A buffet of new food-related laws are among the 700-plus pieces of legislation coming online for 2022. Here’s a taste of some of the new rules that could impact Petalumans and our favorite local establishments.
Restaurants
Booze to go: Pandemic rules allowing the sale of alcohol to go will be extended through 2026. This rule, introduced by local Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, also includes and extends to ordering booze while dining in outdoor parklets.
Utensils and condiments to go: It started with straws, and now, starting June 1, 2022, the ban on automatically filling customers’ to-go bags with a lot of waste has been extended to anything considered single-use (other than the food and the container) and will include plastic utensils, chopsticks and condiment packets. It won’t be illegal for restaurants to have all these available, but customers must request them specifically, instead of receiving them automatically.
Unsold Food: Regulations will phase in a requirement that large businesses and food makers donate unsold food to be distributed to those in need, instead of throwing the food out.
At the grocery store
Bacon and eggs: Passed by voters in 2018, the law requiring that pigs, egg-laying chickens and veal calves have enough room to stand and turn around goes into effect this year. That said, a restaurant and grocer coalition is currently suing the state, asking for a two-year delay in enforcement because many in the industry are not ready for the change and feel that...
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