menu label rules: preparing and responding toquestions
TRANSCRIPT
Menu Labeling:Preparing for and
Responding to Questions
Gillian Dagan, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, ABC Research
Yuly Virviescas
Business Development, ABC Research
Meet Gillian Folkes Dagan, PhD
• Chief Scientific Officer at ABC Research Laboratories
• PhD in Food Science, specializing in Food Processing and Quality
• Certified Food Scientist by the Institute of Food Technologists
• 10+ years in food science and QA
Meet Yuly Virviescas
• Business Development Director for ABC Research Laboratories
• Specializes in food QA and nutritional analysis for the restaurant and foodservice industries
• Degree in Food Science & Human Nutrition
• 4 years experience connecting laboratories & restaurants
Meet ABC Research Laboratories
• Serving the food industry since 1967
• Full microbiological, chemical, and nutritional testing facilities on site
• ISO 17025 accredited
• Specialized programs for restaurant and foodservice
Topics to Cover
• Prepare to publish
• Avoiding conflicting data
• Communicating procedures and
limitations
• Guest Questions
• Media Questions
Preparing to Publish
• Gathered all data
• Reality check?
– What are my highest and lowest values?
– Do I have sections of my menu with
marketing claims? (<500 cal, low sodium)
– Have I clearly communicated about
sauces and dressings?
– Last chance to reformulate/resize
Avoiding Conflicting Data
• Make sure your message is consistent
across all channels
– Menus
– Table Top Displays
– Advertisements
– Website
– Social Media
• Add update date and frequency
Communicating Procedures
and Limitations
• Talking about how the data was
generated could set you apart from
comparison data
• http://www.raleys.com/www/feature/
dietitian.jsp?featureid=1362036
• http://www.oswego.edu/administratio
n/auxiliary_services/resident_dining/m
onthly_menu/nutri_disclaimer.html
Communicating Procedures
and Limitations
• Using a variety of methods shows you
did your due diligence
• http://www.wawa.com/Nutrition.aspx
Communicating Procedures
and Limitations
• Placement of a disclaimer is something
to consider
• http://www.avantisnormal.com/Nutriti
on.htm
Communicating Procedures
and Limitations
• Is it OK to recognize large difference
may occur?
• https://fermilabcafe.southernfoodservi
ce.com/SiteContent/129/Nutritional_In
form__Disclaimer_2013.pdf
Communicating Procedures
and Limitations
• Mention rounding rules if you use them
• May want an additional disclaimer for
allergen information
• http://www.pfchangs.com/images/Nu
tritional%20Info/pfc_pilot_nutrition.html
Guest Questions
• Topics could include
– General explanation of the info on the
menu
– Needing additional information
– “I have [medical condition/dietary
request]. What can I eat here?”
– Allergens
Before Publishing
• Educate all employees
– What? Calories on menus
– Who? Guests versus Media
– When? Your publication date
– Where? Additional info can be found--
– Why? [your choice]
• Discuss options for special populations
or folks watching their calories
• Chain of command for hard questions
Media Questions
• Determine who will speak on
company’s behalf
• Educate employees what to do if
approached by the media
• Have your statement(s) ready before
you need them
Media Statements
• Explanation of calorie levels
• Explanation of how you derived your
calorie counts
– What? Mix of Lab and Database
– Who? Team in place for verification
– When? Data is validated by tests
quarterly and training reinforced
– Where? Outsourced to experts
– Why? Due Diligence, Liability
Media Statements
• The how and why of variation
• Questions for the other side
– How many locations/samples were
tested?
– How was the food ordered?
– Did you get what you actually ordered?
– How was the food tested and by whom?
– What are the qualifications of that service
provider?
For More Info
• Other Webinars and White Papers Also
Available
• Find us Online:
– Facebook: ABC Research Laboratories
– Twitter: @foodtestexperts
– Subscribe to our Blog: info.abcr.com
– Linked In: ABC Research Laboratories
Coming up next:
• Nutritional testing is done. My
restaurant is ready, right?
–Monday, December 22, 2PM
Register online using the link in the
chat window.
For More Info
• Other Webinars and White Papers Also
Available in our Resource Center
• Find us Online:
– Facebook: ABC Research Laboratories
– Twitter: @foodtestexperts
– Blog: info.abcr.com
– Linked In: ABC Research Laboratories
• Next Webinar: December 17th, 2PM
Thank you!
Gillian Folkes Dagan, PhD
352.246.7739
Yuly Virviescas
407.929.1787