Newswise — The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Labeling Requirements. The finalized ruling for menu and vending machine labeling requirements were released in November.

The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior has supported this effort since the original legislation passed and has provided comments during several points in the process. Earlier this year SNEB partnered with the National Restaurant Association on an educational webinar regarding this legislation. The webinar and downloadable menu labeling resources are archived on the SNEB website.

“Research shows American’s eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home. A number of articles published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior support the body of research indicating that information on menus helps consumers make healthier decisions,” said SNEB President Kendra Kattelmann, PhD, RDN, LN.

The menu-labeling regulations, which were passed as part of the 2010 health care law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, require chain restaurants with 20 or more locations under the same brand to include calorie counts on menus, menu boards and drive-thru displays and provide other nutritional information to customers. The ruling also includes movie theaters, amusement parks, convenience stores, and the prepared foods sold inside many grocery stores.