California became the first American state that requires restaurant chains to inform clients on the amount of calories contained in their standard menus. The legislation to impose the new rule was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday and its main purpose is to promote healthier eating and combat overeating-related obesity.

"The way Californians order food is about to change," said Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla, the author of the bill.

The new law requires restaurants with more than 20 locations to reveal the information about the amount of calories contained in the items of their standard menus. The do date is 2011 and encompasses about 17,000 chains statewide. As a first step, starting July1, restaurants and drive-throughs will be required by law to present their clients information on the calories, saturated fat, carbohydrates and sodium contained in each item.

Last year, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill to require chains with over 14 locations to list calories, fat, salt and carbohydrates next to their standard menu offerings.The restaurants who won’t meet the requirements will be fined $50 to $500 by county health department officials.

When announcing the bill, Gov. Schwarzenegger described the new law as a part of California’s goal to set a national model of nutrition policy.

"This legislation will help Californians make more informed, healthier choices by making calorie information easily accessible at thousands of restaurants throughout the state," said the Governor.

The National Council of Chain Restaurants expressed its disappointment related to the signing of the bill and complained that the law is discriminatory to larger chains because approximately 80% of the state’s restaurants won’t be affected by the bill. NCCR president Jack Whipple said that a “consistent, uniform, nationwide standard” was needed.

Several cities across the United States including New York, Seattle and San Francisco have already imposed legislation similar to Schwarzenegger’s bill.