Nutrition details could go on Oklahoma restaurant menus

The state Senate passed a bill Monday to create a task force to determine whether restaurant menus should list calories, fat grams and other nutritional information.

Senate Bill 1135, dubbed the "Healthy Choices Act,” passed with a vote of 37-8. It now goes to the House.

The bill by Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, would create a 15-member task force to study whether putting the information on menus would help diners make healthier choices.

The Task Force on Dining Information and Nutritional Education would be made up of two members from the Senate as well as advocates from health groups and a member from the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

Foes said requiring eateries to get the nutritional information on food they serve could cost smaller restaurants too much.

"How many workers would you have to fire to get the menus tested?” asked Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association has said it could cost as much as $5,000 per menu item tested. Bass said the association opposes the bill. Officials with the group did not return calls seeking comment Monday.

The task force would make recommendations to be reviewed by the Legislature, Bass said. The provision could apply to restaurants with more than 15 locations in the state. Many chain restaurants already have nutritional information published online or in pamphlets.

Oklahoma has consistently been ranked in the top 10 for obesity. A 2008 study by the Trust for America’s Health said the state had the ninth highest level of adult obesity. The United Health Foundation reported 29 percent of Oklahomans are obese.