BILL NUMBER: S6820B
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the agriculture and markets
law, in relation to requiring allergen labeling for prepackaged foods
 
PURPOSE:
Requires allergen labeling for prepackaged foods.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public health law by adding a new section 1357
which will require allergen labeling on all food that is prepared,
prepacked, and offered or sold to customers on the same premises. The
labeling will require written notification on the package or on a label
attached to the package identifying all ingredients and labeling for
major food allergens in the form and manner required by the federal Food
Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.
Section 2 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Individuals living with food allergies rely on allergen labeling to make
safe and informed decisions about the food they consume. When allergens
are not labeled or are mislabeled, there is a risk that an individual
with a food allergy may mistake this food to be allergen-free, which can
result in severe side effects if consumed.
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require
allergens to be labeled on prepacked food, but this requirement does not
apply to food that is prepared, prepacked, and sold to customers on the
same premises. This legislation will require allergens to be labeled on
this type of food, which will protect the nearly two million New Yorkers
living with food allergies.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.