Can a restaurant provide information on “percent calories from fat” for a restaurant food or meal?
General dietary guidelines recommend a diet that derives 20-35% of calories from fat. Because a meal is comprised of a number of items from different food groups, and because it contributes a significant proportion of the daily diet, FDA would not object to labeling that provides information about percent calories derived from fat in a meal. Conversely, FDA stated in the claims final rules that this information (e.g., percent calories from fat) would not be useful for individual food items. The agency is concerned that, because a diet that is consistent with dietary guidelines may be comprised of a variety of foods, highlighting percent calories from fat for individual food items may be misleading. Consequently, FDA discourages labeling that presents fat and calorie content as “percent calories from fat” for individual food items. • Can a restaurant call an item “relatively low fat,” “very low fat,” “extra light,” or “almost fat free?” Answer: No. Only those claims, or their synonyms,
