The law was modeled after an ordinance in New York City. Under it, chains with more than 20 locations will have to post calorie counts on menus or menu boards by 2011.  And they’ll have to offer brochures with nutritional information by next July.  Governor Schwarzenegger – a former bodybuilder – says the change will help in the battle against obesity. 

“When people go to the grocery store now, or the supermarkets, they can already read the labels and make informed decisions about what to eat.  But now they also have that pleasure when they go to the restaurant.”

An estimated 17-thousand restaurants will be affected. The California Restaurant Association had strongly opposed the bill.  But the group changed its mind after some local governments pushed for labeling.The Association decided a state standard was better than a patchwork of local regulations.