Smoking Ban Rules Update/IRA Request for Study

The new “Iowa Smokefree Air Act” went into effect on July 1, 2008. The Iowa Department of Public Health has created a list of clarifications and administrative rules  to assist restaurant and bar owners in implementing the new ban. For all documents, please refer to their website http://www.iowasmokefreeair.gov.

Because there is still confusion about components of the administrative rules, the Iowa Restaurant Association recently requested that Governor Culver rescind the rules. However, the request was declined. The IRA has since requested that a study be conducted on the business impact of the smoking ban on small hospitality businesses.

Food Code Changes
The state of Iowa has adopted a new Food Code based on the Federal Drug Administration 2005 Model Food Code. Iowa’s new Food Code took effect on July 1, 2008.  Take a moment to review the document outlines the major changes affecting Iowa’s restaurant and foodservice industry. For further clarification or if you have questions, call the Iowa Restaurant Association.

Download a full copy of the recently adopted 2005 Food Code for your reference.