People cited after food inspections could seek state review

People cited after food inspections could ask a state panel to review local enforcement actions. This covers actions by a local health officer or board following a food establishment inspection. The panel could deny an appeal without a hearing. An appeal would cost $100, which the person would get back if they win. The person must appeal within seven days after the action. These rules would start July 1, 2026.

Local health departments and the health and hospital corporation could not impose food sanitation rules above state minimums. The limit covers rules for food establishments. The limit uses the minimum sanitation standards adopted by the state health department. State officials would guide local inspectors on state rules and name a staff contact for their questions. These provisions would start July 1, 2026.

Vendors could sell certain farm-raised meat at farmers' markets and roadside stands, and farmers could deliver certain meat directly to buyers. Market sales cover livestock raised on a farm. Direct delivery covers livestock raised on the seller's farm and meat that qualifies for the custom-processing exemption. Market meat must be processed at an official meat facility and stay frozen through delivery. For direct delivery, the buyer must own the animal before slaughter. The meat must be processed and labeled under meat laws, left in the processor's packaging, and kept refrigerated through delivery. These provisions would start July 1, 2026.

People would have to label packaged foods containing insect protein, and local health departments could enforce that rule. This covers foods containing protein processed from insects for people to eat. Packages must say “THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS INSECT PROTEIN.” Knowingly and intentionally presenting a product without clearly showing that it contains insect protein would count as mislabeling. Local officials could halt sales if they reasonably suspect a labeling violation. They could fine knowing or intentional violations up to $10,000, with each day after notice counting separately. These rules would start July 1, 2026.

Local governments could not ban people from growing certain produce defined under federal rule 21 CFR 112 for personal use. This covers certain produce defined under federal rule 21 CFR 112 grown on a person's own land or on someone else's land with the owner's permission. Local governments could apply the same general property rules used for other land in the same area. Private agreements, including homeowners association rules, would still apply. The garden rule would start July 1, 2026.