ROCKVILLE, Md. - The Montgomery County (web | news) Council has approved a bill that would force chain restaurants to post calorie counts on their menus.

The measure was approved on an eight-to-one vote Tuesday, with Council member Mike Knapp voting against it. The regulations would take effect in July 2010.

Proponents say the rule would give consumers the information they need to make healthy eating choices.

"I would probably look for something healthier, lower calorie, you know, try to at least," said Sidra Halver, a Bethesda resident.

Patricia Deeds says she "needs to know because as you get older, we need to cut back."

"It's the items like salads that, I think, shock people when they see how many calories and how much fat's in certain salad dressings, and if they really knew it, they'd probably hold back," added Dave Watt.

But restaurant owners have said revising menus will cost them money. They say it's the wrong time for such a change because many restaurants are struggling in the recession.

The law would apply to restaurants with 20 or more facilities nationally and would only require calorie information.

A similar law is in effect in New York City.

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