Today, the Food and Drug Administration released the final regulations for calorie labeling of standard menu items at chain food service establishments (with 20 or more outlets nationally), including at fast-food and sit-down restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, and movie theaters. Calorie counts will be posted for all items (including alcohol drinks) on menus and menu boards, and on display tags for salad bars, bakery items and soda dispensers. A companion rule requires calorie labeling for vending machines. The final rule for menu labeling is at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-27833.pdf and for vending labeling is at https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-27834.pdf.

The final rules are the culmination of a decade-long movement for better nutrition information at restaurant chains—building on the work of advocates and policy makers in states and localities, and finally in Congress, which in 2010 included a menu labeling provision in the Affordable Care Act.

Thank you to all who helped to support state and local policies and the national law, and weighed in to ensure strong final regulations. This landmark public health policy is the result of that combined effort.

We’ll get back to you early in 2015 about protecting the menu labeling rule from being rolled back by Congress. Big pizza delivery chains (led by Domino’s), supermarkets, and other Big Food lobbyists are already working with their allies in Congress to carve out special exemptions. And we’ll need to work together to draw the public’s attention to this new information and to educate them about how and why to use it.

To kick off these efforts, I hope you will share/adapt the model social media posts below.

Twitter

Today, @US_FDA released final calorie labeling regs on chain restaurant menus, menu boards, food display tags, salad bars, soda dispensers.

On average people get 1/3 of their calories & spend more than ½ of their food budget on eating out. #MenuLabeling gives needed calorie info.

Thank you @WhiteHouse for not exempting pizza chains, supermarkets & movie theaters from #MenuLabeling rules.

#MenuLabeling gives customers info they need to make their own choice about what and how much to eat.

Sometimes eating out is a special occasion, but mostly it’s a quick dinner or work lunch. Nutrition matters. Calorie info will help.

#MenuLabeling is leading to lower calories for menu items. http://bit.ly/1uY9Mzj

Kudos to @AMCTheatres for posting #calorieinfo at theaters! In about a year all movie theaters will too. bit.ly/1t0bdMX

We’re pleased alcohol drinks are going to be labeled at chain restaurants. Alcohol is 5th biggest source of calories for adults.

Alcohol drinks can be big sources of calories when eating out. A Mudslide has 700 cal. #MenuLabeling

Calories vary for restaurant drinks: a Lemon Twist Martini (200 cal) has half the calories of the Lemonade Shaker (410 cal). #MenuLabeling

Pizza industry should give up its lobbying crusade to get out of meaningful #MenuLabeling. Yes, we’re talking to you @dominos.

.@US_FDA made one mistake with #CalorieLabeling: calorie labeling for vending machines should be right on the machine so people can see it.


Facebook

Today’s announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requiring calorie labeling on chain restaurant menus, menu boards, food display tags, salad bars, soda dispensers, and vending machines is the result of a decade’s worth of work by national, state and local advocates and policy makers, who believe that people have a right to make their own choices about what and how much to eat, including when they’re dining out.




Sometimes eating out is a special occasion, but more often it’s a quick lunch at work or takeout for dinner. On average, people get 1/3 of their calories from eating out. Restaurant food is linked to obesity and less healthful diets. Nutrition matters when eating out, and menu labeling will allow people to make informed choices.



Without menu labeling who could tell that the Honey Pecan Salmon (830 cal) has twice the calories of the Shrimp Key West (370 cal). Calorie labeling at chain restaurants will allow people to make their own choices about what and how much to eat when dining out.




Margo G. Wootan, D.Sc.
Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest
1220 L Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-777-8354
202-265-4954 (fax)
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www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy

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