By: Danielle Dubrow
Fast-food restaurant chains have recently started complying with the FDA’s labeling provisions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 through modified meals, new menu items, and offered nutritional information.
According to FDA documents, restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a 20-or-more chain are required to display nutritional information on the offered food items.
The intent behind this proposal is to allow consumers to make better-informed decisions concerning their caloric intake.
According to a 2010 statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 states, including Oklahoma and Texas had an obesity prevalence of 30% or higher.
“One thing I’ve noticed is that people who go through the drive-through are usually obese,” Alejandra Mejia, shift manager of a Dallas-located Arby’s said. “…But many customers are becoming health-conscious…so we are coming out with healthier choices.”
Arby’s, like other fast-food restaurants, are utilizing this new proposal and consumers’ health-conscious mentality to offer more to the customer.
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| Dallas-located Arby's promotes meals under 500 calories with stand-alone flyer. PHOTO BY:Danielle Dubrow |
One of the methods Arby’s is using to promote healthier choices and follow the FDA’s labeling provisions is by using big stand-alone flyers within the restaurants. The flyer at this Dallas location advertised five meals under 500 calories.
Arby’s is also focusing on making kid’s meals healthier. Previously Arby’s only offered curly fries with a kid’s meal, but now kids have the opportunity to have apples, yogurt and milk with their meals.
McDonald’s, one of the most successful fast-food franchises is also onboard making kid’s meals healthier.
“The new Happy Meal will allow kids to have Apple Dippers with French fries,” Alex Pedraza, manager of a Dallas-located McDonald’s said. “The portions of each will be smaller.”
The new Happy Meal is set to be introduced next month.
McDonald’s abides by the FDA labeling proposal by putting nutritional information on the back of the tray mats. According to Pedraza, McDonald’s gives out nutrition facts to a customer who wants to know.
Starbucks, an establishment deemed “quick pace but not fast-food” according to Hosna Quraizhi, shift manager at a Plano-located Starbucks.
Prior to the FDA labeling provisions, Starbucks voluntarily provided caloric information on all of its beverages and pastries including information found on the drive-through menu.
According to Quraizhi, once Starbucks shifted to all-natural sugar, staff members were told to give out nutritional information. Customers have the opportunity to make Starbucks drinks sugar-free or nonfat.
Starbucks has a year-old campaign called the Do-It-Yourself-Frappuccino that allows customers to create a Frappuccino with any type of milk, any syrup, any base and other variations.
“The Do-It-Yourself Frappuccino was really successful,” Quraizhi said.
When asked about the provisions other fast-food restaurants are making to provide nutritional information on menu items, anonymous managers and general managers of Dallas-located Wendy’s and Taco Bell had no comment.
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| Burger King, is one of many fast-food chains that must comply with the new FDA provisions. PHOTO BY: Danielle Dubrow |
Restaurants will continue to change how to provide nutritional information to potentially help customers know exactly what they are putting into their bodies.
