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Restaurant News
The Official Website of the Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) has posted some helpful links regarding the new Food Allergen Awareness Regulation
GET YOUR REQUIRED MA FOOD ALLERY TRAINING COMPLETED TODAY!
MA Allergens Regulation – Effective October 1, 2010
In January 2009, over the objections of RAM, Governor Patrick signed into law Chapter 527 of the Acts of 2008, Relative to Food Allergy Awareness in Restaurants. The law directed the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to promulgate regulations. While the effective date of the law was January 1, 2010, DPH regulations to provide guidance on the law were not finalized at that time. DPH released the final regulations in June. The regulations have two effective dates:
October 1, 2010 – All restaurants will be required to display an educational poster in their staff area. A copy of the poster, developed by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), can be downloaded directly from the FAAN website at http://www.foodallergy.org/files/media/restaurant-poster/Restaurant_Poster.pdf. The poster must be at least 8.5" x 11" in size. Additionally, all restaurants, including those with only menu boards or drive-through menus, will be required to post the following statement: Before placing your order, please inform your server if anyone in your party has a food allergy. This statement must be printed on all menus including take out menus. Restaurants with menu boards will have the option of including the statement directly on the menu board and drive-through menus or by having a conspicuous statement posted at the point of sale.
February 1, 2011 – The regulations require restaurant managers and persons-in-charge (PICs) to receive a food allergy certification every five years. In order to receive their certificate, participants must watch a 30-minute online training video that has been developed by FAAN. A minimal fee may be imposed to obtain the certificate. The training video is expected to become available this fall and all required parties will have until February 1, 2011 to view and obtain their certificate.
For more information and a copy of the final regulation, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s website
Article Links to Bay State Beverage Guide provided by RAM
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