Bill > HB444

This bill amends existing Alabama law regarding the country of origin labeling for seafood and other "covered commodities" sold by food service establishments, which are businesses that prepare and sell food. Key changes include authorizing the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to test these commodities to ensure compliance with origin labeling requirements, revising how this origin information must be displayed to consumers, and further detailing penalties for violations. Specifically, the bill clarifies that food service establishments must clearly indicate the country of origin for covered commodities, or state that they are imported, using specific font and size requirements for labels, signs, or menus. It also expands the enforcement powers by allowing the Commissioner to conduct tests and report violations to the State Health Officer, who will maintain a public list of non-compliant establishments on the Alabama Department of Public Health's website. Furthermore, violations will now result in a five-point reduction in any score or grade assigned to the establishment. The bill also clarifies that "farm-raised fish" and "wild fish" refer only to fish and shrimp, excluding other seafood like crabs and oysters, and provides a defense against penalties if a violation is due to good faith reliance on a supplier's attestation of origin. The law will take effect on October 1, 2026.