Rhode Island House Bill H5178

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/23
• Refer: 1/19/23

Caption

Food Allergy Awareness In Food Service Establishments

Impact

The bill will require food service establishments to comply with new regulations around food allergy awareness, which includes designating a knowledgeable manager responsible for understanding food allergy-related issues in food preparation. The Director of Health will oversee the establishment of a food allergy awareness program and ensure that materials for staff training are available. This bill may lead to a more informed workforce that can better serve customers with food allergies, thereby potentially improving public health outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 5178 aims to enhance food allergy awareness in food service establishments in Rhode Island. The proposed legislation mandates that every food service establishment prominently display an approved food allergy awareness poster in staff areas and include specific notices on their menus to inform customers about their responsibility to notify servers of any food allergies. This initiative is intended to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and raise public awareness regarding food safety.

Contention

Some points of contention could arise from the implementation of these requirements, particularly regarding the additional responsibilities placed on restaurant managers and the costs associated with compliance. Establishments that fail to adhere to the new menu warning requirements could face penalties, with first offenses resulting in written warnings and subsequent violations incurring fines of up to five hundred dollars. This could lead to concerns from restaurant owners about the feasibility of compliance and the financial implications of potential fines.