Does Your Restaurant Need to Provide Nutritional Information?

It is important for restaurant owners to understand the Federal and State requirements for menu nutrition labeling, especially as the United States continues to work to improve the health of all citizens through changes in federal regulations. Diners are increasingly demanding transparency about what they're eating. Providing nutritional information is becoming a standard practice, but not every restaurant is legally required to do so. Understanding whether your restaurant needs to provide this information can be complex, involving both federal and state regulations.

Federal Requirements: Who Must Comply?

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued menu labeling requirements for restaurant chains, franchises, and other establishments that have 20 or more locations and that sell restaurant-type foods. This includes any food expected to be eaten on-location or soon afterwards and may apply to other types of establishments, including concession stands, pizza delivery services, and those selling drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). These requirements primarily target chain restaurants, but it's essential to understand the criteria:

• Restaurant/Establishment is part of a chain with 20 or more locations
• Must be doing business under the same name
• Must offer the “substantially” same menu items

Key Nutritional Information: What must be included?

If your restaurant meets these criteria, compliance is mandatory. Non-compliance can lead to penalties and damage to your restaurant's reputation. Understanding the mandatory disclosure requirements for nutritional information can help ensure your establishment remains compliant and meets customer expectations. Here are the critical elements you need to know:

• Calorie Disclosure - Establishments must disclose calorie content for standard menu items on menus and menu boards. For self-serve and display foods, calories must be clearly listed near the item.

• Detailed Nutritional Information: Upon request, businesses must provide written nutrition details for standard menu items. This includes:
  > Calories
  > Fat content
  >Cholesterol
  >Sodium levels
  >Carbohydrate breakdown
  >Sugars
  >Fiber
  >Protein

• Mandatory Statements:
  > Statement of Availability: Menus and menu boards must also include a statement informing customers that additional nutritional information is available upon request.
  > Another statement should advise that daily calorie intake is based on a 2,000-calorie diet, but individual needs may vary.

State-Specific Requirements

If your restaurant is not part of a large chain, state-specific regulations might still apply. Some states have their own nutritional information requirements that can affect smaller establishments or those with fewer locations.

• California: Restaurants with 20 or more locations in California must comply with state regulations similar to federal guidelines, including providing allergen information.
• New York: New York City requires calorie counts to be displayed on menus for chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide. Additionally, warning labels for high-sodium items are mandatory.
• Massachusetts: The state requires caloric information for establishments with 20 or more locations, and specific signage requirements must be met.
• Washington: Washington State follows federal guidelines but also emphasizes the availability of educational materials about nutrition for consumers.

Determining Your Restaurant's Obligations

To determine if your restaurant needs to provide nutritional information, consider the following steps:

1. Determine if your restaurant is part of a chain with 20 or more locations. This includes franchises operating under the same name with similar menus.
2. Check State regulations: Even if you don't meet the federal criteria, state or local regulations might still require you to provide nutritional information. Check with your state's health department or regulatory agency.
3. Type of Establishment: Some states might have specific rules for different types of food establishments, such as fast food versus sit-down dining.
4. Menu Items: Evaluate whether your menu items qualify as standard items that require nutritional labeling. Daily specials or seasonal items might be exempt, but standard items typically are not.
5. Understand your consumer base: Consider the expectations and preferences of your customers. Even if not required by regulations, providing nutritional information can enhance customer trust and satisfaction, particularly among health-conscious diners.

How RL Labs Can Help

Navigating the maze of nutritional information requirements can be daunting, but RL Laboratories is here to assist. As experts in nutritional analysis and regulatory compliance, RL Laboratories offers a range of services to ensure your restaurant meets all necessary requirements.

1. Nutritional Analysis: RL Labs provides accurate nutritional analysis of your menu items, including calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients, ensuring compliance with FDA guidelines.
2. Allergen Testing: Comprehensive allergen testing helps you provide clear and accurate information to customers with food sensitivities or allergies.
3. Menu Labeling Support: From formatting calorie counts to crafting compliant nutritional information statements, RL Labs assists with all aspects of menu labeling, ensuring clarity and compliance.
4. State Compliance Advisory: RL Labs offers expertise in state-specific regulations, helping multi-state operators navigate varying requirements and maintain consistency across locations.
5. Ongoing Support: Nutritional information needs regular updates, especially with menu changes. RL Labs provides ongoing support to keep your nutritional data current and compliant with new regulations.

Getting Started

Determining whether your restaurant needs to provide nutritional information involves understanding both federal and state regulations. By assessing your establishment's size, location, and menu items, you can determine your compliance obligations. Providing nutritional information not only fulfills legal obligations but also builds trust with health-conscious customers. With the right support and resources, meeting these requirements can be a seamless part of your restaurant’s operations, leading to satisfied customers and a thriving business.

Leveraging the expertise of RL Labs ensures that your restaurant meets these requirements efficiently and accurately. To begin, you will need to gather your recipe including all nutrition details associated with your ingredients. If your product meets certain criteria, the FDA allows for database analysis of your recipe and generation of the label based on the data input. If your product is marinated or brined, laboratory testing will be required to determine actual nutrition components and then a label can be generated. Be sure to partner with a lab that uses non-disclosure agreements to protect the confidentiality of your recipes.