POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

This act requires food service establishments that are part of chains of 15 or more locations to post calorie content information on menus, menu boards and food tags. Note: the federal menu labeling law passed in 2010 may impact this law.

Background Information

State New York
Jurisdiction Name Ulster County
Jurisdiction Type County,
Population Size 50,000-200,000
Legal Strategies
  • Requires something, sets standards
  • Provides education, promotes awareness, or provides information
Reach Community-wide
Food System Category Process; Get;

Policy Details

Refers to priority populations?
Yes

See references to "children," " first graders," "second graders," and "teens" § 205-3.

Emergency management?
No
Health-related linkage?
Yes

See, e.g., references to "healthy eating and living," "healthy weight," "public health crisis," and "calorie content values." § 205-3.

Environmental linkage?
No

Economic linkage?
No

Includes findings?
Yes

Several findings are cited at Sec. 205-3. They include, inter alia: "That in 2007 36.15% of the children attending school in school districts in Ulster County were overweight or at risk of becoming overweight;" "according to the United States Centers for Disease Control, since the mid seventies, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children;" and "a key recommendation of a recent Food and Drug Administration sponsored expert group report on obesity and eating away from the home was that "Away-from-home food establishments should provide consumers with calorie information in a standard format that is easily accessible and easy to use."" § 205-3.

Has a stated intent or purpose?
Unclear

Sec. 205-3(F) is not entitled "intent" or "purpose," but provides: "this article will require chain food service establishments in Ulster County to list the calorie content values of menu items on menus and menu boards. Such information, clearly displayed at the point of decision, will allow consumers in Ulster County to exercise personal responsibility and make informed choices for a growing part of their diets." § 205-3(F).

Includes definitions?
Yes

§ 205-4

Addresses implementation?
Yes

The Ulster County Board of Health may promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary to outline parameters and procedures and as may otherwise be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article." § 205-2(D).

Enforcement provisions?
Yes

"Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $200 a day." § 205-5(F).

Evaluation component?
No

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

Sections 205-1 through 205-6 are located in Part II (General Legislation), Chapter 205 (Food Service), Article I (Menu Labeling). History: adopted 4-7-2009 by L.L. No. 1-2009.

SHARE ONLINE:

TOP
Help us improve this site!

Help us improve this website by taking a quick two-minute survey.