Federal regulation 21 CFR 101.11 requires chain restaurants with twenty or more locations to post calorie counts. Dallas County does not add local rules; DCHHS may flag missing disclosures during food inspections in unincorporated areas.
Under the Affordable Care Act, the FDA menu labeling rule at 21 CFR 101.11 requires restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with twenty or more locations doing substantially similar business to disclose calorie information clearly on menus, menu boards, and drive-through displays. Texas has no state add-on, and Dallas County has not enacted a separate ordinance. DCHHS Environmental Health inspectors operating in unincorporated areas and contract cities may note apparent violations but enforcement is primarily federal through the FDA. Independent restaurants and chains under twenty locations are exempt. Vending machine operators with twenty or more machines also face calorie disclosure requirements.
FDA enforcement can include warning letters, injunctions, and seizures for chains failing to post calorie counts. Dallas County does not impose separate fines, though Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act actions may apply for misleading nutrition claims.
See how Mesquite's calorie labeling rules stack up against other locations.
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