The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is keen to have manufacturers show the nutritional facts on restaurant menus.
In response to the growing concerns with respect to health issues, the US FDA has issued two proposed regulations regarding calorie-labelling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments, and vending machines.
"These proposals will ensure that consumers have more information when they make their own food choices," said department of health and human services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
"Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier," she added.
Specifically, consumers would see calories listed in restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name and offering for sale substantially the same menu items.
According to the proposal, these establishments will include fast food joints, bakeries, coffee shops and certain grocery and convenience stores. Movie theatres, airplanes, bowling alleys, and other establishments whose primary purpose is not to sell food will not be subject to this proposed regulation. Additionally, the proposal has invited the public to comment on whether more types of food establishments should or should not be covered by the new rule. A companion rule proposes calorie posting for food sold in vending machines. The FDA is accepting comments on both proposed rules.
"Americans now consume about one-third of their total calories on foods prepared outside their home," said Margaret A Hamburg, MD, FDA Commissioner, "While consumers can find calorie and other nutrition information on most packaged foods, it's not generally available in restaurants or similar retail establishments. This proposal is aimed at giving consumers consistent and easy-to-understand nutrition information."
The initiative, under the Affordable Care Act, requires the disclosure of calorie and other nutrition information in certain food establishments and for certain foods sold in vending machines.
Additionally, on menus and menu boards, statements would be posted concerning suggested daily calorie intake and indicating that additional nutrition information is available on request. Under the proposal, this information would be displayed clearly and prominently on menus and menu boards, including menu boards in drive-through locations; and for individual foods on display. Consistent with the law, the agency is proposing that the following statement on daily caloric intake be on menus and menu boards to help consumers understand the significance of the calorie information in the context of a total daily diet: "A 2,000 calorie diet is used as the basis for general nutrition advice; however, individual calorie needs may vary."
www.fnbnews.com
In response to the growing concerns with respect to health issues, the US FDA has issued two proposed regulations regarding calorie-labelling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments, and vending machines.
"These proposals will ensure that consumers have more information when they make their own food choices," said department of health and human services secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
"Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier," she added.
Specifically, consumers would see calories listed in restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name and offering for sale substantially the same menu items.
According to the proposal, these establishments will include fast food joints, bakeries, coffee shops and certain grocery and convenience stores. Movie theatres, airplanes, bowling alleys, and other establishments whose primary purpose is not to sell food will not be subject to this proposed regulation. Additionally, the proposal has invited the public to comment on whether more types of food establishments should or should not be covered by the new rule. A companion rule proposes calorie posting for food sold in vending machines. The FDA is accepting comments on both proposed rules.
"Americans now consume about one-third of their total calories on foods prepared outside their home," said Margaret A Hamburg, MD, FDA Commissioner, "While consumers can find calorie and other nutrition information on most packaged foods, it's not generally available in restaurants or similar retail establishments. This proposal is aimed at giving consumers consistent and easy-to-understand nutrition information."
The initiative, under the Affordable Care Act, requires the disclosure of calorie and other nutrition information in certain food establishments and for certain foods sold in vending machines.
Additionally, on menus and menu boards, statements would be posted concerning suggested daily calorie intake and indicating that additional nutrition information is available on request. Under the proposal, this information would be displayed clearly and prominently on menus and menu boards, including menu boards in drive-through locations; and for individual foods on display. Consistent with the law, the agency is proposing that the following statement on daily caloric intake be on menus and menu boards to help consumers understand the significance of the calorie information in the context of a total daily diet: "A 2,000 calorie diet is used as the basis for general nutrition advice; however, individual calorie needs may vary."
www.fnbnews.com
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