The number of calories in your favorite burger and fries combo at your local drive-thru will soon no longer be a mystery. In 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up its effort to educate consumers about how many calories they consume every day. Americans take in about a third of their daily calories while away from home. Making calorie counts readily available on menus at chain restaurants can help all of us make informed choices, according to the FDA.
As of November 2015, chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments will be required to post calorie counts. Affected stores include those that are in a chain of 20 or more locations, doing business under the same name, and mostly offering the same menu items. They will need to list calorie information for standard food items on menus and menu boards, along with a short statement about suggested daily caloric intake. Information about other components such as trans fats, fiber and sugar must be available in writing upon request.
Source: Food and Drug Administration