Menu Labeling: Helping Consumers Make Informed Dining Decisions
On April 1, 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidelines for menu labeling, which were passed into law as part of the 2010 Affordable Health Care Bill. The latest guidance from the FDA suggests that the law will be final by the end of 2011, with enforcement to begin mid-2012.
The regulations impact a variety of foodservice establishments, including all chain restaurants with 20 or more locations. Key elements of the guidelines include:
- Calories must be printed next to the menu item and in a font sized no smaller than the name or price, whichever is smaller.
- Nutritional information for eleven additional nutrients must be available upon request. Fat dominates this additional information, as calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat and trans fat information must be shared.
- Caloric information for both Combo meals (i.e., sandwich, side dish and drink) and Variable meals (i.e., pizza with different toppings) must be shared as a range. However, the additional nutritional information must be shared at the “component level” (i.e., each different topping or each choice of side dish).
- Caloric information for multi-serve items, such as catering and appetizers, must be communicated in total, although a “per serving” value may be communicated in addition to the total value.
- Any “menu” (in-store, drive-thru, online) must carry caloric information.
- Test items in-market for less than 90 days are not subject to menu labeling, nor are seasonal items in-market for less than 60 days.
Restaurant owners and chefs should consider the nutritional and economic benefits of changing cooking oil as they consider adjusting or adding items that are healthier and provide greater guest choice. According to the 2010 Gallup Study of Healthy Fats & Oils, 68% of consumers would eat more often in restaurants using healthier oils, such as Omega-9 Oils.
Four of the categories required in the “additional information” pertain to fat, encouraging restaurant chains to look for ingredients that will make these numbers more attractive. Using Omega-9 Canola Oil can eliminate trans fat and significantly reduce saturated fat levels, allowing for healthier versions of the same foods, without impacting taste.
