SPRINGFIELD – With an estimated 57% of U.S. consumers purchasing ready-to-eat meals each month, State Senator Laura Ellman championed a new law that will ensure these increasingly popular options meet the same food safety standards as other food businesses.
“Families are relying more than ever on convenient meal options – they deserve the same level of safety and oversight no matter where their food comes from,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law will close a gap in our current system while also helping to protect public health.”
Senate Bill 2774 will require meal kit and ready-to-eat meal distribution facilities to comply with state and local safety regulations.
As demand for ready-to-eat meals continues to grow, fueling a massive global market projected to reach $291 billion by 2032, the new law will ensure consumer protections keep pace with industry trends by allowing a local health department where a food distribution facility is located to have the power to enforce rules and orders of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“This law is a common sense way to improve food safety for some of our most conveniently consumed meals,” said State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford). “Ready-to-eat meal options fill family refrigerators across the state—whether it’s a college student microwaving a quick meal or working parents needing something simple and reliable for the dinner table. It’s absolutely important these items meet the same safety standards established for any other food.”
Senate Bill 2774 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1.
