FDA Finalizes New Rules Requiring Calorie Information for Restaurant Menus, Vending Machines

Igor Dimovski/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday finalized a pair of new rules related to labeling of products in vending machines, chain restaurants and other retail food establishments.

“Americans eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home and people today expect clear information about the products they consume,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement.

The new rule will cover restaurants and retail food establishments with 20 or more locations that do business under the same name and offer largely the same food products. Those establishments will be obligated to list calorie information for all standard menu items on both menus and menu boards, along with a short statement regarding suggested daily caloric intake. That statement will read: “2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.”

Additional health information about the food will have to be made available in writing upon request.

Foods sold at grocery stores and other retail locations that are intended for more than one person to eat, or which require additional preparations — such as pounds of deli meats, cheese and large deli salads — will not be covered by the new rule.

The rule regarding vending machines will apply to operators who own 20 or more such machines and will force those operators to disclose calorie information.

Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio