RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 372 (HB 335) 2019 Regular Session Gisclair
New law declares that La. consumers have the right to know if crawfish or shrimp imported
from a foreign country is being served in a food service establishment, as the consumption
of such seafood may pose a health risk.
New law provides that for its purposes, "food service establishment" means an establishment
that prepares food for human consumption, either for individual service or for a group of
people, whether consumption is on or off the premises and regardless of whether there is a
charge for the food; but shall not include any of the following: Private homes where food
is prepared or served for individual family consumption, private clubs where food is prepared
and served exclusively for member consumption, religious or charitable food sales, any
establishment that heats or prepares boudin or sausage for personal consumption, a bar or
lounge that serves beverages only, temporary and seasonal establishments, bed and breakfast
operations, nursing facilities, or public, private, or parochial schools.
New law requires all food service establishments that use a menu as a standard business
practice and sell or provide cooked or prepared crawfish or shrimp that originate outside of
the U.S. to display on all menus the country of origin of such crawfish or shrimp or denote
immediately adjacent to the menu listing of the seafood item being sold, in letters no smaller
than the same size, font, and shade as the product being offered, that the crawfish or shrimp
are imported. Provides that in lieu of this requirement, the notice shall be paper-clipped to
the menu with the same location, size, font, and shade restrictions required as when the
notice is listed directly on the menu.
New law requires all food service establishments that do not use a menu as a standard
business practice and sell or provide cooked or prepared crawfish or shrimp that originate
outside of the U.S. to display on a sign posted at the main entrance to the establishment that
certain crawfish or shrimp, as applicable, being served within originate from a foreign
country. Stipulates that each sign shall be at least 18 inches tall, 18 inches wide, written in
English in letters not less than one inch in size, and placed in an open area and in a
conspicuous position not less than 36 inches from the floor so that it is visible to all patrons.
New law provides that any violation of new law shall constitute a violation of the state
sanitary code.
New law requires the La. Department of Health to promulgate all such administrative rules
as are necessary to enforce the provisions of new law.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 19, 2019).
(Adds R.S. 40:5.5.4)