FDA Still Seeking Feedback On Menu Labeling

Comments are not rolling in for the FDA’s draft guidance on chain restaurant menu labeling.

The agency issued the document, “A Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Other Retail Establishments Selling Away-From-Home Foods–Part II,” late last month, hoping that it would help operators understand nutrition labeling requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and implement regulations that may apply to them. The FDA pushed back the menu-labeling deadline in July, giving restaurants and other establishments until December 1, 2016, to comply with federal rules. That’s a full year beyond the original deadline.

The FDA is accepting written comments (via electronic submission or traditional mail) regarding this guidance which, when finalized, will clarify compliance with the menu labeling requirements, including those on providing calorie and nutrition information for standard menu items, including food on display and self-service food.

Only a handful of comments have been posted on the FDA’s website, most asking about the lack of information as to what operators must show authorities on how they determined calorie data and how foodservice establishments will be policed, and the lack of information on when or how they will be subject to authorities from FDA.

Read and comment here and here.