Frequently Asked Questions about nutrition labeling

Nutrition information must be provided by chain food establishments with:

1. the same name
2. operating permits from Public Health - Seattle & King County
3. 15 or more locations in King County or nationwide; this legislation does not affect food establishments with 14 or fewer locations
4. gross annual revenues of $1 million or more
5. standardized menu items that use standard recipes

All of the criteria need to be met for food establishments to be affected.

The legislation passed by the King County Board of Health requires the chain food establishments that fit under the regulations to provide nutrition menu labeling for standard menu items on the menu for more than 90 days. The required nutrition information includes total calories, milligrams of sodium and saturated fat and carbohydrate.

Food establishments with a menu board (overhead menu), must provide calorie information in one of the following ways: on the menu board next to each standard menu item, on an easy-to-read sign posted next to the menu board or on a sign located at eye level while in line. Calories must be displayed in a typeface similar to other information about each menu item and no smaller than nine-point font. Since menu boards provide calorie information only, information for the other three nutrients must be available in a clear and visible format at the point of ordering.

Food establishments will have August 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 to conduct the nutritional analysis and put the information on menus and menu boards, or, to show their Public Health inspectors that they are making efforts to comply, if asked. Violations will not be issued until January 1, 2009 giving chain food establishments more time to change and print new menus.

• Read the complete Board of Health legislation on nutrition menu labeling, BOH Regulation #08-02 (PDF)
  An amendment for the protection of the public health through the nutrition labeling of food.

Menus: Chain food establishments that fit the criteria established by the regulation are required to provide the nutrition information (calories, saturated fat, carbohydrates and sodium) either on their menus next to each menu item in a similar size font or as an insert, appendix, supplemental menu or electronic kiosk at the table.

Menu Boards: Chain food establishments with menu boards are required to post calories for each menu item in a similar type of lettering as the other item information and in no smaller than nine-point font. Calorie information can be made available on the menu board next to each standard menu item, on an easy-to-read sign posted next to the menu board or on a sign located at eye level while in line. The other nutrient information must be available to customers in the form of a pamphlet or other material plainly visible at the point of ordering.

• See model menu boards.

Chain food establishments use standardized menus and recipes across many locations. Their standard menu item recipes usually remain fairly constant. Labeling the menus in these chain food establishments is a practical and efficient approach that can reach many people. This enables customers to make informed decisions using the nutrition information at the point of purchasing.

Providing basic nutrition information provides consumers with information to help them to make the menu choices that are right for them.

• About half of adult consumers report that using food package nutrition information led them to change their mind about buying a food product.
• Research studies have found that using food labels is associated with eating a more healthful diet.
• Studies have documented that without nutrition information available, it is difficult to estimate the caloric content of restaurant foods.
• Studies have found that about two-thirds of consumers support having nutrition information on menus or menu boards at chain restaurants.

Test your calorie knowledge of food establishment meals

There is an epidemic of overweight and obesity in King County, where over half of adults -- 719,000 people -- are overweight or obese. Obesity is directly related to an increase in chronic disease rates. For example, the number of people with diabetes has doubled in the past ten years, affecting over 84,000 King County adults, or nearly 6% of the adult population.

Obesity prevention is a priority for the King County Board of Health and Public Health -Seattle & King County. It is part of King County’s goal to provide reliable information and an environment in which all people can make informed decisions that impact their health. Public Health and the Board of Health sponsor the King County Overweight Initiative, and the Board of Health has adopted resolutions supporting community efforts to improve access to healthier foods and to provide more opportunities for physical activity.

Learn more about the King County Overweight Prevention Initiative and the Board of Health healthy eating and active living resolutions.

For chain food establishments, Public Health will provide information to food establishments through mailings and Public Health inspectors. Food establishments can submit questions online.

For the general public, Public Health will work with community partners on a public education campaign to be launched in 2008 to raise awareness about the new menu labeling requirements. The education campaign will also assist the public in using the nutrition information to make informed choices when eating out at chain food establishments.