Since the 1987 Montreal Protocol first addressed and banned substances that deplete the earth’s ozone layer, phasing out refrigerants and chemicals deemed harmful to the environment has been an ongoing issue for refrigeration manufacturers. Today, the industry is facing the most sweeping, most accelerated and, according to NAFEM and the 155 refrigeration manufacturers it represents,…

California might have quickly changed its mind on requiring gloves for all food handlers, but there is unlikely to be a quick turnaround on any of South Carolina’s new but long-considered food-safety regulations. The state just updated its rules for the first time in nearly 20 years. In addition to a new requirement that all…

Two years after a federal law made menu labeling mandatory for some restaurants, a new survey reveals a small majority of Americans are using the information to influence their choices when ordering. The new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 57% of adults over 18 use menu-labeling information, such as calorie…

A new report from the National Restaurant Association’s Conserve sustainability program focuses on sustainability best practices for the foodservice industry to help operators save money, improve the environment and please customers and employees. The report, “Spotlight on Sustainability: Expert Tips from NRA Show 2014,” features tips, trends and real-world advice from industry experts who appeared…

The year-old law that would have required California’s foodservice workers to use gloves when preparing food was abolished last week. Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 2130, repealing the law requiring food and beverage handlers to change gloves every time they switched tasks or even touched other food. The “glove law” went into effect last January but immediately…

New York City’s ban on big sodas officially is dead. The state’s highest court has refused to reinstate the city’s controversial limits on sales of jumbo (more than 16 oz.) sugary drinks. The New York State Court of Appeals ruled on June 26 that the city’s Board of Health “exceeded the scope of its regulatory…

NAFEM has filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals against the U.S. Department of Energy, in response to the DOE’s final rule regarding energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment. The rule, issued March 28, updates DOE standards set in 2009 and outlines more stringent energy-conservation standards for some classes of commercial…

New guidelines for restaurant inspections have been issued by the Florida state agency that checks up on restaurants and food trucks. The rules from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation went into effect July 1 and are designed to make the inspection process more efficient by categorizing foodservice establishments into four sets of “risk…

California’s months-old law mandating that all foodservice workers wear gloves continues to be debated rather than put into action. The Senate Health Committee held a hearing June 11 on AB 2130, which proposes to repeal the no-bare-hand-contact law enacted Jan. 1. The California Restaurant Association testified in support of the repeal legislation, which was approved…

The National Restaurant Association has re-booted its Conserve website, which educates operators about sustainability and showcases how applying “greener” business practices will save money and help protect the environment. The revamped website offers videos, case studies, best practices and personal accounts of operators becoming more sustainable, reducing energy and water consumption, decreasing food waste, recycling,…