Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Philadelphia to Require Nutrition Labeling on Chain Restaurant Menus

Philadelphia has become the latest U.S. city to require restaurants to list calories on their menus. In a 12 to 5 vote, the city council approved an ordinance requiring food service establishments with 15 or more outlets to provide the total number of calories, saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates and sodium for all foods and beverages offered for sale on menus. For items not on menus but on menu boards or with food tags, the nutrition information may be limited to the total number of calories per item provided that the additional information is made available to customers upon request. Restaurants that fall under the ordinance must comply by January 1, 2010.

For a copy of the ordinance click here. For a copy of an article in Philly.com click here.