Question: I have for many years gone to neighboring 7-Elevens to purchase local favorites such as sushi, dim sum and an occasional bento. These seem to be standard throughout the chain. When, if ever, will they be able to provide nutritional information on these items? Good nutrition is an important key to good health. 7-Elevens are very close to schools that serve as a significant customer base. This information could be educational for these people as well.
Answer: You’ll be happy to hear that not just 7-Eleven, but all food establishments with 20 or more locations selling food are being required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to provide calorie information to help consumers make "informed and healthful dietary choices."
"7-Eleven Hawaii is aware of the importance of providing nutritional information to our customers," said Marketing Manager Edna Ching. "We are working to provide this information for all of our core fresh food items by Dec. 1."
The FDA actually has two new labeling rules: that calorie information be listed on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments, as well as for food sold in vending machines.
The affected establishments also must let customers know that additional nutrition information is available upon request, including total calories, calories from fat, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, fiber, sugars and protein.
The deadline for compliance by food establishments is Dec. 1, while the deadline for vending machine food is Dec. 1, 2016.
Food trucks are not required to post the calorie information.
On its website, the FDA says, "It’s important to remember that only restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations, doing business under the same name, and offering for sale substantially the same menu items are covered by the menu labeling final rule. Restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are not covered by the rule, such as a restaurant that is part of a chain with fewer than 20 locations, can voluntarily register to be subject to the final rule’s requirements."
Likewise, only vending machine operations with 20 or more machines are required to post calorie counts, and only for certain foods.
Asked how 7-Eleven planned to post the information, Ching said the company is analyzing each food item and has "not yet finalized how the calorie information will be stated."
Affected Food
Examples of food subject to the caloric information: meals from sit-down restaurants; takeout food, such as pizza and foods purchased at drive-thrus; made-to-order sandwiches; foods from a salad or hot-food bar; muffins at a bakery; popcorn at a movie theater or amusement park; ice cream, milk shakes and sundaes from an ice cream store; and hot dogs and frozen drinks prepared on-site in a convenience or warehouse store.
Food not covered includes certain items purchased in grocery stores or similar retail food establishments intended for more than one person to eat and requiring additional preparation before consuming, such as deli meats, cheeses and large deli salads.
For more information, go to the FDA website, usa.gov/1TvHStz.
We checked with the state Department of Health and was told that it "is not involved in the implementation, monitoring or enforcement of the new FDA labeling requirements."
Mahalo
To Honolulu’s Finest, the Honolulu Police Department, for doing a sweep of the area beneath the airport viaduct a few months ago. They found my legal documents that were stolen in a burglary. A lot of stress has been lifted from my shoulders. Keep up the good work! — Relieved Citizen
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
