WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) introduced legislation to improve and clarify the final menu-labeling rule issued in November 2014 by the Food and Drug Administration.

FDA’s final rule says that if your store is part of a chain of 20 or more stores and sells any kind of prepared food, even if you're a franchisee of a larger chain, you must comply with the rule. The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 (H.R. 2017) clarifies that menu-labeling regulations are intended for standard menu items, defined as those items with substantially the same recipe, prepared in substantially the same way, with substantially the same food components that are routinely included on a menu or menu board, or are routinely offered as a self-service food or food on display at 20 or more locations.

Given the complexity of the regulations and the importance of providing consumers with accurate nutritional information, it is necessary to provide covered establishments ample time to ensure compliance. Therefore, the legislation extends the effective date of menu-labeling requirements to two years after final rules implementing the bill are issued.

During the NACS Government Relations Conference this past March, industry leaders asked members of Congress to support reasonable menu-labeling requirements. As of now, covered establishments must begin complying with the final rule no later than December 1, 2015 . To help with compliance, NACS has prepared a brief summary and compliance guide of the final menu-labeling regulations issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.