US Makes Calorie Counts Mandatory on Menus

Calling obesity a “national epidemic,” the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new rules this week that will require chain restaurants and vending machine operators to post calorie counts on their menus. The mandate is intended to extend the 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, which established requirements for nutritional labeling on most packaged food items. Under the new rules, some menu items will be exempt, including seasonal offerings, daily specials, and condiments. Restaurants will be given one year to satisfy the new requirements, and vending machine operators will be given two years. More… Discuss