California restaurant chains to post seafood warnings under settlement, 2-5-05

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California restaurant chains to post seafood warnings

under settlement, 2-5-05

Sun, 6 Feb 2005 09:30:57 -0800

 

California restaurant chains to post seafood warnings

under settlement

 

Associated Press

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO - Several major restaurant chains in

California will be

required to post warnings to customers about the

dangers of mercury in

fish

under a settlement approved Friday, the state attorney

general's office

said.

 

San Francisco County Judge Richard Kramer approved the

settlement of

Attorney General Bill Lockyer's April 2003 lawsuit

against such chains

as

Chili's, P.F. Chang's and Outback Steakhouse.

 

The state alleged that the restaurants violated

voter-approved

guidelines

that require businesses to post warnings when they

expose people to

substances that cause cancer or reproductive harm.

 

Under the settlement, the chains will also be required

to pay $132,287

in

civil penalties and another $132,287 to pay for

programs aimed at

educating

consumers about mercury in fish, as well as efforts to

monitor

restaurants'

compliance.

 

The settling defendants include Morton's, Bennigan's,

Ruth's Chris

Steakhouse, Yard House, Chili's, Outback Steakhouse,

Benihana, Landry's

Restaurants, Claim Jumper, Cheesecake Factory and P.F.

Chang's.

 

The settlement requires all but two of the chains to

post detailed

warnings

about mercury in fish, including a notice that young

children and

pregnant

women should limit consumption of tuna and avoid

eating swordfish,

mackerel,

tilefish and shark. The other two chains will be

required to post a

generic

warning about carcinogens and reproductive toxins.

 

The warning signs must posted near the restaurant's

front door, at eye

level

and with sufficient lighting.

 

Lockyer said the state isn't trying to discourage

people from eating

fish,

but ensure that consumers know when they're being

exposed to dangerous

substances.

 

 

 

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