Calorie Counts to be Required at Louisville Restaurants?

How come I'm just hearing about this?

The article says "some Louisville restaurants"... Anybody know what the rules are and which restaurants it applies to? This is extremely difficult ( and expensive) for local, independents to implement.
Deb

I remember reading about this a little while ago, probably when it was passed. I believe it only applies to restaurants the have above a certain number of locations (5 if I remember correctly) but didn't apply to restaurants that were just a single location. I guess it makes sense because many single location restaurants are continually changing their menus where as groups of the same restaurant (chains) don't do that so often.

[Robin Garr]

It's really aimed at corporate restaurants, affecting only restaurants with 20 or more properties. It goes into effect Monday, hence the sudden spate of media.

Here's an article from Louisville magazine:

http://www.louisville.com/content/louis ... ood-dining

And here's a page from the metro Health Department listing restaurants that are complying:

http://www.louisvilleky.gov/Health/Putt ... ntList.htm

Actually it only applies to restaurants that currently post their nutritional information online. Here is the communication I received by email today

On Monday October 15, Public Health and Wellness food inspectors will begin enforcement of a new Louisville ordinance that will require some restaurants to make caloric and other nutrition available on-site.

The new law requires any food service establishment that posts caloric and other nutritional information on its website or through other communications methods to make the same information available to customers on-site at the restaurant. The restaurants must post this information on their menus, menu boards or through some other means readily available to the public on-site.

The ordinance does not require restaurants to post the information on drive-thru menu boards, as long as the information is posted or available inside the restaurant. The ordinance also exempts any restaurant already in compliance with the disclosure provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which requires restaurants with 20 or more locations to provide caloric information for menu items, food on display, and self-service food.

“Consumers need good information to make healthy food choices when dining out,” said Public Health and Wellness director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt. “A number of local restaurants have already worked with the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement to voluntarily make nutritional information available to their customers. This new ordinance is yet another step to give consumers the information they need.”

Just prior to an establishment’s regular Public Health and Wellness food inspection, an internet search will be done to see if the restaurant posts nutritional information on-line. If the restaurant posts such information, the food inspector will have a printout of the posted information during the inspection and will ensure that the same information is available on-site at the restaurant on menus, menu boards or by some other means. Public Health and Wellness will also respond to complaints from the public to enforce the ordinance.

The ordinance calls for violators to have fourteen days to come into compliance and to be subject to a fine of $25.00 per day thereafter.

I verified with my inspector as well.

[Robin Garr]

Actually it only applies to restaurants that currently post their nutritional information online. Here is the communication I received by email today

I verified with my inspector as well.

Thanks, Brad. Can't trust the durn-burned news media ...

Way ahead of ya! We are a proud part of the first adopters of the Healthy Hometown Restaurant initiative. When we were approached about be a part of the launch of this program, we were a bit hesitant, but I have found over the course of the year or so we have provided this information it has been a huge boon. I get emails regularly from customers who are appreciative of the information and tell me things like "I'm on a _______ diet and could not eat at your restaurant before, but now that you have this information posted, I can make informed decisions that allow me to eat at your establishment." We have not seen a decline in diners, but we have seen diners make decisions about what the order.

And the best part, because we were a part of the initial round, our menus and nutritional analysis were covered by the government grant.

This is a great program, even if it is levied by the heavy hand of government.

Ronnie,
Now that I know your nutritional info is posted, I'm much more likely to come in. Great to be able to make intelligent choices.
Deb

Stevens and Stevens' new menu has calorie info prominently displayed on their new menu. I do appreciate it and it's very useful.