More Menu-Labeling Talk, But This Time In Canada

Now that the U.S. has gone to uniform menu-labeling regulations—final regulations were announced last month by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—there are plans elsewhere for similar statutes. A proposal just announced by the Ontario government to require calorie posting in restaurants is getting a mixed reception as Canadian operators watched the long process and complex regulations and industry collaboration that was required in the U.S.

“As we have seen in the U.S. and UK, the many variables when it comes to preparing and serving restaurant meals make calorie posting regulations very complex,” said James Rilett, v.p.-Ontario for Restaurants Canada. “The United States FDA has been working on regulations for five years. This calls for a collaborative effort between government and industry to get the complex regulations right.”

For a number of years, Ontario’s restaurant industry has provided calorie information to their customers in various formats. Additionally, many restaurants have changed recipes and introduced healthier options, and several chain restaurants voluntarily participated in a national program to provide nutritional information to all customers in a standard format.