FMI Supports U.S. Senate Efforts to get Clarity and Time on FDA Menu Labeling Ruling

May 18, 2015 – ARLINGTON, VA – Today, Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin applauded efforts by 32 bipartisan senators from across the political spectrum of the U.S. Senate, in addition to the U.S. Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, to request a one-year delay of the compliance date for grocery stores included under the final FDA chain restaurant menu labeling rule.

Sarasin commended the effort led by Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), saying:

“The Senate has spoken.  It is time now for FDA to address all the problems supermarkets have raised regarding the grocery industry’s ability to comply with a regulation designed for chain restaurants.

“Grocery stores are fundamentally not restaurants, and the vast majority of our stores do not have menus or menu boards for most of their products.  If FDA cannot – or will not – undertake this effort comprehensively via its regulatory authority and in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the regulated industry, we welcome legislation.”

For Media:

Senate HELP Committee Press release and letter [link]

Link to Supermarket Industry Priorities to Address FDA’s Rule [link]

About FMI

As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. FMI brings together a wide range of members across the value chain — from retailers that sell to consumers, to producers that supply food and other products, as well as the wide variety of companies providing critical services — to amplify the collective work of the industry. www.FMI.org