The FDA has delayed the menu-labeling rule and plans to assist businesses with efficient compliance.

After receiving extensive input from stakeholders, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to extend the compliance date for the new menu labeling rule. The FDA has agreed that additional time is needed to address the questions and concerns of the businesses covered under the rule, as well as to provide guidance and clarification in order to assist businesses’ efficient compliance with the new rule.

The businesses that are affected by the new rule include chains, grocery stores that sell prepared foods, and restaurants that operate 20 or more locations and offer food that can be eaten on the premises or taken to-go. This rule, designed to help Americans make informed decisions when choosing what to eat, requires that calorie counts are posted for the food that is sold in the covered establishments.

Dec. 1, 2015 was the original compliance date that was agreed upon by the FDA when they issued the final rule on Dec. 1, 2014. However, after many businesses stated that they need more time to meet the terms of the new rule, the FDA has decided to grant businesses an extra year to fully implement properly labeled menus. Therefore, the new compliance date is Dec. 1, 2016.

Between now and the December 2016 compliance date, the FDA plans to engage in discussions with businesses in order to answer questions on how the rule applies in different situations.

In August 2015, the FDA will issue a guidance document which will answer commonly asked questions to further assist the covered establishments in making arrangements to meet the standards of the new rule.