Advertisement

FDA requires chain restaurants to display calorie counts nationwide

Even alcoholic beverages must list nutritional information unless ordered from a bar.

By Matt Bradwell

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration introduced new guidelines Tuesday that will require chain restaurants nationwide to list nutritional information about all items on their menus.

Introduced as part of the Affordable Care Act, the new regulations require establishments with 20 or more locations to publicly and visibly list calorie totals for all dining options, and make available data on total calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, sugars, fiber and total protein when requested. The same disclosure standard will also apply to items sold at movie theaters and other entertainment venues and the few remaining exempt items sold vending machines.

Advertisement

"This is one of the most important public health nutrition policies ever to be passed nationally," Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told the New York Times.

"Right now, you are totally guessing at what you are getting. This rule will change that."

"Americans eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home and people today expect clear information about the products they consume," echoed FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg to ABC News.

Advertisement

"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."

Latest Headlines