What's happening
This bill creates a three-year pilot program requiring certain state-run cafeterias to provide gluten content information upon request.
Why it matters
Increases transparency and safety for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. by requiring certain state-run cafeterias to provide accurate, on-request information about whether foods are gluten-free, reducing the risk of accidental exposure.
Establishes a model for food allergen disclosure in public facilities. , potentially setting the stage for broader adoption of similar practices in other government or private cafeterias if the pilot proves successful.
Focuses on high-traffic, diverse locations (Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and NYC). , which may maximize the program’s impact and provide data on implementation challenges and benefits across different regions and populations.
Aligns with FDA standards for “gluten-free” labeling. , meaning the pilot is based on established federal definitions, which should improve consistency and reliability of the information provided.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Show Gluten Content in Cafeterias
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.2000
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
List Gluten in State Cafeterias
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3437
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, AVELLA, DILAN, PERKINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to establish a pilot program related to making the gluten content of food available at certain state owned, operated, or leased cafeterias; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner of the office of general services shall identify four state owned buildings, facilities, or complexes where food and beverages are offered for sale to the general public or government employees in a cafeteria setting which are operated or leased by the state, for inclusion in a gluten content pilot program. One state owned building, facility, or complex for such pilot program shall be located in each of the following cities: Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and New York City. The commissioner shall ensure that the cafeterias contained within the identified buildings, facilities, or complexes have an employee available during the hours of operation that can accurately identify upon request whether a food or beverage item offered is gluten-free. For the purposes of this section, the term "gluten-free" shall include food or beverage that is consistent with the Food and Drug Administration's final rule to define the term "gluten-free" for voluntary use in the labeling of food.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06551-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to establish a pilot program related to making the gluten content of food available at certain state owned, operated, or leased cafeterias; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
To provide safety for those with food allergies who are served through owned, operated or leased state businesses.
Summary of provisions
Section One of the bill creates a pilot program making the gluten content of food available at certain state cafeterias, and providing for repeal upon expiration thereof.
Section Two provides this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after such date.
Justification
This bill will create a pilot program to make available the gluten content of foods served in certain cafeterias owned by the state. Pursuant to this legislation, the state shall clearly and conspicuously post and make available all information regarding the gluten content of foods being served and shall have an employee available during the hours of operation with the capacity to identify gluten-free food or beverages.
Approximately 15% of the United States population suffers from gluten intolerance of one form or another, ranging from gluten sensitivity to Celiac disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the world.
Originally thought to be a rare childhood syndrome, celiac disease is now known to be a common genetic disorder. It is also becoming more prevalent, as gluten is now used in a far wider variety of foods than in previous years. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein present in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods, but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins and lip balms.
Celiac disease and gluten intolerance can be disabling and require sufferers to spend large amounts of time and money treating the disease or syndrome. This bill will create a pilot program designed to reduce the suffering of sufferers who patronize state-owned cafeterias as a way to determine the ultimate cost and feasibility of instituting gluten labeling requirements in all state owned, leased and operated eating establishments.
Legislative history
2915-2016: S.1731/A.6851 - Referred to Health 2013-2014: S.3094A/A.7627A - Died in Finance / Referred to Ways & Means 2011-2012: S. 1124 - Referred to Health 2010: S.7460 - Referred to Health
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.