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PFPriority Foundation · FDA Food Code 3-603.11 · 10-30 days (Priority Foundation)

How to fix: Consumer Advisory Missing for Raw or Undercooked Animal Products

The menu offers items containing raw or undercooked animal products (eggs, beef, fish, shellfish) but lacks the required consumer advisory disclosure and reminder.

What this violation means

FDA Food Code 3-603.11 requires that when a food establishment serves or sells animal foods that are raw, undercooked, or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens — such as rare burgers, runny eggs, raw oysters, sushi, or steak tartare — the menu must include a disclosure statement identifying these items and a reminder that consuming raw or undercooked animal products may increase the risk of foodborne illness. Both a disclosure (which items are raw/undercooked) and a reminder (the health risk statement) are required. Many jurisdictions also require the advisory to be printed in a specific font size or to appear at a specific location on the menu.

Step-by-step: how to fix this before re-inspection

1Identify every menu item that is served raw or undercooked and add an asterisk or symbol next to each
2Add a consumer advisory to the menu containing both a disclosure (identifying the items) and a reminder (risk statement)
3Use your local health department's approved advisory language — many jurisdictions provide exact wording
4Update all versions of your menu: printed, laminated, chalkboard, digital, and online ordering platforms
5Bring an updated menu to the re-inspection for the inspector to review

What the inspector rechecks at re-inspection

WHAT THE INSPECTOR CHECKS

Inspectors do not just look at the surface. For this violation, expect them to verify:

☐Reviews every menu, menu board, and table tent for raw or undercooked protein offerings
☐Confirms the menu includes an asterisk or callout that identifies each raw or undercooked item
☐Verifies the advisory includes both a disclosure and a reminder statement per local health department requirements
☐Checks that the advisory is legible and in a location a customer would reasonably notice
☐May review online menus and QR-code menus if physical menus are not in use

How to prevent this violation from recurring

Confirm consumer advisory language with your local health department whenever you update the menu
Include an advisory review in your annual food safety audit checklist
Train servers to verbally notify guests about raw or undercooked items in addition to the written advisory

Related violations to check

No Certified Food Manager on Premises→No Employee Illness Policy→
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This document is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee a passing re-inspection score. Always verify requirements with your local health department. Fix steps are based on FDA Food Code 3-603.11; individual jurisdictions may have additional requirements.

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