Tucked into the controversial healthcare legislation recently signed into law was a surprisingly uncontroversial provision requiring big restaurant chains to list calorie information on menus and drive-through signs. The measure was backed by the National Restaurant Association, which preferred a national standard to a patchwork of conflicting local ordinances. Restaurants with 20 or more outlets, as well as vending machines selling food items, will be covered by the law, which also mandates making complete nutrition information available somewhere in each location. Calorie counts will have to be listed for all standard menu choices, plus items on salad bars or buffets, but not for daily specials and limited-time offers. Exactly when the regulations kick in will be up to the FDA, which the legislation charges with proposing specific rules by March 2011. Although those rules will override many local laws, some more stringent regulations will be allowed to stay on the books, including New York Citys posting mandates for chains with 15 or more restaurants.
