Bill > HB3446

This bill requires restaurants in Missouri to inform consumers about major food allergens present in their menu items. A "major food allergen" is defined as milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, sesame, and soybeans, as well as any ingredient containing protein derived from these items, with exceptions for highly refined oils and ingredients exempt under federal law. A "menu" refers to the same definition used in federal regulations for food labeling, and a "restaurant" is defined as a business with its own permanent food service facilities that prepares and sells multiple entrees for on- or off-premises consumption. Restaurants must provide written notification of known major food allergens either directly on their menu, with a statement below or next to the item, or through a digital format like a QR code, but must also offer an alternative method, such as a separate allergen menu or chart, for those unable to access digital information. The allergen information can be presented using the common names of the allergens or standardized pictograms. The Department of Health and Senior Services will enforce this section and can seek injunctions against violators, using methods like visual verification of disclosures or other reasonable means. This requirement does not apply to prepackaged foods already subject to federal allergen labeling laws, nor does it change any existing legal duties restaurants have to ensure patron safety.