The new law requires companies to "post the number of calories for standard items on their menu and menu boards. The law requires that other nutritional information, such as saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and total protein, would have to be available upon request." The requirements also apply to vending machines.
Reuters reports that the requirements apply to restaurants with 20 or more location and other retail food outlets and will effect large chains such as McDonald's Corp, Yum Brands Inc. (operator of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut), Starbucks, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, IHOP and Applebees.
The FDA must implement the rules by March 2011, but the agency said that "it would hold off on enforcing them for an unspecified time period so that companies could make the changes. It also asked for public comment on how long to refrain from enforcement."
While some are critical of the new requirements, Dan Roehl, public affairs specialist for the National Restaurant Association, "said that the industry supports a national standard for disclosing nutrition information."
For the proposed guidance and other information about the new labeling requirements, click here.
To read the Wall Street Journal story, click here.
To read the Reuters story, click here.
Posted: 08/25/2010
