SPRINGFIELD – With an estimated 57% of U.S. consumers purchasing ready-to-eat meals each month, State Senator Laura Ellman is working to 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 measure closes a gap in our current system while also helping to protect public health.”

Senate Bill 2774 would require meal kit and ready-to-eat meal providers to follow the same state and local food safety regulations that apply to restaurants and other food establishments. Currently, these providers can fall outside traditional regulatory categories, creating concerns about consistent oversight.

As demand for ready-to-eat meals continues to grow, fueling a massive global market projected to reach $291 billion by 2032, the proposed legislation aims to 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 Department of Public Health.

Additionally, meal providers must publish on their website the registering local health department, inspection findings, certifications, and compliance with local, state and federal food safety regulations, ensuring that consumers have full transparency regarding the safety of their food.

“Food safety should never depend on how your meal is prepared or delivered,” said Ellman. “This bill is about making sure Illinois families can trust the food they bring to their table and that innovations like meal kits stay safe.”

Senate Bill 2774 passed the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday and heads to full Senate for further consideration.