compliance
Calorie Labeling Compliance Checklist for Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City food service operators must comply with federal FDA menu labeling rules and Utah state requirements—both requiring calorie disclosure on menus and menu boards. Non-compliance can result in health department violations, fines, and operational restrictions. This checklist covers what inspectors look for and how to avoid common labeling mistakes.
FDA Menu Labeling Rule Requirements
The FDA's Menu Labeling Rule (effective since 2016, codified in 21 CFR Part 11) requires chain restaurants with 20+ locations to disclose calories for standard menu items at point of sale. This includes physical menus, menu boards, drive-through displays, and online ordering platforms. The calorie statement must be clear, visible, and proximate to the item name and price. Operators must also provide a succinct statement that 2,000 calories is the daily reference value. Salt Lake City health inspectors verify compliance during routine food service inspections and may cite violations under state regulations implementing federal standards.
Utah State & Salt Lake City Local Requirements
Utah Administrative Code R392-500 aligns with FDA menu labeling standards. Salt Lake City's Health Department enforces these rules through routine and complaint-based inspections. The city requires that calorie information be accurate within 20% of the established nutrient database value (per FDA standards), and must be based on USDA FoodData Central or other credible sources. Prepared foods, combination items, and any customizable menu options must include calorie counts. Digital menus and third-party delivery platforms (like apps showing restaurant offerings) must also display calories where feasible.
Common Violations & Inspection Checklist Items
Inspectors check that calorie counts are: (1) present on all required menu formats (physical, digital, drive-through); (2) accurate and based on documented recipes or credible databases; (3) prominently displayed in type size comparable to item names; (4) accompanied by the 2,000-calorie reference statement; and (5) updated when recipes or portion sizes change. Common violations include missing calories on new menu items, inconsistent labeling across different menu platforms, illegible or tiny type, and outdated figures from prior menu versions. Failure to correct violations after notification can result in fines up to $600 per violation under Utah code.
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