Philadelphia, PA Public Health Rules: Calorie Labeling (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- chains with 15+ locations
- Must post
- calories per item, in-line
- Full nutrition data
- sat/trans fat, carbs, sodium
- Max fine
- $500 per violation
- Enforced by
- Philadelphia Health Department
Summary
Chain restaurants with 15+ locations under the same name must post calories and other nutrition facts next to every menu item.
Chain restaurants shall provide nutrition information for all food or beverage items listed for sale on menus as follows: (a) The total number of calories (rounded to the nearest ten calories), grams of saturated fat, grams of trans fat, grams of carbohydrates and milligrams of sodium, per menu item as usually prepared and offered for sale shall be provided adjacent to each item on the menu, in a size and typeface similar to price and other information provided about each menu item.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Philadelphia Code § 6-308, a "chain restaurant", one doing business under the same trade name as 15 or more other establishments selling substantially the same menu items, must list calories (rounded to the nearest 10), grams of saturated fat and trans fat, grams of carbohydrates, and milligrams of sodium next to each menu item, in type as prominent as the price. Menu boards may show calories alone if full nutrition data is available on request and a sign says so. The Health Department enforces it, and menus can't drift more than 20% from lab-tested nutrient values.
Violations & Fines
Health Department inspectors issue notices of violation; fines run up to $500 per violation, with a $150 remittance amount under the standard notice procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which restaurants must post calories in Philadelphia?
Is a calorie count enough, or is full nutrition data required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania public health rules overview
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