Nutrition Disclosure Topic At NRA Show
An official of the National Restaurant Assn., brought attendees to the NRA Show up to date on the status of a new FDA law that would standardize menu nutrition labeling across the country.
Dan Roehl, senior director of government affairs for the NRA, said the new law wouldn’t be enforced until at least six months after the publishing of its final rules, which is unlikely to occur before November, and possibly later. The NRA has been working with the FDA on the proposal, which would affect restaurant chains with 20 or more units that have the same menu.
"We're hopeful we will see more time than six months, but we're advising operators to be prepared to implement them six months after the final regulations are released," said Mr. Roehl.
The law preempts existing municipal or state laws that vary in requirements. Those laws started cropping up in 2006, when New York City became the first government entity to put a nutrition labeling law in place. Such laws present special challenges to companies that operate regionally or nationally.
Caloric content of menu items along with the recommended daily caloric intake will be listed on menus or menu boards. Also, a statement that additional nutritional information is available upon request will be included on the menus. Exempt items are specials, condiments, limited-time offers, custom orders and test market items.
The FDA is still determining what similar retail food establishments, such as coffee shops and the law would cover pastry stores. "Our theory is it should fit the same definition as restaurants," including convenience stores and grocery stores, which currently are excluded, Mr. Roehl said. Alcohol is not included in the proposal because the FDA does not regulate alcohol, but that possibility is being evaluated.
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First Dunkin Donuts Distribution Center To Open In Western U.S.
The National DCP, LLC (NDCP), the Dunkin' Donuts franchisee-owned distribution and purchasing cooperative, has signed an agreement to lease a distribution center in Phoenix, Ariz. With a planned opening date of October, the Phoenix center will become the seventh warehouse in the NDCP network and the first located west of the Mississippi.
In January the NDCP and Dunkin' Brands Inc., the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced that they had signed a long-term, performance-based agreement for NDCP to be the exclusive supply chain provider for all Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the continental United States. Uniform product costs will be phased in over a three-year period beginning in 2012.
With almost 7,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the U.S. today, the company plans to more than double its current number of restaurants in the U.S. over the next 20 years.
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2012 James Beard Final Awards Announced
Winners were announced last week for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards, the nation's most prestigious recognition program honoring professionals in the food and beverage industries.
Highlights from this year's list of chef winners include the following: Outstanding Chef: Daniel Hum, Eleven Madison Park, New York City; Outstanding Restaurant: Boulevard, San Francisco; Rising Star Chef: Christina Torsi, Momofuku Milk Bar, New York City; and Best New Restaurant: Next of Chicago.
Best Chefs awards went to Marcel Presilla, Cucharamama, Hoboken, N.J.; Best Chef, Northeast, Tim Cushmann, O Ya of Boston; Best Chef, New York City, Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern Best Chef South, Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, Ala.; and Best Chef, Southeast had two award winners, Hugh Acheson of Five & Ten of Athens, Ga., and Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene of Atlanta.
America's Classics winners were: The Fry Bread House (Owner: Cecelia Miller, Phoenix); Nora's Fish Creek Inn (Owners: Nora Tygum, Trace Tygum, and Kathryn Tygum Taylor, Wilson, Wy.); St. Elmo Steak House (Owners: Stephen Huse and Craig Huse, Indianapolis); Jones Bar-B-Q Diner (Owners: James and Betty Jones, Marianna, Ariz.); and Shady Glen (Owners: William and Annette Hoch, Manchester, Conn.)
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Latest Word in Food Service...
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Eric Foss, former Pepsi Beverages leader, was named as president and chief executive officer of ARAMARK.
• The Mass, Restaurant Assn. State House Lobby Day is this Wednesday May 16 beginning at 8:45 a.m. The MRA is also planning a 2012 Restaurant Symposium On Marketing with Emerging Technologies Wednesday June 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Colonnade Hotel in Boston.
• W.J. Deutsch & Sons, a major wine and spirits company of White Plains, N.Y., has changed its name to Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits.
• Nineteen Greater Boston Bakeries are participating in CupCake Camp 2012, Monday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m, at The Center For Arts At The Armory of Somerville, Mass.
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