HomeMy Public PortalAboutFood Allergen Awareness Requirements Letter
TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Board of Health
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6446
Fax: 617-972-6499
www.watertown-ma.gov
To: All Local Food Establishments
From: Watertown Health Department
Re: Allergen Awareness Act
______________________________________________________________________________
On June 9, 2010, the MDPH Public Health Council voted to amend the State Sanitary Code,
Chapter X: Minimum Sanitation Standards for Food Establishments (105 CMR 590.000) in order
to implement requirements of the Allergen Awareness Act, M.G.L. c. 140, § 6B.
All food establishments that cook, prepare, or serve food intended for immediate consumption
either on or off the premises must comply with 105 CMR 590.009 (H).
Compliance with this section of the State Sanitary Code will consist of:
1. As of October 1, 2010, food establishments must display a copy of the MDPH approved
poster from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FA&AN) in the employee
work area. This poster is available on the FA&AN website at
http://foodallergy.org/page/restaurant-poster .
2. As of October 1, 2010, all menus (including dessert and drink menus), menu boards
(including Drive-Through signs), and/or point of ordering and service must display the
words “Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your
party has a food allergy”.
3. By February 1, 2011, such food establishments shall have, on staff, a certified food
protection manager who has been issued a MA certificate of allergen awareness training
by an allergen awareness training verification program recognized by the MDPH.
Enclosed is a list of vendors approved by MDPH.
Please be advised, non compliance with this regulation constitutes a critical violation that
requires immediate correction.
If you have any questions, please contact the Health Department at (617) 972-6446.