June 11 (Bloomberg) -- Chain restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Red Lobster would have to list calories on menus under proposed U.S. legislation that has won the backing of companies, nutrition experts and three senators.

The federal requirement would pre-empt state and local laws, including those in California and New York City, that mandate displays of nutritional information, Sue Hensley, a spokeswoman for the Washington-based National Restaurant Association, said in an interview today.

Restaurants with 20 or more locations would need to list calories on the menu or on menu boards, according to a summary of the legislation distributed by Senator Tom Carper, a Delaware Democrat, Senator Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, and Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican.

Consumers could request information about fat, sodium, carbohydrates and other nutritional aspects, the senators said in a statement. They said the measure may be attached to the broader health-care overhaul moving through the Senate.

Restaurants face “a growing patchwork” of labeling regulations around the country, said Hensley. She said the restaurant association is “strongly in support of this measure” because customers would get “the same set of information no matter where they go.”

More than half the state legislatures are considering nutrition-labeling requirements, Dr. Frank Greer, a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ nutrition committee, said in an interview.

‘Hodgepodge’ Across States

“Rather than have a hodgepodge across the states, we certainly agree there should be a national policy,” Greer said. “We feel strongly this information should be available at the point of purchase.”

The New York State Restaurant Association lost a legal bid in April to delay the New York City law aimed at reducing obesity.

About 32 percent of children ages 2 to 19 were at risk for being overweight or obese from 2003 to 2006, little changed from 1999, according to data published in May in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Of those, 16 percent were overweight or obese. The number of overweight and obese children tripled from 1980 to 2002.

McDonald’s Corp., with 14,000 U.S. stores, supports the legislation, spokeswoman Danya Proud said in an e-mail. Burger King Holdings Inc., which has 7,500 restaurants in the United States and Canada, issued a statement of support.

Among companies supporting the federal requirement are Darden Restaurants Inc., Dunkin’ Donuts Inc. and Brinker International Inc., according to the senators. Darden’s brands include Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and LongHorn Steakhouse. Brinker owns Chili’s Grill & Bar.

Groups supporting the measure include the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association, the senators said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Todd Shields in Washington at tshields3@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 11, 2009 18:21 EDT