FDA Releases New Food Labeling Guidance | Practical Law

FDA Releases New Food Labeling Guidance | Practical Law

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued industry guidance entitled Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments - Small Entity Compliance Guide. The guidance document is intended to assist small entities in complying with the final rule entitled Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments.

FDA Releases New Food Labeling Guidance

Practical Law Legal Update 5-604-6565 (Approx. 4 pages)

FDA Releases New Food Labeling Guidance

by Practical Law Commercial
Published on 13 Mar 2015 • USA (National/Federal)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued industry guidance entitled Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments - Small Entity Compliance Guide. The guidance document is intended to assist small entities in complying with the final rule entitled Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments.
On March 13, 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released an industry guidance document entitled Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments - Small Entity Compliance Guide.
This guidance document explains the food labeling requirements under a recent FDA rule: Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments (Nutrition Labeling Rule) (21 CFR § 101.11). Among other things, the Nutrition Labeling Rule requires restaurants and certain retail food establishments to provide calorie and other nutrition information for standard menu items, including food on display and self-service food.
Parties in the restaurant or retail food business should carefully review the FDA's guidance document, which describes the FDA's current thinking on the Nutrition Labeling Rule, including:
  • Which businesses are covered by or exempt from the rule.
  • Which food products are covered by or exempt from the rule.
  • The various labeling requirements.
The Nutrition Labeling Rule becomes effective on December 1, 2015.

Update

After receiving several requests to extend the original compliance date, based on concerns that covered establishments could not implement the requirements by December 1, 2015, the FDA has extended the compliance date for the final rule to December 1, 2016.