would have to post calorie information on their menus and menu boards.

The Times' Rene Lynch last month talked to chefs about what they thought of the changes.

Photo: Akasha in Culver City. Credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

--Shelby Grad