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 authority”…

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,…

Canadian bar and restaurant owners are applauding a budget announcement last week that standardizes the country’s specific tax on alcohol. The change will be official Aug 1. Currently, the specific tax on beer, wine and spirits varies according to where the product is consumed: at home via the c-store or grocery or in restaurants and…

If the federal minimum wage increases to $10.10 an hour from the current $7.25, will fewer entry-level jobs be created and will restaurant unit growth stall? That’s the prediction CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder recently made to CNBC. Puzder said that minimum wage hikes will lead to store closings and slower growth for his company’s…

Updates made a year ago to California’s Title 24 statewide energy standards will go into effect July 1. These Building Energy Efficiency Standards are updated on a three-year cycle, and the 2013 Standards will continue to improve upon the current 2008 version for new construction of, and additions and alterations to, residential and nonresidential buildings.…

Quick-service workers calling for higher wages were galvanized into action last week. Thirty-two busses filled with an estimated 1,500 protesters rolled up to the corporate headquarters of McDonald’s Corp. in Oak Brook, Ill. The protestors came from across the country; many were members of the newly formed Fast Food Forward, a movement of New York…

How stringent can the standards for energy efficient foodservice equipment be, and still remain financial viable and within reason for manufacturers and operators? The comment period is coming to a close this week on the notice for proposed rulemaking for energy conservation standards for commercial ice machines. The changes proposed by the Department of Energy…