Food Safety - Guide to Consumer Advisories

A consumer advisory is a written notice posted for the public to see. The advisory is designed to inform consumers that raw or undercooked food of animal origin poses a health risk when consumed. Food of animal origin includes: beef, eggs, lamb, milk, pork, shellfish, etc.

A consumer advisory has two parts: Disclosure and Reminder.

Disclosure

Retail Food Establishments must identify in writing foods of animal origin that are served raw or undercooked. Identification must be in writing at the point where the food is selected by the consumer and may be on a menu, table tent, or placard or posted via other printed means.

Disclosure is easily accomplished one of two ways:

1. The description of the food item such as:

• “Oysters on the half-shell (raw oysters)”
• “Raw-egg Caesar salad”
• “Hamburgers cooked to order”

1. An asterisk by the name of the food leading to a footnote that states:

• Items are served raw or undercooked; or
• Items contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients.

Reminder

Retail Food Establishments must also remind consumers of the health risk associated with eating raw or undercooked foods of animal origin.

This can be done by placing an asterisk by the description or identification of the animal-derived food leading to a footnote stating one of the following:

• “Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.”
• “Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.”
• “Regarding the safety of these foods, written information is available upon request.”

What Foods Require a Consumer Advisory?

• Raw or undercooked:
• Beef
• Eggs
• Fish
• Lamb
• Pork
• Poultry
• Shellfish