What Does FDA’s Menu Labeling Enforcement Mean for You?

Required as part of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, any chains that sell restaurant-style food (which could also include movie theatres, bowling alleys, amusement parks, delis and grocery stores) would have to publish calorie counts on menus. The objective of these efforts, of course, is to give consumers clear and consistent nutritional information in an accessible way. In turn, lawmakers hope that making this health information readily accessible will help consumers make informed and healthful dietary choices.

Nationwide menu labeling has been an issue pushed by restaurant chains for some time. Due to varying requirements at the local and state level, restaurant chains with 20 or more locations may choose to be covered by the uniform national standard of the Federal law. Originally set to be enforced on December 1, 2016, Congress delayed enforcement one year until after the FDA issues its final guidance on rules.

In the anticipation of the enforcement, many chains have already started to label menu items with calorie counts (including Starbucks, McDonald’s and Panera Bread). It’s never too soon to start planning for these changes that will affect your operations.

Basic requirements (as featured in Nation’s Restaurant News):

• Menu should include calorie counts for the full menu item as it’s typically prepared
• Caterers must list calorie counts on their menus (for the entire platter of food or a per-unit basis)
• Alcoholic beverages on the menu
• Have other nutritional information (such as total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, etc) available

Exemptions:

• Temporary menu items which appear for 60 days during the year or less unless they use a nutritional claim (for example, a low-fat green St. Patrick’s Day Smoothie)
• Custom orders and food served as part of market tests for less than 90 days
• Alcoholic beverages prepared by a bartender and not on the menu
• Self-service food

Don’t delay! Take steps now to make sure you’re ready to meet these rules once implemented.

For more information about the FDA Labeling Requirements, visit the FDA’s website.