Last updated on February 15th, 2016 at 01:06 pm
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and National Grocers Association joined the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) in applauding action by the full House in passing the Common Sense Menu Labeling Legislation on Feb. 12. The bill was approved 266-144 and now moves to the Senate.
Hank Armour, NACS president and CEO, said the passage of the bill represents “another giant step forward in ensuring consumer choice and making it possible for convenience stores and others to comply.”
He added, “We need a common-sense approach to menu labeling that ensures more nutritional information and choice for consumers, while simplifying compliance for businesses of all sizes seeking to meet consumer needs.”
According to FMI, provisions of the bill include the following:
• Allowing use of a menu or menu board in a prepared foods area or next to a salad bar instead of requiring individual labeling of every item;
• Preserving local foods or fresh items that may only be sold at one or two store or restaurant locations;
• Allowing an establishment to take corrective actions within 90-days prior to federal, state or municipal enforcement and thereby providing some degree of liability protection; and
• Not modifying or weakening FDA’s or state officials’ current oversight/enforcement authority.
