July, 14 2009

Across the United States, legislation is being proposed and passed requiring restaurants to display calorie and other nutritional information at the point of purchase.

IT STARTED IN NEW YORK
As of July 2008, New York City's Health Department requires most restaurants to make calorie information publicly available at the point of purchase by posting it on menus and menu boards, so that consumers can see it when they order.

CALIFORNIA FOLLOWED
In September 2008, California became the first state to enact statewide menu labeling legislation requiring restaurants with 20 or more locations to disclose calorie and nutrition information in a clear and conspicuous manner. This went into effect July 1, 2009, and in January 2011 these same restaurants must post calorie content information for standard menu items directly on menus and/or menu boards.

ACROSS THE USA
Similar legislation is currently under consideration in at least 10 states, including Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, Maine, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. Other states considering such measures are Oklahoma, Indiana, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, and South Carolina. Click here for a summary of pending legislation.

Federal legislation is also pending that would preempt existing state and local laws. The measure under consideration is similar to California's law, requiring chains with 20 or more units to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards.

The LA Times recently published an article describing how food service operators are addressing this legislation: Click here to read the article.

THE OPPORTUNITY
Savvy restaurant operators recognize this as an opportunity to implement Digital Menu Boards and Touch Screen Ordering Kiosks with dynamic content and nutritional information. As items and recipes change, going digital eliminates the need for printing and posting updated nutritional information. It also provides 100% compliance across a restaurant chain. The cost of addressing this challenge through technology is typically less than the costs associated with printing, posting, auditing, and penalties for non-compliance. Added benefits of going digital include digital merchandising, attracting new customers, and promotional tie ins.