St. Louis Calorie Labeling Compliance Checklist (2026)

Federal FDA Menu Labeling Requirements

The FDA's menu labeling rule (21 CFR 101.11) applies to restaurants and food service establishments with 20+ locations. All menu items—including combo meals, sides, and beverages—must display calorie counts at point of sale (menu boards, signs, or items). Nutrition information must also be available in written form upon request, including total calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. St. Louis establishments meeting the federal threshold cannot exempt items or use abbreviations to avoid compliance. Panko Alerts monitors FDA enforcement actions daily so you stay informed of rule changes affecting your business.

Missouri State & St. Louis Health Department Standards

Missouri adopts federal FDA standards but the St. Louis Department of Health has its own inspection protocols for calorie disclosure verification. Health inspectors verify that calorie information is accurate, legible, and accessible to customers before ordering. Common inspection checkpoints include: visual confirmation of posted calories on all menu items, verification that nutrition reference guides are available, and spot-checks that posted values match FDA database submissions. The St. Louis Health Department also requires that any changes to recipes or portion sizes trigger updates to displayed calorie counts within 30 days. Failure to post required information is typically cited as a food safety violation during routine or complaint-driven inspections.

Common Violations & Prevention

The most frequent violations include missing calorie counts on drive-thru menu boards, outdated nutrition information after menu changes, and illegible or inadequate signage. St. Louis inspectors also flag inconsistencies between posted calories and nutritional database records. To prevent violations, conduct quarterly audits comparing your menu board calories against your supplier documentation and FDA standards. Train staff on why compliance matters (customer health and legal liability) and establish a process to update all customer-facing materials within the 30-day window after any recipe or portion change. Document all calorie label updates and retain records for at least two years in case of inspection disputes.

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