Regional Roundup

Farm labor contractor surrenders license

A farm labor contractor that employed a pregnant Lodi teenager who died of heat stroke while pruning grapes has given up its license to operate for three years.

Officials with California's Department of Industrial Relations announced Wednesday that Merced Farm Labor had surrendered its license Monday, three days before proceedings to revoke its license were to begin.

The state suspects the Atwater-based contractor failed to provide 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez proper access to shade and water before she collapsed May 14 near Stockton.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement saying California would enforce heat illness regulations strictly.

The company's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Bill would require calorie counts on menus

California may become the first state to require chain restaurants to list the calories in their standard menu items.

The state Assembly approved a bill Wednesday that would require chains with at least 20 restaurants to include the information on menus or menu boards by 2011.

The bill by Sen. Alex Padilla, a Los Angeles Democrat, is a modified version of legislation Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed last year. The governor's office says he hasn't taken a position on this year's proposal.

This year's bill initially would give restaurants a choice.

They could list calorie counts on menus or menu boards or they could provide customers with brochures disclosing the fat, calories, salt and carbohydrates in the dishes and beverages they sell at least half the year.