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Do I need allergen awareness training in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island law requires every food-service business to designate a manager who knows how food allergies relate to preparing food. That manager reviews the state's written and video materials or holds a food protection manager credential that meets Conference for Food Protection standards. The business must post an approved allergy poster in the staff area and put an allergy notice on all menus.

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The rule, fact by fact

Who needs it
Every food-service establishment designates a manager knowledgeable about food allergiesThe statute ties that knowledge to preparing food.
Verified. webserver.rilegislature.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
How managers qualify
Managers either review the state’s materials or hold an accredited manager certificationThe credential must come from a program that an accrediting agency recognized by the Conference for Food Protection has evaluated and listed.
Same source and date as above
Menu notice
Every menu carries a notice that customers must tell the server about food allergiesThe director develops and approves the wording of the notice.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check that your workplace is a food-service business. If it is, the law requires you to display a director-approved food allergy poster in the staff area, put the allergy notice on all menus and designate a manager who knows about food allergies as they relate to preparing food.

  2. Step 2. Pick how the designated manager will meet the rule. The director provides written and video materials for mandatory review by designated managers. A manager can instead hold a credential from a food protection manager program that an accrediting agency recognized by the Conference for Food Protection has evaluated and listed as meeting its standards. RIDOH says ANSI approved Certified Food Safety Manager courses include a part on allergy awareness.

  3. Step 3. Complete the review or the course. The Department of Health includes knowledge of food allergy issues in how it certifies managers in food safety under chapter 27 of title 21. RIDOH also says Rhode Island requires food businesses to train staff on allergy awareness.

  4. Step 4. Put the required items in place. Display the poster where staff will see it, and add the notice that customers must inform the server about any food allergies to every menu.

Before you pay

Confirm what you are buying. The law lets a designated manager review the director's written and video materials, so a paid course is one route and not the only one.

If you choose a credential, check that its program is evaluated and listed by an accrediting agency the Conference for Food Protection recognizes.

We haven't confirmed what courses cost or which ones are online, so ask the provider.

Questions

What does the staff-area poster have to say?

The statute says the poster must cover the risk of an allergic reaction, among other things. The state health department develops it with the Rhode Island hospitality association, the food allergy and anaphylaxis-network and at least one quick service restaurant representative.

Does RIDOH offer the poster in other languages?

Yes. RIDOH says its food allergen poster is available in multiple languages.

Does RIDOH endorse a training provider?

No. RIDOH says it does not endorse or promote any individual business.

What to do next

Start with the Department of Health's food safety allergen awareness page. Know first who your workplace has designated as its allergen-aware manager.

health.ri.gov

Sources we read