Calorie count laws explained

Calorie count laws are a type of law that require restaurants (typically only larger restaurant chains) to post food energy and nutritional information on the food served on menus.[1]

Studies of consumer behavior have shown that for some fast-food chains, consumers reduce calorie consumption but at other chains they do not.[2] In response to federal regulation in the United States, some restaurant chains have modified certain items to reduce calories, or introduced new menu items as lower-calorie alternatives.[3]

United States

The first U.S. menu item calorie labeling law was enacted in 2008 in New York City.[4] California was the first state to enact a calorie count law, which occurred in 2009.[5] Restaurants that do not comply can be fined up to $2,000.[6]

Other localities and states have passed similar laws.[7]

Nutrition labeling requirements of the Affordable Care Act were signed into federal law in 2010, but their implementation was delayed by the FDA several times until they went into effect on May 7, 2018.[8]

Legal challenges

In 2009, a federal appellate court rejected the New York State Restaurant Association's challenge to the city's 2007 regulation requiring most major fast-food and chain restaurants to prominently display calorie information on their menus. The rule applies to restaurants that are part of chains with at least 15 establishments doing business nationally.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: NYC calorie-count rule effective immediately: court. Apr 30, 2008. Reuters. 26 February 2010. New York.
  2. Web site: Study: menu calorie counts don't impact choices for McDonald's eaters - Health & wellness . The Boston Globe. 2013-07-22 . 2014-06-21.
  3. Web site: FDA Delays Calorie Labeling Rule Until Next Year . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230417202103/https://www.npr.org/2017/05/02/526514189/fda-delays-calorie-labeling-rule-until-next-year . 2023-04-17 . live .
  4. News: New Yorkers try to swallow calorie sticker shock. https://web.archive.org/web/20130420193424/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25464987/. dead. April 20, 2013. Rabin. Roni Caryn. July 16, 2008. NBC News. 26 February 2010.
  5. News: McGreevy. Pat. State to require calorie counts. 18 December 2017. Los Angeles Times. 30 September 2008.
  6. Web site: The Requirement to Post Calorie Counts on Menus In New York City Food Service Establishments (Section 81.50 of the New York City Health Code) . The Official Website of the City of New York . June 21, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140610210839/http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/cdp/calorie_compliance_guide.pdf . 2014-06-10 . dead .
  7. Web site: Menu Labeling. Center for Science in the Public Interest. 26 February 2010.
  8. https://wreg.com/2018/05/07/affordable-care-acts-calorie-count-rules-go-into-effect/ Affordable Care Act's calorie count rules go into effect
  9. News: Court upholds city's nutritional menu board rule. New York Times. 2009-02-17 . 2009-02-20 . Sewell . Chan.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Calorie count laws".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.