The Right to Know Law Explained

Let’s talk on a level that goes beyond designer kitchen wear and into your brain. Specificity in law is something that we can easily apply to our daily lives without putting on a snazzy tuxedo or a lovely evening gown. The world of your home and your kitchen and your ability to feel safe in both is an easy life to live if you know the law, at least when it comes to eliminating risks of food allergies to yourself and your wonderful family. So lets talk about the definition of the comprehensive right to know law definitions:

The Right to Know Law, in general, is pretty much saying that people have a right to know the risks that accompany their actions. This “law” refers to many things, not just health and safety, but for the purposes of this article and talking about legal concepts, we will focus on the safety aspect so that you can limit the risks of food borne illness and allergic reactions.

Oftentimes, the “Right to Know Law” has to do with employers letting employees know of a potential risk in the workplace. For example, if a chemical company gives an employee a particular chemical to work with and this chemical has been known to cause cancer or other health issues, the company has to let the employee know what the chemical has been known to cause, why, how, what to look out for, etc., see 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1200 (the OSHA guidelines for Hazard Communication).

The Right to Know Law and food in the 50 states actually goes further than this, one of the best examples being the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. See 21 U.S.C.A. § 343, which states that food manufacturers must provide certain warnings and disclosures regarding food allergens.

So, if you are concerned about gluten, seafood, peanuts, dairy, or any common allergen on your dinner table, you can look to this law for assistance in keeping the health of your loved ones safe and sound. Or, if you run a restaurant and want to be able to provide excellent service to your patrons, you should also look into this law and ensure that you have the best measures in place for your clientele to feel comfortable in your establishment.

The Right to Know law will not always go into full detail and scrutiny into what you are purchasing, but when it comes to food, it certainly can be very helpful, especially in limiting potential risks to your family and friends at your weekly dinner parties!