so-called nutrient content claims and health claims on their food labels. In doing so, the NLEA gave FDA the mandate and authority to protect consumers from misleading nutrition claims and to help consumers make more healthful food choices through better access to credible nutrition information. The NLEA was also intended, in part, to establish a level playing field for nutrition information, presumably decreasing both the need and the opportunity for marketing “hype.” Additionally, by providing the opportunity to make positive claims about their products, it sought to encourage manufacturers to formulate foods with improved nutrient profiles, such as foods lower in sodium or saturated fat (Taylor and Wilkening, 2008b). It strengthened FDA’s authority to ensure truthful and non-misleading nutrition information on foods. The NLEA focused on information needed by the general population to follow general dietary recommendations. The result was the Nutrition Facts panel, established in 1993 and now found on most packaged foods, as well as the establishment of a framework for making nutrient-related claims and health claims.

Thus, the NLEA was directed to the labeling of foods, primarily packaged foods, regulated by FDA. In addition, FDA established a voluntary labeling program for raw fruits, vegetables, and fish.¹⁷ However, the NLEA exempted nutrition labeling for restaurant foods as well as packaged foods products sold only to restaurant/foodservice operations.¹⁸ Despite the exemption, and in light of the growing proportion of American meals consumed outside the home, FDA has sought to enlist the assistance and support of restaurants in addressing national obesity concerns by urging them to provide point-of-purchase nutrition information to consumers (HHS/FDA, 2004). As signed into law in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act¹⁹ contains provisions to address nutrition labeling of menu items. Restaurants with 20 or more outlets are required to post calories on menus, menu boards (including drive-thrus) and food display tags, with additional information (fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates, sodium, protein and fiber) available in writing upon request.

Further, the NLEA did not address advertising, which is under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission, nor did it cover foods regulated by USDA, which are primarily meat and poultry products. However, USDA voluntarily put in place nutrition labeling regulations consistent with those adopted by FDA.²⁰ USDA has in place guidelines for the voluntary nutrition labeling of single-ingredient, raw products and ground or chopped meat and