§ 21-34.1-3. Immunity from liability for food donors. (a) A person, gleaner, or food facility may donate food to a food bank or to any other nonprofit charitable organization for distribution to persons free of charge. Food facilities may donate food directly to end recipients for consumption.

(b) Except for injury resulting from gross negligence or intentional misconduct in the preparation or handling of donated food, no person, gleaner, or food facility who or that donates food that is fit for human consumption at the time it was donated to a nonprofit charitable organization or food bank shall be liable for any damage or injury resulting from the consumption of the donated food. Food facilities may donate food directly to end recipients for consumption.

(c) The immunity from civil liability provided by this chapter applies regardless of compliance with any laws, regulations, or ordinances regulating the packaging or labeling of food storage or handling of the food by the donee after the donation of the food. The donation of nonperishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation act. The donation of perishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation act if the person who or that distributes the food to the end recipient makes a good-faith evaluation that the food to be donated is wholesome.

(d) A nonprofit charitable organization or a food bank that, in good faith, receives and distributes food without charge that is fit for human consumption at the time it was distributed is not liable for an injury or death due to the food unless the injury or death is a direct result of the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the organization.

(e) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the ability of a person, gleaner, or food facility to donate food.

(f) A person or gleaner engaged in the business of processing, distributing, or selling an agricultural product may donate, free of charge, a product that is in a condition that it may be used as food for human consumption to a nonprofit charitable organization within the state. Food facilities may donate food directly to end recipients for consumption. The donation of nonperishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation act. The donation of perishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation act if the person who or that distributes the food to the end recipient makes a good-faith evaluation that the food to be donated is wholesome.

(g) To assist in accomplishing the purposes of this chapter, the director may redistribute donated agricultural products to organizations operating pursuant to this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 2019, ch. 97, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 123, § 2.)