In a law signed today, starting July 1, 2009, all chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in the State of California will be required by law to list calorie counts for food items on their menus and overhead menu boards. I applaud the move, but question how strictly it will be enforced. Sure, a restaurant will be noticeably non-compliant if calorie information is missing entirely, but will food items be tested to confirm that the estimates are accurate? Probably not.
More information from an older feature in the LA Times:
Calorie counts on fast food menus? California law would require it