Alcohol Excluded from Menu Labeling

While food items are the target of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) latest proposed menu-labeling regulations, your drink menu remains safe. Alcohol beverages are exempt from the proposed regulations, although calorie counts for juices and sodas would be required. The FDA language requires chain restaurants with more than 20 locations to post calorie counts of each item on their menus and menu boards. Daily specials and limited-time menu items would be exempt. Public comments on the regulations are being accepted until early June; the rules likely will go into effect in late 2011.