WASHINGTON – Following up on the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement of a draft guidance document that addresses some of the questions raised about its final menu-labeling rule, NACS is providing its members with a summary of the final rule (PDF), as well as a general understanding of their obligations by the December 2016 compliance deadline.

The FDA’s menu-labeling rule states that establishments covered by the rule must post calories for standard menu items on menus or menu boards or, for self-service items and foods on display, on signs adjacent to the items. They also will be required to provide additional written nutrition information to consumers upon request. Covered establishments must begin complying with the final rule no later than December 1, 2016. 

It is important to note that many of the menu-labeling rule’s requirements are difficult to navigate—particularly as they apply to convenience stores. The rule is designed primarily for chain restaurants, and applying it to convenience stores creates many complexities that the final rule does not adequately address. NACS is working with members of Congress to pass legislation, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act, to allow its members and others to comply with the rule in ways that are more helpful to consumers and more reasonable for businesses of all types to follow.

Menu-labeling compliance obligations and strategy should be developed on a company-by-company, and often store-by-store basis.  To discuss the rule in further detail, contact Lyle Beckwith, NACS senior vice president of government relations.