SPECIAL EDITION
 REGULATORY ALERT

MENU LABELING PROPOSED IN NASHVILLE

The Nashville Board of Health may soon require chain restaurants to list the total number of calories for each menu item.  The labeling requirement will apply to restaurants that have fifteen or more outlets nationally.  If adopted, the law will become effective on December 31, 2009. 

Representatives from a number of trade associations and restaurant chains appeared at the public hearing late last year to oppose the regulation.  The regulation is set for consideration at the February 5, 2009 Board of Health meeting.

The menu labeling requirement will apply to any food establishment in Davidson County that is part of a group of fifteen or more food establishments, operating anywhere in the U.S., with a standardized menu.  The regulation requires that caloric information be displayed along with the name of the item and the price, in a font and format that is at least as prominent as the name or price of the item.  The requirement appears to apply to all food and drink items, including alcoholic beverages.  Click here to read further details of the legislation. 

You can learn more about the legislation, public comments and supporting data by clicking here. 

We encourage you to forward this information to the appropriate person at your company.  Your company may want to join in opposition to the proposed requirement.

If you would like to discuss this issue or have any questions, please contact Will Cheek at wcheek@bonelaw.com or 615.238.6308.