Arlington, VA – The National Grocers Association (NGA) commended the U.S. House of Representatives for the passage of the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015 (H.R. 2017), a bipartisan bill that clarifies the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) final rule regarding menu labeling at restaurants and similar retail food establishments. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), passed the House floor with a bipartisan vote of 266 to 144.
“Independent supermarket operators are on the forefront of meeting consumer demands with a variety of innovative approaches, often tailoring their offerings to reflect the communities they serve. H.R. 2017 contains important regulatory fixes and provides flexibility for supermarkets to continue serving their consumers with local and unique food choices while ensuring consumers receive clear nutritional information,” said NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin. “NGA thanks Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) for their work on this bill and look forward to working with Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Angus King (I-ME) and their colleagues in the Senate to advance this common sense legislation.”
The FDA finalized menu labeling regulations at the direction of the Affordable Care Act in November of 2014. The regulations require that chain restaurants, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations list caloric information on their menus and menu boards. NGA has actively engaged with Members of Congress and the FDA throughout the regulatory process to ensure a workable solution for supermarkets.
About NGA:
The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.
Source: The National Grocers Association (NGA)
