Restaurant nutrition labeling requires rounding calories on menus and menu boards. The calorie information we present to our clients takes care of this rounding, so no further action is required. However, on occasion, a client will request unrounded nutrition data. If you're working with raw data that requires rounding, then per 21 CFR 101.11(b)(2)(i)(A)(2), the below rules apply. Number of calories in a standard menu itemRound toFewer than 5 calories0 or 5 calories5-50 caloriesNearest ... Full Article
Calories on Beverages with Ice
Do you include ice when determining calories on beverages? Usually not, but it depends. Whencalculating calories for self-service drinks, ice is not added. Since the customer is dispensing thebeverage, they may opt to fill their cup without ice. How about drinks dispensed by staff at the back of the house? Ice can be included in calorie counts if it is restaurant protocol to add ice, and there are the means to dispense equal amounts of ice each time. This is usually accomplished with an ice ... Full Article
Alcoholic Beverages Exempt from Menu Labeling
Restaurants and similar food establishments covered under the FDA menu labeling legislation are required to post calories on their menus. Alcoholic beverages listed on a menu must also declare calories. However, there are some exemptions to keep in mind. Alcoholic drinks offered by your establishment but not listed on a menu, such as bottles of alcohol on display that are not self-serve and used for rail or mixed drinks, are exempt from menu labeling. For example, if a customer orders a gin ... Full Article
FDA Food Safety and Nutrition Survey (FSANS) Results
Results from the FDA Food Safety and Nutrition Survey (FSANA) have been released. The survey assesses consumers' understanding of topics concerning food safety and nutrition. The survey findings help inform and shape decision-making to promote and protect public health. Here are some key findings that relate to nutrition analysis: Eighty-seven percent of respondents have looked at the Nutrition Facts label. In addition to watching calories, consumers also look for total sugar, sodium and ... Full Article
Menu Labeling and Added Sugar
If you are familiar with the new Nutrition Facts label format established in 2016 it has a few changes from the old label, including the addition of "added sugar." We have received inquiries from restaurants wondering if they are required to provide information on added sugar under the menu labeling laws. Restaurants are not required to present those nutrients, including added sugar, that are on the new label that were not present on the old label. The final rule for restaurant menu labeling ... Full Article
