Senator Harper Angel plans to pre-file legislation before the start of
the 2009 session in January making it mandatory for chain restaurants
with more than 20 locations in the Commonwealth to provide calorie
information on menus and menu boards on all food and drink items sold.

During the 2008 session, she introduced legislation requiring that chain
restaurants provide dietary information. That bill, which received the
strong backing of the American Cancer Society and others, did not
receive a hearing, but she is hopeful that the outcome will be more
positive in the upcoming session.

Yum! Brands, which owns KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silvers and
A&W All-American Food, announced Wednesday that it plans to post calorie
counts on menu boards at all of its company-based restaurants in the
United States.

Senator Harper Angel is pleased that Yum is taking the lead she started
in Kentucky last session by posting calories, an action the senator
believes will help people make healthier choices.

"Obesity continues to be a growing problem in this country and the
problem is not just among adults, but also affects our children and
teenagers," she said. "We are much more sedentary than our grandparents
and great-grandparents and we are eating high calorie, high fat foods.
Diet and exercise are two key factors in the weight problem facing
Kentucky and the nation. Obesity leads to health problems, such as
diabetes, cancer and heart disease."

California's menu labeling law is the first enacted by a state, but
Senator Harper Angel intends for Kentucky to follow with such action to
lead the nation in this effort.

"This legislation is not aimed at telling people what to eat, but rather
in providing them the tools to know what they are eating so they can
make better dining choices," the senator explained.

Senator Harper Angel, who represents the 35th District, has served in
the State Senate since 2005.