New York State Mandates Carbon Monoxide Detectors For Restaurants

Starting in June, New York State will require all restaurants and commercial buildings to install carbon monoxide detectors. The law was prompted in part by the February 2014 death of a Legal Sea Foods restaurant manager on Long Island from a carbon monoxide leak from a malfunctioning water heater pipe. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation, which changes state fire prevention and building codes, in December.

Also in New York, in legislation specific to New York City, foodservice and retail establishments will be banned from using plastic foam containers starting this summer. Beginning July 1, it will be illegal to package food in plastic foam cups or containers. The ban, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio, fulfills an initiative begun by his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg. New York follows San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Ore., in prohibiting foam containers.