FDA to require chain restaurants to post nutritional information

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  Roy Graber

  Chain restaurants will be required to post nutritional information about the foods sold at their locations under a new FDA rule.

  From WATTAgNet:
  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 25 said chain restaurants and vending machines with 20 or more locations would be required to provide customers with full nutritional information including calorie counts about the food being sold.
  "Americans eat and drink one third of their calories away from home and people today expect clear information about the products they consume," FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a statement. "Making calorie information available on chain restaurant menus and vending machines is an important step for public health that will help consumers make informed choices for themselves and their families."
  Under the new rules, restaurants will be required to publish calorie information for all standards prominently on menus and menu boards. Food facilities at venues like movie theaters and amusement parks must also comply with the new rule.
  Temporary menu items and specials are exempt from the requirements.
  Establishments affected will also have to provide upon request detailed nutritional information for food items such as total calories, total fat, calories from fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, fiber, sugar and protein.
  The finalization of the new rules was required under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.