Georgia CommonsHB 1572: Food service establishments; food allergy awareness; require certain actions
Last action March 20, 2026 · House Second Readers
A Georgia House bill would require every food service establishment in the state to post a food allergy awareness poster in staff areas starting in 2027, with the Department of Public Health creating the poster.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
Georgia currently has no specific requirement for restaurants and other food service establishments to display information about food allergies for staff. This bill would add a new section to Georgia's food service establishment law (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-380) requiring every such establishment to prominently display a poster in staff-only areas explaining the risk of allergic reactions. The Department of Public Health would be responsible for creating or approving the design of this poster by November 1, 2026, and posting it on the department's website so establishments can access it. Food service establishments would then be required to display the poster starting January 1, 2027. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.
What the bill does
- Adds a new Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-380) requiring food service establishments to post a food allergy awareness poster in staff areas.
- Requires the poster to include information about the risk of allergic reactions.
- Directs the Department of Public Health to create or approve the poster and publish it on its website by November 1, 2026.
- Sets January 1, 2027 as the date by which establishments must have the poster displayed.
Who it affects
Food service establishments across Georgia, such as restaurants, cafeterias, and similar businesses that prepare or serve food, along with their staff. The Department of Public Health is also affected since it must design or approve the poster and publish it online.
Why it matters
Kitchen and service staff would have a standardized, visible reminder about food allergy risks, which could help workers recognize warning signs and respond appropriately to allergic reactions. Establishments would face a new compliance step, though the state would supply the required poster at no design cost to them.
Key provisions
- Section 1 adds new Code section 26-2-380 to Georgia's food service establishment law under Title 26, Chapter 2, Article 13.
- Subsection (a) requires food service establishments to prominently display a food allergy awareness poster in staff areas starting January 1, 2027.
- Subsection (b) requires the Department of Public Health to create or approve the poster and make it available on its website by November 1, 2026.
- Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing clause.
From the bill
“each food service establishment shall display prominently in the staff area of such establishment a poster relating to food allergy awareness that includes information regarding the risk of an allergic reaction”
“the Department of Public Health shall create or approve a poster required to be displayed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section and make such poster available on its website”
Status timeline
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)
- Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
- Long Tran (D, HD-080)
- Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
- Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)
Topics
- food allergy awareness
- restaurant regulations
- public health
- food service establishments