NACS Voices Support as Revised Menu-Labeling Legislation Advances

November 4, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Johnathan Taets
jtaets@nacsonline.com
703-518-4224
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) praised the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee today for voting to advance menu-labeling legislation that would make compliance possible for convenience store owners, and result in consumers obtaining more nutrition information and a greater amount of choices.
H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015, introduced by Reps. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), passed the subcommittee earlier today by voice vote and now moves to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“We commend the subcommittee and its leadership for recognizing that convenience stores need some flexibility in addressing and complying with menu-labeling regulations and this legislation codifies a less burdensome approach,” said Lyle Beckwith, NACS senior vice president of government relations. “It will also allow for FDA to meet the objectives of the menu-labeling law without unnecessarily burdening retailers and confusing customers.”
Foodservice has become an increasingly important element of convenience store operations and constitutes $42 billion in sales, or 19% of total in-store sales dollars. Convenience stores not only offer consumers the fuel they need for their vehicles, but also prepared foods, beverages and other immediate consumable products that meet customer demand for speed of service, and healthier food options to-go. Many convenience stores offer their foodservice program or partner with other chains.
NACS has also been actively engaged with FDA during the regulatory process, ensuring that the agency understands the convenience store industry’s unique perspective on federal nutrition disclosure obligations.
###
Founded in 1961 as the National Association of Convenience Stores, NACS (nacsonline.com) is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 152,700 stores across the country, posted $696.1 billion in total sales in 2014, of which $482.6 billion were motor fuels sales. NACS has 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.