Contra Costa supervisors introduce ordinance to require healthy checkout options at larger stores

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 introduced an ordinance that would require retail stores larger than 2,000 square feet in unincorporated parts of the county to stock healthier foods and beverages in checkout areas. The board voted unanimously to introduce the measure and set Oct. 7 for adoption.

County public health staff said the draft ordinance sets nutrition standards for checkout items and applies to the store area where customers queue and to a three‑foot radius around each point of sale. Under the draft, eligible foods would generally have low added sugar and 200 milligrams or less of sodium per serving; allowed beverages would have no added sugar and no low‑ or no‑calorie sweeteners; sugar‑free gum and mints would be allowed.

Th…