Whether nutritional labels are needed in for consumers to make the best choices in their everyday lives.

1. The Ethics of Menu Labeling Katie King

2. FDA Regulations
• As of December 1, 2015, the FDA requires disclosure of certain
nutrition information for standard menu items in restaurants and
retail food establishments
• Restaurants are required to present information, including
calorie counts, to consumers
• Menu Labeling- Applies to restaurants and similar retail food
establishments if they are part of a chain of 20 or more locations,
doing business under the same name, offering for sale
substantially the same menu items and offering for sale
restaurant-type foods.
• Vending Machine Labeling- Requires operators who own or
operate 20 or more vending machines to disclose calorie
information for food sold from vending machines, subject to
certain exemptions.

3. Outcomes
• Benefits
• Promotes the wellbeing of society
• Informs consumers of the nutrition
consequences of their food choices
• Provides incentives for restaurants to
provide healthier options for customers
• Costs
• Effectiveness
• Large expense
• May lead to restrictive eating

4. My Opinion
• Helps consumers make healthier choices on
a day to day basis
• Regulations do not force consumers
to make healthy decisions, rather
present them with all the
information to make an informed
decision
• Full nutritional information is not easily
accessible to consumers
• Restaurants post calorie information
on menus, but do not include the full
nutrition label
• Full nutritional information is
available in writing, but is not easily
viewed on restaurant menus

5. Questions
• Do you think the finical costs of menu
labeling outweigh the benefits regulation
adds to the common good of society?
• Does nutritional labeling affect your
decision making in restaurants?
• The FDA only requires businesses with 15
or more locations to participate in menu
labeling, do you think all restaurants
should be required to provide calorie
information?

6. Sources
• https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutri
tion/ucm217762.htm
• https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/LabelingNu
trition/ucm248732.htm
• https://www.eater.com/2017/4/28/15457546/menu-labeling-law-
fda-delayed
• https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/the-pros-and-cons-of-
published-calorie-counts-on-menus