Washington's current food code requires that animal products or un-pasteurized packaged juices be identified "disclosed" on the menu, label or sign if they are served undercooked or raw. The new food code will require this disclosure and a reminder that the undercooked food item may cause illness.
Consumer Advisory: A consumer advisory is a publicly-posted notice that states that certain ready-to-eat foods pose a health risk because they are not processed to destroy pathogens. A Consumer Advisory consists of two parts: Disclosure and Reminder.
Disclosure: Identification of the animal foods served undercooked. The disclosure must:
- be written
- be on the menu (or otherwise presented to customers in writing at the time they place their order).
- identify the food items that are served raw or undercooked
Reminder: Statement of the health risk of consuming these foods. The reminder must:
- be written
- be printed on the menu where customers can easily find it (preferably on the page where the first undercooked item appears) or otherwise presented to customers
Why is a Consumer Advisory required?
Science continues to indicate that eating raw or undercooked animal foods and un-pasteurized juices poses an increased risk of foodborne illness, especially for vulnerable people. The intent of a Consumer Advisory is to notify consumers of the increased risk so they are better able to make informed ordering decisions.
Who needs to post a Consumer Advisory?
All food establishments that serve raw or undercooked animal foods or un-pasteurized packaged juices are required to post a Consumer Advisory. Animal foods traditionally served raw or undercooked include:
- hamburgers and steaks, cooked to order
- oysters and other shellfish
- fish (sushi, sashimi and ceviche)
- eggs served undercooked (fried, poached, sunny-side up or "runny"
- eggs undercooked as ingredients (sauces, eggnog, tiramisu, mousse, meringue pie, Caesar salad dressing, fresh mayonnaise)
- meats ordered "rare" (carpaccio, steak tartare)
Are there any alternatives to putting the reminder on the menu?
An alternative to printing the reminder statement on the menu is to publicly provide a Consumer Advisory brochure that meets the guidelines set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The brochure must be readily accessible to consumers -- meaning that they can get it without having to ask for it -- prior to placing their food orders.
What if I only have one item on my menu that needs a Consumer Advisory (i.e. raw oysters)?
Consumer Advisories may be tailored to be product-specific if a food establishment serves only certain animal foods raw or undercooked. For example, a bar serving raw oysters on the half-shell, but no other raw or undercooked animal food, could change the reminder to: "Consuming raw oysters may increase your risk of foodborne illness."
More Information