In what is seen as a serious effort to tackle America’s obesity epidemic, the FDA is proposing compulsory calorie labeling on the menus of chain restaurants, vending machines and some other food retail outlets. Members of the public, experts, associations and advocacy groups are invited to offer suggestions by visiting a specific web page (see details at bottom of the page).

Kathleen Sebelius, HSS (Department of Health and Human Services) Secretary, said:

“These proposals will ensure that consumers have more information when they make their own food choices. Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier.”

In a communiqué issued by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) yesterday, the proposal will include chain restaurants and other similar retail food outlets.

The Agency would like customers to be able to view calories listed in restaurants and food retail outlets which form part of a chain consisting of at least 20 locations which trade under the same name and have substantially similar menus. Such outlets may include fast food restaurants, coffee shops, some grocery and convenience stores, and bakeries.

Businesses whose main purpose of business is not food, but also sell food will not be included, such as airports, movie theatres, and sports centers (e.g. bowling alleys).

The FDA is also inviting members of the public to make suggestions on anything that might improve the proposal, such as adding other types of food outlets which the current proposal may have missed out.

Another proposed rule would include compulsory calorie information in food sold through vending machines. Comments are invited on both proposals.

FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., said:

“Americans now consume about one-third of their total calories on foods prepared outside the home. 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.”

Known as the Affordable Care Act, its aim will be to reveal openly nutritional and calorie data on specific food outlets and some foods people purchase from vending machines.

Menu boards might also be required to include suggestions on how many calories people should be consuming each day, explaining that additional information is available if customers ask for it.

This data should be clearly and prominently visible on all menus and menu boards, including food restaurants that people drive through to pick up their meals.

The following phrase is proposed, to be included on menus:

“A 2,000 calorie diet is used as the basis for general nutrition advice; however, individual calorie needs may vary.”

Businesses with at least 20 vending machines will also have to include calorie information, unless that information is already clearly visible on the individual food packages being sold.

This proposed law would be a Federal one, which local and state governments could not overrule or adapt, the FDA added.

The FDA would like the public to comment on this proposal – until 6th June, 2011 (restaurants) and 5th July, 2011 (vending machines). Final rules are planned to be finalized by the end of this year.

The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for menu labeling for 60 days (until 06-06-2011). Comments on the proposed rule on vending machines may be submitted for 90 days (until 07-05-2011). The FDA plans to issue final rules before the end of 2011.

Click here to go to a web page where your proposals can be registered.

To submit a proposal:

  • Chose Submit a Comment
  • Enter the follow docket numbers in the “Keyword” space: docket number FDA-2011-F-0172 for menu items in restaurants and similar retail food establishments, and docket number FDA-2011-F-0171 for vending machines.
  • Select Search

Source: FDA and HHS

Written by Christian Norqdvist