How Accurate Are Calories on a Menu? Unpacking the Truth Behind the Numbers
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4 min read
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nutrition labels, including calorie counts on restaurant menus, are allowed a margin of error of up to 20%. This means the 500-calorie burger you ordered could legally contain up to 600 calories, or as few as 400. This inherent variability raises an important question for health-conscious diners: how much can you really trust the numbers printed on a menu?