FDA Issues Final Menu-Labeling Guidance

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released final guidance clarifying some of the ambiguities in its federal "menu-labeling" regulations. Those regulations, which were finalized in December 2014, require calorie declarations on menus and menu boards for chain restaurants and retail food establishments, including many convenience stores. The guidance, released on April 29, 2016, starts a one-year clock until FDA begins enforcing the calorie labeling requirements, meaning covered establishments will need to be in compliance by May 2017.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released final guidance clarifying some of the ambiguities in its federal "menu-labeling" regulations.  Those regulations, which were finalized in December 2014, require calorie declarations on menus and menu boards for chain restaurants and retail food establishments, including many convenience stores. The guidance, released on April 29, 2016, starts a one-year clock until FDA begins enforcing the calorie labeling requirements, meaning covered establishments will need to be in compliance by May 2017.

As a general matter, the guidance contains little new information that FDA had not already released. There remain a variety of ambiguities and unnecessary complexities associated with the rule, which was designed for chain restaurants and not smaller format retail stores such as convenience stores located within travel plazas. 
 
NATSO is working with a diverse coalition of food retailers and restaurants to advocate for Congressional legislation that would provide real clarity to truckstop and travel plazas' obligations under the menu-labeling rules. The House passed the legislation on Feb. 12, and the bill is awaiting action in the Senate.
 
The FDA's final guidance is available here. NATSO has prepared a Menu Labeling Summary and Compliance Guide for Truckstops and Travel Plazas. 

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