California AB-1276 prohibits restaurants and food vendors from automatically providing single-use foodware accessories. Utensils, straws, condiments, and stirrers must only be supplied on customer request or self-serve, enforced countywide by LA County Public Health.
AB-1276, effective June 2022, requires all California food facilities to provide single-use foodware accessories — including plastic utensils, straws, stirrers, condiment packets, and cocktail picks — only on customer request or from a self-service station. The law applies countywide in LA County, including unincorporated areas, contract cities, and incorporated cities, and is enforced by LA County Public Health Environmental Health inspectors during routine restaurant grading visits. Third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub must include an opt-in checkbox during ordering. The rule supplements LA County Code Title 12.84 single-use foodware program with broader accessory coverage. Compostable, reusable, and unwrapped accessories are equally subject to the on-request rule.
First two violations within 12 months draw written warnings. The third and subsequent violations carry $25 per day fines, capped at $300 annually per location. Willful refusal can elevate to $500 administrative penalties through DPH enforcement hearings.
See how Downey's utensils-on-request rules stack up against other locations.
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