Nutrition Regulation Map

Combined Map | Trans Fat Ban Map | Menu Labeling Initiative Map

Select your state or locality below to view the key highlights of foodservice nutrition regulatory initiatives.

New York

The state legislature has introduced eight bills addressing trans fat for the 2009-2010 legislative session. The bills prohibit trans fat from being stored, distributed, and used in the preparation of food in any foodservice establishment. One bill has passed the Assembly, died in the Senate, and was returned to the Assembly for a third read. The Senate and Assembly�s Health Committee and Consumer Protection Committee are reviewing the bills. The bills would authorize the Commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations, develop guidelines, including recommendations for healthier alternatives to artificial trans fat, and identify products and suppliers of alternatives. Existing legislation is authorized, but the bill would preempt any additional.

In the 2008 legislative session, the Rules Committee reviewed the topic of trans fat. Legislation was proposed that would have prohibited restaurants and foodservice establishments from serving food with artificial trans fat, and the Commissioner of Health would have regulated compliance.

The state legislature has introduced two nutrition labeling bills during the 2009-2010 legislative session. The two bills would require foodservice establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide and 5 or more locations statewide to list calories, grams of saturated and trans fats, and milligrams of sodium per serving on standard print menus. For foodservice establishments that use menu boards or similar signage, the nutrition information must be listed on an adjacent sign. The Assembly Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee is still reviewing one of the bills, and the second bill passed the Assembly in June and was delivered to the Senate where it has been referred to the Investigations and Government Operations Committee. If enacted, the bill will become effective one year after becoming law. New York has been discussing the disclosure of nutrition information since 2003.

Albany, NY

On April 12, 2010, the Albany County legislature passed a measure that will require all restaurants countywide to post what type of oil they use in their food preparation. The Albany County Health Department will also be responsible for enforcing the new measure, which will go into effect in the next several months.

On August 11, 2009, Albany County legislatures passed a measure to require menu labeling. On September 2, 2009, County Executive, Mike Breslin signed Local Law B, a calorie disclosure requirement, into law. The law applies to foodservice establishments with 10 or more locations nationwide. Calories must be listed on menus, menu boards, and drive through menus. The County Health Department is responsible for enforcement.

In 2007, a resolution was passed to phase-out artificial trans fat in all Albany County foodservice establishments. The Albany County Board of Health and the Health Commissioner developed the plan for the phase-out.

Broome County, NY

The Broome County legislature passed a trans fat ban on December 17, 2009. Foodservice establishments will have two years to phase-out artificial trans fat.

Erie County, NY

A proposal was considered to ban trans fat from foodservice establishments in Erie County.

Nassau County, NY

The Nassau County Board of Health has passed a ban to restrict the use of trans fat in foodservice establishments. The deadline for the removal of trans fat in oils, shortenings, and margarines used in frying or in spreads was April 1, 2008, and for oils and shortenings used for deep-frying of yeast dough or cake batter was April 1, 2009.

Nassau County legislatures passed a menu labeling requirement for establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide. Calories must be displayed on menus, menu boards, and food tags. For drive-thru menus, calories must be displayed on the menu or made available prior to purchase. The requirement went into effect in March 2010, but was repealed after federal menu labeling was enacted.

Schenectady County, NY

Schenectady County, NY has adopted calorie menu labeling requirements for foodservice establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide. Calories must be listed on menus, menu boards, and drive thru menus. As of July 2010, the County has yet to issue compliance guidelines.

New York City, NY

New York City became the first city to pass legislation banning trans fat from restaurants. The first phase of the ban to eliminate trans fat from oils, margarines, and shortenings went into effect July 1, 2007. All food vendors had to eliminate trans fat by July 1, 2008. Fines for violations are a maximum of $2,000.

On May 5, 2008, menu labeling went into effect in New York City. Foodservice establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide must include calorie information on menus, menu boards, items tags, or other signage.

Rockland County, NY

On June 1, 2010, Rockland County legislators banned artificial trans fat from being used in food preparation or served at foodservice establishments, which includes school cafeterias. The ban goes into effect on January 1, 2011.

Rockland County has begun discussions to require foodservice establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide to post calories on menus and menu boards. The proposal introduced is similar to Westchester County. A hearing was held on July 7, 2009, and the Clerk, Lawrence Toole will be referring the proposal to the appropriate committee for further discussion.

Suffolk County, NY

The county has issued a trans fat ban, and is requiring foodservice establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide to post calories on their menus. Both items were signed into law on February 6, 2009.

Ulster County

Ulster County will require foodservice establishments to post calories on menus and menu boards by October 5, 2009. The menu labeling requirement applies to establishments with 15 or more locations nationwide.

Westchester, NY

A ban to eliminate trans fat in cooking oils and shortenings has been adopted. The ban went into full effect April 8, 2008.

On November 18, 2008, Westchester County passed a law that requires chain foodservice establishments to list calories on menus. The law went into effect May 10, 2009, and applies to foodservice establishments with 10 or more locations nationwide.