FDA menu labeling under 21 CFR §101.11 requires chain restaurants of 20 or more locations to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards. Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health enforces compliance during routine food facility inspections.
Section 4205 of the federal Affordable Care Act, implemented by FDA at 21 CFR §101.11, mandates calorie labeling for restaurants and similar food retailers operating 20 or more locations under the same name. Required disclosures include calories on standard menus, menu boards, and drive-through displays, plus a statement that 2,000 calories is a typical daily reference value. Written nutrition information including total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and protein must be available on request. Santa Clara County DEH inspectors verify postings during routine restaurant inspections under the California Retail Food Code; violations are referred to FDA for federal action while the DEH may flag local food safety co-violations. The county imposes no additional disclosure layer.
Persistent FDA menu labeling violations are pursued through federal warning letters, injunctions, and seizure actions; local DEH refers cases and may revoke food facility permits when health code co-violations exist alongside labeling failures.
See how Palo Alto's calorie labeling rules stack up against other locations.
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