Do Lake Elsinore And Wildomar Residents Really Want To Know What They're Eating?

Diners at Lake Elsinore’s many chain restaurants will be shocked to see just how many calories they are really taking in when they sit down for a meal.

That will be the case if two FDA-proposed regulations are implemented.

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued two proposed regulations regarding calorie labeling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments and vending machines. 

“These proposals will ensure that consumers have more information when they make their own food choices,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Giving consumers clear nutritional information makes it easier for them to choose healthier options that can help fight obesity and make us all healthier.”

Under the menu-labeling rule proposed Friday, consumers would see calories listed in restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name and offering for sale substantially the same menu items.

Examples of these establishments include fast food establishments, bakeries, coffee shops and certain grocery and convenience stores.

Movie theaters, airplanes, bowling alleys and other establishments whose primary purpose is not to sell food would not be subject to this proposed regulation.

A companion rule proposes calorie posting for food sold in vending machines. Under the proposal, operators who own or operate 20 or more vending machines would post calorie information, unless certain nutrition information is already visible on individual packages of food inside the machine.

“Americans now consume about one-third of their total calories on foods prepared outside the home,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “While consumers can find calorie and other nutrition information on most packaged foods, it's not generally available in restaurants or similar retail establishments. This proposal is aimed at giving consumers consistent and easy-to-understand nutrition information.”

The FDA invites the public to comment on whether additional types of food establishments should or should not be covered by the new rules. The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule for menu labeling for 60 days (until June 6). Comments on the proposed rule on vending machines may be submitted for 90 days (until July 5). The FDA plans to issue final rules before the end of 2011.

To submit your comments electronically: 

1. Choose “Submit a Comment” from the top task bar
2. Enter the follow docket numbers in the “Keyword” space: docket number FDA-2011-F-0172 for menu items in restaurants and similar retail food establishments, and docket number FDA-2011-F-0171 for vending machines. 
3. Select “Search”

To submit your comments to the docket by mail, use the following address:

The Division of Dockets Management
HFA-305
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

Be sure to include the appropriate docket number on each page of your written comments.

For more information:

www.ofr.gov/inspection.aspx