May 18, 2015 – ARLINGTON, VA – Today, Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin applauded efforts by 32 bipartisan senators from across the political spectrum of the U.S. Senate, in addition to the U.S. Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, to request a one-year delay of the compliance date for grocery stores included under the final FDA chain restaurant menu labeling rule.

Sarasin commended the effort led by Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), saying:

“The Senate has spoken.  It is time now for FDA to address all the problems supermarkets have raised regarding the grocery industry’s ability to comply with a regulation designed for chain restaurants.

“Grocery stores are fundamentally not restaurants, and the vast majority of our stores do not have menus or menu boards for most of their products.  If FDA cannot – or will not – undertake this effort comprehensively via its regulatory authority and in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the regulated industry, we welcome legislation.”

For Media:

Senate HELP Committee Press release and letter [link]

Link to Supermarket Industry Priorities to Address FDA’s Rule [link]