Local Laws and Regulations for Food Service Providers

Ulster County's Food Service Waste Reduction Act bans all food service establishments from using expanded polystyrene foam (commonly referred to as Styrofoam) when preparing, selling or providing food and beverages. 

The Food Waste Prevention and Recovery Act requires businesses and institutions that generate at least 1,000 pounds of food scraps per week to separate food waste from the general waste stream and then either arrange for its reuse by the food insecure or for animal feed, compost it on site, or arrange for licensed services for the purpose of delivering it to a processing facility for composting or anaerobic digestion.

As part of the Department of Health’s efforts to prevent the rise of overweight and obese children and adults, EHSD food inspectors also monitor compliance withUlster County Local Law #1– 2009which requires operators of chain and fast food establishments to post calories information on menus and signboards.

The Ulster County "Skip the Straw Law" requires eateries to only provide plastic straws, stirrers, utensils and condiment packets to customers upon request.