WASHINGTON, DC May 2, 2016 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced late Friday the final implementation date for menu labeling, requiring a variety of establishments to display calorie information for their ready-to-eat food and beverages starting in May 2017.
A statement from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) follows:
Thanks to the final menu labeling rule issued by the FDA and the newly-released guidance on the implementation of the law, next year consumers will have more nutrition information than ever before at their fingertips when they purchase food and beverages from many of the nation 's chain restaurants, vending machines, convenience stores, supermarket cafes and other food establishments.
With 20 percent of all cancers tied to poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excess weight, it is critically important that consumers have access to calorie and other nutritional information when eating out to help them make informed choices about the foods they eat. By making it easier for individuals to see which food and beverage options are the healthiest options on the menu, we can reduce a significant risk factor for cancer and other chronic diseases.
For more information on the requirements, read the ACS CAN statement issued around the release of the final menu labeling regulations.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.æ ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jill Courtney or Alissa Crispino
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 585-3278 or (202) 661-5772
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]