LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Dining out with kids could be getting healthier. At least that's what several Louisville metro council members hope after they passed an ordinance Thursday evening that will require Louisville restaurants to make sure children have healthy options in the menus.
"Nobody's trying to play gotcha here," Councilman Rick Blackwell, D.-District 12, said. "We just want everyone on board to have the healthiest kids we can in our community."
The ordinance would require children's meals at restaurants - defined as when several different items are bundled together - include either a whole grain product, a lean protein, a cup of fruits or vegetables.
If a drink is included in the meal, the default drink will now need to be listed on the menu as either water, milk (or a non-dairy alternative), fruit juice combined with water or a drink that has less than 25 calories per 8 ounces and no artificial sweeteners. Customers will still be able to request soda or another sugary drink.
"The hope is that an adult presented with that will more likely than not choose that option," Blackwell said.
According to Blackwell, one of the co-sponsors of the bill, which passed with a 13-11 vote, the goal is to combat childhood obesity and the other health risks that come with it.
"We are looking for ways to make a dent in that," he said. "So last night's vote wasn't a silver bullet. It wasn't the one that's going to make that all turn around, but it's one thing that will make a difference, we believe."
But not everyone believes the menu changes will lead to behavioral changes.
"I think that most people when they go into a restaurant have in mind what they're going to get," Kentucky Restaurant Association President and CEO Stacy Roof said. "As a parent, I think you know what you're going to make available."
Roof said she and other organizations and restaurant owners did talk with council members as they worked on the ordinance to give their opinions. She said while almost everyone can agree promoting childhood health is important, the ordinance could pose challenges for some restaurants.
"What is in print on restaurant websites, restaurant menus, the drive-thru boards that you see or the menu boards in the restaurant and quick-service operations, those will have to be changed," she said.
Blackwell said the ordinance, if not vetoed by Mayor Fischer, will take effect in 120 days. Restaurants will then have one year after the ordinance begins to get everything in order before fines will be imposed.
►Contact reporter Dennis Ting at dting@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@DennisJTing) and Facebook.