March 25, 2010

A new federal law will require restaurant chains to disclose calorie counts on their food items and provide information on how many calories a healthy person should eat in a day. 

Referred to as the nutrition information provision, the measure is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act that President Obama just signed into law. 

The provision creates a national, uniform standard for chain restaurants with 20 or more locations. Restaurants will be required to display calorie information for standard menu items as well as calories for each serving of food at a salad bar or a buffet line. Caloric information would be highlighted on menus, menu boards, and drive-through signs.  

The chains will not have to post calorie information for daily specials and limited-time items.  

The legislation requires the Food and Drug Administration to propose specific regulations no later than a year from now, but completing the rules could take longer.

Enactment of the national standard will negate the need for states and localities to pursue their own legislation. More than a dozen states have been considering labeling measures or have already passed them, though many have not yet taken effect. The new legislation overrides many existing laws, though some localities will be able to continue enforcing rules that are more stringent than the federal requirements.

The nutrition information provision was publicly supported by industry groups, health and consumer advocacy groups, and a bipartisan group of House and Senate members.

Click here for NRA press release.