2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26107283D

HOUSE BILL NO. 695

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the House Committee on Health and Human Services

on ________________)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Hayes)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01, relating to restaurants; sodium warning label required.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01 as follows:

§ 35.1-14.01. Restaurants; sodium warning label required.

A. Any restaurant licensed pursuant to this title that is required to comply with 21 C.F.R. Part 11 and Part 101 and serves at least one high sodium menu item shall include in a conspicuous manner a sodium warning label at the bottom of its menu.

For the purpose of this section, a high sodium menu item is any menu item containing 2,300 milligrams (mg) or more of sodium. Each menu item that provides for variations containing fewer than 2,300 mg of sodium is a high sodium menu item if any variation contains 2,300 mg or more of sodium. Electronic menus that allow for customization of items may display the sodium warning label dynamically when the consumer makes a choice that increases the sodium content of the menu item to 2,300 mg or more of sodium. Menu items intended for sharing that consist of more than one discrete serving require a sodium warning label only if each discrete serving contains 2,300 mg or more of sodium.

B. The sodium warning label required pursuant to subsection A shall display the following language in a clear, legible, and conspicuous format: "Sodium content higher than daily recommended limit (2,300 mg). High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease and stroke."