Santa Clara County Adopts Country's Toughest Nutrition Standards

SANTA CLARA (KCBS) — Santa Clara County's Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve the strictest nutrition standards in the country.

As part of an anti-obesity campaign, the county-wide food rules will apply to everything from vending machines to the county fair.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

At the county jail, prisoners already have ground turkey instead of ground beef in their spaghetti. Other consumers can expect machines to be stocked with healthier options like trail mix and water.

Harold Goldstein with the California Center for Public Health said obesity is hurting the state's economy.

"California businesses are losing $20 billion a year that affects them and the economy," he said attributing that figure to health-care costs.

The new ordinance will go into effect July 1st, but only at county-run facilities.

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