Are digital menu boards legal for displaying calories?
FDA menu labeling requirements
The FDA's menu labeling rule applies to restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name. These establishments must list calories for standard menu items on menus and menu boards. Digital menus are covered, and the calorie information must be displayed adjacent to the item's name or price.
The rule also requires that you provide additional nutrition information (like total fat, sodium, etc.) in writing upon request. You can keep that in a booklet or on a website. For digital boards, you can rotate screens, but the calorie info must be available at the point of sale. Some states and cities have their own labeling laws, so check local regulations too.
- Applies to chains with 20+ locations
- Calories must be next to the item name or price
- Additional nutrition info available on request
- State and local laws may add requirements
How to display calories on digital boards
Most digital menu board software lets you add a calorie field to each item. You can display it as '550 cal' or '550 Calories' next to the price. Make sure the font is legible from the customer's viewing distance. If your board rotates, ensure the calorie info is on the same screen as the item, not on a separate screen that might not be seen.
If you update your menu often, keep the calorie information accurate. You may need to recalculate when ingredients or portion sizes change. Some POS systems can store calorie data and push it to the digital board automatically, reducing errors.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the rule applies to all restaurants; it only applies to chains with 20+ locations.
- Displaying calories in a font too small to read from the ordering point.
- Forgetting to update calorie counts when recipes change, which can lead to fines.