FDA Releases Final Menu Labeling Guidelines. What Does this Mean for Franchising?

These new guidelines give franchises a head start to get their menus in compliance with the FDA's regulations before the May 2017 deadline

By Nick Powills1851 Franchise Publisher

SPONSOREDUpdated 8:08AM • 05/05/16

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released its final guidelines on menu labeling. Earlier this year, the FDA delayed the enforcement of menu labeling regulations for another year until the final guidance was issued.

The latest document from the FDA has been highly anticipated as it offers clarity on previous menu labeling regulations and features additional examples, questions and answers to menu labeling guidelines for covered establishments, alcoholic beverages, catered events, grab-and-go items and record keeping requirements.

In a statement, the FDA said it “is committed to working flexibly and cooperatively with establishments covered by the menu labeling final rule and to providing educational and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal regulatory partners to support consistent compliance nationwide.”

The FDA will be offering webinars and menu labeling workshops to help businesses comply with the implementation.

The release of the final guidance is the first step of executing menu labeling compliance for restaurants and businesses. Nation’s Restaurant News reported the countdown to this would begin once the Notice of Availability (NOA) is published in the Federal Register, which is expected to occur in May 2016. The recently released final guidance gives franchise restaurants and businesses a head start to implement menu label information for consumers. Nation’s Restaurant News reported that some restaurants have already begun this process and recommends businesses may want to work with nutrition experts to make sure their menu complies with the new guidelines.

To read the original Nation’s Restaurant News article, click here.