News

Menu labeling enforcement finally takes effect; doesn't apply to food trucks

May 9, 2018

As of May 4, restaurant chains with 20 or more stores must be following the long-delayed menu-labeling regulations or face the possibility of penalties. A spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration told Food Truck Operator the law does not apply to food trucks.

The legislation — one of the last remaining pieces of the 2010 Affordable Care Act — was designed  to help Americans eat more healthfully by making information like menu item calories, sodium and fat content apparent for restaurant customers. 

Restaurants must now comply with the law, along with grocery and convenience stores, vending machines and movie theater concessions.

Though the rules were finalized five years ago, a number of delays to allow for system-wide compliance have ultimately put the enforcement on hold until today. 

But the FDA has said that over the next year, regulators will seek more to educate than strongly enforce the law due to the level of concern by all manner food service and supply industry business owners and leaders. 

The National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President Cicely Simpson said, "By setting a clear standard, this rule provides the necessary guidance and expectations for America's restaurants to follow in order to continue delivering a high-quality experience and customer service to everyone who walks through our do