Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance entitled, “A Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Other Retail Establishments Selling Away-From-Home Foods--Part II”. The goal of this draft guidance is to “help restaurants and similar retail food establishments understand nutrition labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and implement regulations that may apply to them.”

The requirements include menu labeling provisions of section 403(q)(5)(H) of the (FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. 343(q)(5)(H)] and the final rule on nutrition labeling of standard menu items in restaurants and similar retail food establishments originally published by the FDA on December 1, 2014 (79 FR 71156).  

According to the FDA, Americans eat and drink about one-third of third calories away from home. By making calorie information available on restaurant menus, the agency believes it will urge consumers to make more informed decisions when eating out. The end goal is restaurants and other applicable establishments would be required to publicly post about the availability of nutrition information on menus and menu boards. In general, the regulations would apply to chains including restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and superstores that sell restaurant-type foods.

The FDA is openly accepting written comments (via electronic submission or traditional mail) regarding this guidance. Learn more at Regulations.gov.