Consumer Advisory Requirements
The purpose of a consumer advisory is to inform consumers, especially those of highly susceptible populations (elderly, children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals), about the increased risk of foodborne illness from eating raw or undercooked animal foods. Consumer advisories must consist of two (2) parts: a disclosure and a reminder.
The statement shall be displayed on brochures, deli cases, electronic display menus, online menus, stickers, table tents, placards, or other written means.
- However, the following foods may not be served or offered for sale in a food establishment that serves a highly susceptible population: Raw animal foods, such as raw fish, raw-marinated fish, raw molluscan shellfish, and steak tartare
- A partially cooked animal food, such as lightly cooked fish, rare meat, soft-cooked eggs that are made from raw shell eggs, and meringue
- Raw seed sprouts
Requirements
Disclosure shall include either:
a. The food item description must state that it is raw or undercooked (e.g., raw oysters or medium-rare hamburger)
OR
b. Add an asterisk next to the food item with a footnote at the bottom of the menu stating that it is served raw or undercooked or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients.
Reminder shall include either:
a. Add an asterisk to the food item with a footnote in the menu or other listings to include written information regarding the safety of these foods are available upon request.
OR
b. Add an asterisk to the food item with a footnote in the menu or other listings to include a statement that indicates: “Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk for foodborne illness; especially if you have a medical condition.”
Please contact your district inspector if you have any questions.
Examples of raw or undercooked food items with the Consumer Advisory requirements
Example A
Disclosure (a) and Reminder (a)
The food items below are raw or undercooked, and the asterisk (*) denotes a footnote that written food safety information is available upon request:
*Caesar Salad (house dressing contains raw eggs)
*Raw Fish Poke Salad
*Huevos Rancheros (eggs cooked sunny-side up)
* Written information regarding the safety of these foods is available upon request.
Example B
Disclosure (a) and Reminder (b)
The food items below are marked raw or undercooked, and the asterisk (*) denotes a footnote that consuming them increases risk of foodborne illness.
Carpaccio (raw beef)*
New York Steak (cooked to order)*
Rare Steak Phở*
* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk for foodborne illness; especially if you have a medical condition.
Example C
Disclosure (b) and Reminder (a)
An asterisk (*) is used both to indicate the menu item contains raw/undercooked items and denote a footnote that written food safety information is available upon request:
Hamburger*
Veggie Burger
Poached Salmon*
* These are cooked to order (e.g., rare, medium, well done. Upon request, we will cook to your specifications. Written information regarding the safety of these foods is available upon request.
Example D
Disclosure (b) and Reminder (b)
An asterisk (*) is used both to indicate the menu item contains raw/undercooked ingredients and denote a footnote that the risk of foodborne illness is increased.
Tuna Nigiri*
Lion King Roll*
Eggs Benedict*
* This food item may contain undercooked/raw ingredients or may be served undercooked/raw. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk for foodborne illness; especially if you have a medical condition.