Rhode Island House Bill H7325

Rhode Island 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/24
• Refer: 1/26/24

Caption

Requires food service establishments to add an additional warning to their menus relative to food allergens and impose a civil penalty on those establishments that fail to include the required warnings on its menus.

Impact

If enacted, this legislation would amend existing laws in Rhode Island, creating enforceable requirements for food-service establishments to improve transparency about food allergies. Establishments will be required to include a notice on their menus alerting customers to their responsibility to inform staff of any allergies, thus fostering a safer dining environment. Additionally, a designated manager at each restaurant will need to be knowledgeable about food allergy issues, further emphasizing the importance of educating food-service personnel.

Summary

House Bill 7325 aims to enhance food allergy awareness in food-service establishments by mandating specific warnings regarding food allergens on menus. Introduced by Representative Lauren H. Carson, the bill seeks to establish a food allergy awareness program as part of health regulations aimed to protect consumers, especially those at risk of severe allergic reactions. The Department of Health will be responsible for developing materials and ensuring compliance across all licensed restaurants, requiring signage that informs customers to disclose their food allergies before ordering.

Contention

The introduction of this bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between consumer safety and the operational burdens placed on food-service establishments. Supporters argue that improving allergen awareness can prevent life-threatening incidents, while critics might express concerns over implementation challenges and potential costs for businesses. The civil penalties for non-compliance, which include fines for establishments failing to post the required warnings, add a layer of enforcement that some might view as an overreach of government regulation.