January 1st was a big day in California restaurant history. California’s 2008 menu labeling law went into effect that day, though it turned out to slightly different than originally intended.
The 1st became more a soft launch day, than the hard and fast deadline originally intended by California lawmakers. With the passage of the federal health care reform bill in March of last year, and its included menu labeling specifications, the federal requirements will supersede the state regulations. This evolvement in menu labeling requirements created a unique “3 month the date passed, but we’re not really going to get super worried about until the federal legislation kicks into effect so, it’s required, but we’re just not really going to enforce it” situation.
While many Californian restaurants chose to let the January soft deadline pass with out implementing changes, several did comply with the new regulations, rolling out calorie counts on menus. Calorie counts are displayed next to each menu item and price. Displaying calorie counts is the second phase of the state menu labeling law. The first phase rolled out in July of 2009, when California restaurants were required to provide nutritional information through table toppers or pamphlets available to restaurant patrons.
See examples of the calorie count menu integration in action here.
With the January date come and gone, focus is being redirected to the March 31st federal deadline.
Restaurant owners or managers with 20 or more locations will be required to comply with 4 requirements mandated in the federal menu labeling legislation. These 4 components are:
1. Calculate calories and nutrition information for all menu options. This comprehensive nutrition information must be available to patrons when requested. Many restaurants choose to provide this information in a binder or menu topper flip chart.
2. Post calorie counts for each menu selection on the menu, menu boards, and drive thrus. Calorie counts for each menu item must be clearly displayed for each item.
3. Provide a statement on menu boards and menus about the availability of full nutrition information upon request.
4. Provide calorie information (per serving or per food item) for self-service items and food on display, on a sign adjacent to each food item.
While California may be experiencing their own mini stay-of-menu-labeling-enforcement, the March 31st Federal deadline is just around the corner. If you are a restaurant manager or owner who has yet to take action on these new menu labeling requirements, you don’t need to panic, yet. Our team of trained professionals are hard at work ensuring that our clients are compliant by the March 31st deadline. Call us today to reserve your spot today!
Image used under Creative Commons from askaped.
