Chain restaurants: children’s meals.

Senator Weber Pierson's children's meal legislation requires California chain restaurants to offer at least one menu option meeting specific nutritional standards, including limits of 550 calories, 700 milligrams of sodium, and 15 grams of added sugar. The bill applies to restaurants with 20 or more locations operating under the same name and offering substantially similar menus.

Under the proposed requirements, qualifying children's meals must contain at least two servings from designated food groups: a half-cup of fruit or vegetables, a half-cup of low-fat dairy, specified portions of meat or meat alternatives, or eight or more grams of whole grains. Chain restaurants must identify compliant meals with a prominent menu icon and incorporate the standards into employee training programs by July 1, 2026.

The legislation builds upon existing California law that already requires restaurants to make water, sparkling water, or unflavored milk the default beverage choice for children's meals. The bill's nutritional standards align with federal dietary guidelines and the National Restaurant Association's Kids LiveWell 2.0 program. Local health agencies would enforce the requirements through their current restaurant inspection processes, with violations classified as infractions under the California Retail Food Code.