NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Gov. Phil Bredesen vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have prevented menu labeling in Nashville.

The bill would allow the Metro Health Department to require large chain restaurants, those with at least 15 locations across the country, to include nutritional information on its menus.

The proposed bill would have prevented non-elected boards from mandating menu labeling.

The governor said in a letter Wednesday to Republican Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville that Tennessee faces an epidemic of obesity that's continuing to grow at a rapid rate.

Bredesen said the prohibition would "irresponsibly limit our state's ability to fight this epidemic."

The governor said he hopes the General Assembly will reconsider the issue next year.

Bredesen has rarely used his veto power since taking office in 2003, but this is the second time this session he has vetoed a bill. The governor also vetoed the guns in bars and restaurants bill, but lawmakers overrode that veto.