FDA Releases Small Entity Compliance Guide On Menu Labeling

The guidance represents FDA’s current thinking on nutrition labeling of standard menu items in restaurants and similar retail food establishments and is intended to help small entities comply with the final rule that becomes effective Dec. 1, 2015.

March 12, 2015

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The guidance documents do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, guidance documents describe the FDA’s current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced menu labeling guidance, “Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments— Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG).” The guidance represents FDA’s current thinking on nutrition labeling of standard menu items in restaurants and similar retail food establishments and is intended to help small entities comply with the final rule titled “Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments,” which was released Dec. 1, 2014 and becomes effective Dec. 1, 2015.

The SECG is intended to assist small businesses in complying with the rule and restates the requirements of the final rule in plain language. FDA is also developing a SECG for vending machine labeling and intends to issue that guidance soon. Also, FDA intends to issue other guidance that will provide additional information to further assist covered establishments in complying with the requirements of the final rules.

Interested parties can submit electronic or written comments on the SECG at any time. Submit electronic comments to http://www.regulations.gov and written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.