HB171 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Spencer Collier

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Fish, farm-raised or wild fish, country of origin labeling by restaurants, health and safety policies to be determined by Legislature, suppliers to food service establishments required to disclose country of origin regardless of labeling per federal law, Act 2009-582, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.; Secs. 22-20A-1, 22-20A-3, 22-20A-8 am'd.; Sec. 22-20A-4 repealed

Summary

HB171 would require country-of-origin labeling for all farm-raised and wild fish by suppliers and food-service establishments in Alabama, remove a simple retail-labeling option, and mandate a large disclaimer with penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill would require suppliers to provide country-of-origin information for farm-raised and wild fish to food-service establishments, even if federal labeling does not require it. Food-service establishments must display a conspicuous disclaimer or notice near their permit informing customers they can request the country of origin, with the notice printed in large type. It eliminates the option for some direct-retail fish sales to use a simple country-of-origin statement instead of the disclaimer and sets a tiered penalty system for violations. The act would take effect 120 days after passage and repeals part of a prior labeling rule.

Who It Affects

• Fish suppliers to food-service establishments: must provide country-of-origin labeling for farm-raised and wild fish, regardless of federal labeling requirements (with a carve-out when federal law does not require labeling).
• Food-service establishments (and retailers who sell fish directly to consumers): must display a large disclaimer near the restaurant permit stating customers can request the country of origin, and could face penalties for violations; the option to substitute a direct-retail country-of-origin statement is removed.

Key Provisions

• Amends Act 2009-582 (Sections 22-20A-1, 22-20A-3, 22-20A-8) to require country-of-origin labeling for farm-raised and wild fish by all suppliers and food-service establishments, regardless of federal labeling requirements; repeals 22-20A-4.
• Requires suppliers to provide country-of-origin information to food-service establishments; State Health Officer can investigate verified complaints of noncompliance and must share the complaint with the affected establishment.
• Food-service establishments must place a disclaimer or notice on the menu or a placard at least 8.5 by 11 inches near the permit, stating the consumer's right to know the country of origin on request; the disclaimer must be printed in print as large as the product listing.
• Defines country of origin: farm-raised fish is from the United States if produced in the U.S.; wild fish is from U.S. waters or territories if harvested there and processed in the United States or territories.
• Imposes a penalties schedule for violations within a 24-month period, starting with a written warning and escalating fines from $100 to $1,000; an unknowingly mislabeled case due to wholesaler or distributor is treated as harmless for the retailer or establishment.
• Effective 120 days after passage; repeals Section 4 of Act 2009-582.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health