Senate Bill 1471 aims to enhance transparency regarding the origins of food, specifically focusing on covered commodities such as farm-raised and wild fish. The bill introduces new provisions in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 53 and Title 68, mandating that suppliers disclose the country of origin of these commodities to food establishments. Additionally, food establishments are required to inform consumers about the origin of the covered commodities they sell, particularly if they are imported. This information must be clearly displayed through labels or signs at the point of sale, ensuring that consumers are adequately informed about the products they purchase.

The bill also outlines penalties for non-compliance, including a tiered system of civil penalties for repeated violations, starting with a warning for the first offense and escalating to fines of up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. However, food establishments that can demonstrate good faith reliance on supplier disclosures may be exempt from penalties. Furthermore, certain entities, such as hospitals and groups of individuals who preorder food, are exempt from these requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of food origin transparency for consumer protection.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 53-1-116