At last! Menu labels in 2017!

Wonder of wonders, the FDA at last has issued its Final Guidance on Menu Labeling to go into effect a year from now.

Why astonishment? New York City has had menu labeling since 2008. The national process started in 2010.

Here’s the chronology:

YEAR	DATE	ACTION

2010	March 23	President Obama signs the Affordable Care Act which includes a provision requiring chain retail food establishments with 20 or more locations to provide calorie information for standard menu items.
	July 7	FDA publishes Federal Register notice soliciting comments and suggestions
	Aug 25	FDA requests comments on “Draft Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Implementation of the Menu Labeling.”
2011	Jan 25	FDA withdraws draft implementation guidance; announces intent to exercise enforcement discretion until rulemaking process is complete; requests comments.
	April 6	FDA issues proposed rule.
	May 24	FDA issues document correcting errors in proposed rules; extends comment period.
	July 5	FDA issues notice of proposed rulemaking.
2014	Dec 1	FDA issues final rule.
2016	April	FDA issues guidance for industry.

Happily, the rules will cover:

bakeries, cafeterias, coffee shops, convenience stores, delicatessens, food service facilities and concession stands located within entertainment venues (such as amusement parks, bowling alleys, and movie theatres), food service vendors (such as ice cream shops and mall cookie counters), food takeout or delivery establishments (such as pizza takeout and delivery establishments), grocery stores, retail confectionary stores, superstores, quick service restaurants and table service restaurants.

Center for Science in the Public Interest has produced celebratory graphics: