Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia SB248: An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01, relating to restaurants; food allergy awareness notice required.
Status: Chaptered, April 6, 2026
Restaurants; food allergy awareness notice required. Requires the State Health Commissioner to publish in multiple languages a notice on the Department of Health's website containing procedures for restaurant staff to follow when a customer has a food allergy. The bill requires restaurants to post such notice in a conspicuous location. The bill also requires restaurants to include the phrase, "If you have a food allergy, please notify us," and its translation, if applicable, on their menus or on a sign posted conspicuously in the restaurant. This bill is identical to HB 373.
What the bill says
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01, relating to restaurants; food allergy awareness notice required. [S 248] Approved April 6, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01 as follows: § 35.1-14.01. Food allergy awareness notice required. A. The Commissioner shall make available on the Department's website, in English and in the top six languages other than English spoken in the Commonwealth according to the latest available data from the United States Census Bureau, a notice containing information for staff of re.
From the enrolled text, April 6, 2026:
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01, relating to restaurants; food allergy awareness notice required. [S 248] Approved April 6, 2026 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 35.1-14.01 as follows: § 35.1-14.01. Food allergy awareness notice required. A. The Commissioner shall make available on the Department's website, in English and in the top six languages other than English spoken in the Commonwealth according to the latest available data from the United States Census Bureau, a notice containing information for staff of restaurants regarding food allergies as well as a translation of the following: "If you have a food allergy, please notify us." Such notice shall 2. Any procedures to be followed to prevent cross-contact; and 3. The procedures to be followed if a customer has an allergic reaction, including a recommendation regarding the circumstances in which to call emergency medical services. B. Every restaurant permitted pursuant to this chapter shall post a copy of the notice prepared pursuant to subsection A in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees involved in the preparation or service of food in at least one of the languages spoken by each employee to the extent such languages are among those in which the Commissioner makes the notice available. C. Every …