State officials would inspect prison kitchens and post food safety reports

Correctional institutions would have to use local policies that meet minimum food safety and sanitation standards. The requirements cover state and county prisons and jails, including staff, food service contractors, and incarcerated people who prepare or distribute food. Policies must be consistent with existing state law and recognized professional standards. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

The Department of Agriculture would be allowed to inspect correctional institutions, collect food samples, and publish inspection reports. These provisions cover state and county correctional institutions. Officials must enter and inspect at reasonable times and within reasonable limits. The secretary must give the person in charge a written report before leaving. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

The Department of Agriculture would share certain safety findings with other state agencies, and correctional administrators would have to cooperate with inspections. The cooperation duty applies to the Department of Corrections and county correctional administrators, who must provide information requested for an inspection. Officials would share reports or test results that indicate food-related illness or another threat to food safety, as needed for a coordinated response. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Correctional institutions using or supplying drinking water would have to meet state water standards; the secretary could add certain food rules only under stated conditions. Water standards apply when a correctional institution uses or supplies water for people to drink. The limits apply to the secretary's enforcement of the subchapter. Additional state rules on sanitation, food safety, food standards, or labeling must meet all five conditions in the text, including protecting an important public interest and not unduly burdening interstate commerce. If enacted, the act would take effect 60 days after enactment.