NYC Requires Calories on
Menus
On December 5, 2006, the New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
announced that the New York City Board of Health
voted unanimously to require restaurants that
make calorie information publicly available
(e.g., in a brochure, on packaging or online),
to post it on menus and
menu boards, where consumers can see it when
they order. The calorie information must be in a
type-size that is at least as large as the price
or name of the menu item.
Also on the same date, the New York City Board
of Health voted unanimously that all
City restaurants be required to remove
artificial trans fat from menu items over the
next 18 months. New York City is the first
location in the nation to require this.
The adoption of both requirements by the New
York City Board of Health was strongly supported
by many leading national and local health
connected organizations.
Read announcement for
calorie posting requirement
and
trans fat requirement.
Commentary: According to news services,
other cities and some states are considering
similar requirements for calorie reporting
and/or trans fat elimination. Also, opinions of
nutrition and health experts that were quoted in
news reports regarding New York City's trans fat
and calorie labeling requirements lean toward
the belief that New York City is a leader, and
other cities and even states will follow with
similar requirements. Even in locales where
calorie labeling of restaurant foods is not
required, restaurants can provide a helpful
service to patrons by providing calorie and
other nutrition information in a clearly visible
format at point of purchase.
For background on FDA and other activity related
to restaurant nutrition labeling see the
Food Label News archive,
January 2004, May 2004, May 2005, July 2005,
July 2006, October 2006.
Food Consulting Company helps restaurants
provide all types of nutrition and allergen
information that can please customers.
For more information
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