FSSAI Enforces Menu Labeling for Nutritional Compliance in Food Service Establishments

If you’re in the food service industry, you may want to take note of Sub-Regulation 2.4.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) First Amendment Regulations, 2020. This regulation specifies the requirements for displaying information in food service establishments starting January 1, 2022. However, FSSAI has issued directions that samples of food items listed on menus won’t be taken up to check nutritional information until June 30, 2022. This is to give FBOs time to adopt the practice of menu labeling in a self-compliant manner.

Additionally, e-commerce FBOs that sell food products mandated for declaration under Menu Labeling must comply as well.

Food Service Establishments that fall under these Regulations include Five Star Hotels (with Central Licenses), One/Two/Three/Four Star Hotels (with State Licenses) having outlets at 10 or more locations, Restaurants with Central licenses, Restaurants/Clubs/Canteens with State Licenses having outlets at 10 or more locations, Flight/Railway Caterers with Central Licenses, Departmental Canteens at the premises of Central Govt. Institutions, Cloud Kitchens/Dhabas with State Licenses having outlets at 10 or more locations, and E-Commerce FBOs selling food products of those FBOs mandated for declaration under Menu Labeling for such foods

Why is Menu Labeling Crucial ?

• Menu labeling regulations require restaurants and food service providers to provide accurate nutritional information for their menu items. However, this can be a daunting task for businesses who are not equipped with the necessary resources and expertise. Moreover, promoting healthy eating habits can be a challenge without a clear understanding of the nutritional content of menu items.
• Without proper nutritional information, customers may be unknowingly consuming high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar meals, leading to negative health outcomes. This can also lead to a loss of trust in the business and a decrease in customer satisfaction.
• Menu labeling is an important tool to inform consumers about the nutritional value and calorie content of their food. It’s pivotal for citizens to understand what they’re eating and make informed choices. By implementing menu labeling, restaurants can take a crucial step towards promoting healthy eating habits among their customers. When dining out, menu labeling is crucial for customers to make informed choices about what they eat. It also encourages consumers to choose smaller portions and promotes public health. 
• By implementing menu labeling, restaurants and QSRs can maintain their market share and gain a competitive edge as a healthy place to eat. Menu labeling has become increasingly important for restaurants and food service establishments, as consumers become more interested in knowing the nutritional value of the foods they eat. In fact, it is now mandatory for restaurants with 20 or more locations to provide nutritional information on their menus. However, it can be challenging for restaurants to accurately calculate the nutritional content of their dishes, especially if they offer a wide variety of menu items. This is where nutritional calculation services come in.
• Nutritional calculation services help restaurants and food service establishments determine the nutritional content of their menu items. This information can then be used to create accurate nutrition facts labels that comply with FDA regulations.

How Nutritional Calculation Services Work

Nutritional calculation services use a variety of methods to determine the nutritional content of menu items. These may include:

Recipe Analysis:

The service provider will analyze the ingredients and amounts used in a recipe to determine the nutritional content of a dish. This may involve testing the recipe in a lab to determine its nutrient content.

Food  Testing:

If a recipe cannot be accurately analyzed, a sample of the finished product may be tested to determine its nutritional content. This may involve sending a sample to a lab for testing.

Database Analysis:

Some nutritional calculation services use a database of nutritional information to determine the nutritional content of menu items. This database may include information on ingredients, nutrient content, and portion sizes.

Once the nutritional content of a menu item has been determined, the service provider will create a nutrition facts label for the item. This label will include information on calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients.

A Quick Glimpse at the Regulations;

If you’re in the food service industry, you may want to take note of Sub-Regulation 2.4.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) First Amendment Regulations, 2020. This regulation specifies the requirements for displaying information in food service establishments starting January 1, 2022. However, FSSAI has issued directions that samples of food items listed on menus won’t be taken up to check nutritional information until June 30, 2022. This is to give FBOs time to adopt the practice of menu labeling in a self-compliant manner.

Additionally, e-commerce FBOs that sell food products mandated for declaration under Menu Labeling must comply as well.

Food Service Establishments that fall under these Regulations include Five Star Hotels (with Central Licenses), One/Two/Three/Four Star Hotels (with State Licenses) having outlets at 10 or more locations, Restaurants with Central licenses, Restaurants/Clubs/Canteens with State Licenses having outlets at 10 or more locations, Flight/Railway Caterers with Central Licenses, Departmental Canteens at the premises of Central Govt. Institutions, Cloud Kitchens/Dhabas with State Licenses having outlets at 10 or more locations, and E-Commerce FBOs selling food products of those FBOs mandated for declaration under Menu Labeling for such foods.

Nutritional Information

To determine the nutritive value of food items, calorie and nutrition information should be calculated for all meals, platters, and portions being sold by food businesses. There are various methods for calculating nutritive value, including laboratory testing and nutrient analysis for standardized recipes. Another method involves using credible sources for the nutritive or calorific values of each ingredient. Food businesses must keep documentation of their sources and be ready to present them to Food Safety Officers when requested.

• When it comes to nutritional information, it’s important to include certain details. This includes the energy value in kcal, as well as the amounts of protein, carbohydrate (with a specified quantity of sugar), and fat in grams (g). If a nutrition or health claim is made, the amount of any other nutrient should also be included. 
• Any numerical information on vitamins and minerals should be expressed in metric units. If the nutrition declaration is made per serving, the amount in grams (g) or milliliters (ml) should be included for reference beside the serving measure. 
• Packages of edible oils, vegetable fat, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, edible fats, margarine, and fat spreads should declare the quantity of trans fat and saturated fat content. However, a health claim of “trans-fat free” can be made if the trans-fat is less than 0.2 gm per serving of food, and a claim of “saturated fat free” can be made if the saturated fat does not exceed 0.1 gm per 100 gm or 100 ml of food. 

Why Nutritional Calculation Services are Important

Here are several reasons why nutritional calculation services are important for restaurants and food service establishments. 

Compliance:

As mentioned earlier, restaurants with 20 or more locations are now required to provide nutritional information on their menus. Nutritional calculation services help restaurants comply with this regulation by providing accurate nutritional information.

Transparency:

Providing nutritional information on menus helps consumers make informed choices about what they eat. This can help promote transparency and build trust with customers.

Marketing:

Providing nutritional information on menus can also be a marketing tool. Many consumers are looking for healthier options when dining out, and providing nutritional information can help restaurants attract these customers.

Liability:

If a customer has a negative health outcome after consuming a menu item, the restaurant may be held liable. Providing accurate nutritional information can help protect the restaurant from legal action.

Choosing a Nutritional Calculation Service

When choosing a nutritional calculation service, it’s important to find a provider that offers accurate and reliable information. Look for a provider that:

• Uses up-to-date and accurate databases or recipes
• Has a reputation for providing reliable and consistent results
• Offers a range of services to meet your needs, such as recipe analysis, menu item testing, and label creation
• Provides support and assistance in interpreting the results and creating label

By using Nutritional Calculation Services, you can show your customers that you care about their health and well-being, while also staying in compliance with regulations. Besides, offering healthy menu options can attract new customers and keep them coming back for more.

Learn more about Nutritional Calculation Services and start promoting healthy eating habits in your establishment or call us now on +91-8588851888 or drop an e-mail to [email protected]. We will be happy to provide you with a proposal for Nutritional Calculation Services.