WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 722, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act, by a vote of 266-157-1. H.R. 722, authored by House Republican Conference Chair and committee member Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), will modify existing federal law to make the statute workable while maintaining the nutrition disclosure requirement.
An earlier iteration of H.R. 772 was first introduced by Conference Chair McMorris Rodgers in 2015, in response to a rule proposed by then-President Obama’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That rule sought to establish one-size-fits-all requirements on nutritional information. H.R. 772 will make menu-labeling requirements more workable for restaurants, grocers, and convenience stores.
“This bill isn’t about the merits of calorie counts; it’s about providing flexibility for businesses to provide that information in a way that makes sense for them and their customers," said McMorris Rodgers. “The one-size-fits-all approach proposed by the FDA is problematic, and by bringing this rule into the 21st Century, customers can trust they are getting the reliable information they need in an easy-to-access, consumer-friendly way."
“Once again the House has acted to pass these common sense solutions to an overly burdensome Obama era rule," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and #SubHealth Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX). “This thoughtful approach to menu-labeling will increase access to information, prevent frivolous lawsuits from hampering individuals and businesses, and allow businesses to provide customized menu information. It’s a win-win for everyone."
H.R. 772 passed the #FullCmte in July by a bipartisan vote of 39-14. In the previous Congress, a similar version of this bill passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 266-144-1.
