By Jamie Allebach
As if things aren’t tough enough in our current economy, the government is tightening the noose around the necks of food and beverage companies and restaurants with yet more scrutiny and REGULATION.
What does this mean to you? Here are a few highlights: If you are making any type of “claims” in your advertising, packaging, or menus be prepared to have the government rear it’s ugly head on your doorstep.
It’s no longer going to be acceptable to have an accurate Nutrition Facts Panel on the backside of food products. Now, you will be penalized if you state or even imply “better for you” claims on your product packaging or advertising. For instance, if you claim NO TRANSFAT, but don’t point out the fact (more than simply stating it on the Nutrition Facts Panel) that there is SATURATED FAT in your product, you will be in violation of new regulations.
The beverage industry is under assault, with sugary drinks being blamed for obesity among youth (although I can remember drinking more than my fair share of Coke and Dr. Pepper as a kid, without being “obese”). Government tactics include targeted taxes on sugar beverages and PSA’s and advertising warning of the “danger” of drinking soda. Seem a bit tyrannical?
We’ve all been hearing in the news how the restaurant industry is being mandated to post calorie and other nutritional information on menus and in facilities. Look, when I’m out to eat at a nice restaurant…I don’t want to know how many calories are in the meal I’m about to eat! And, neither do most people. That’s why it’s called indulgence!
The government is continuing to scrutinize and over-regulate the food and beverage industry, making it more and more difficult to run a profitable business. Don’t take it lying down! Join your industry trade groups, help fund organizations and lobbyists who are on your side and the side of freedom. Don’t forget, this is still America