The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
Division of Food and Drugs
305 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-3597
(617) 983-6700  (617) 524-8062 - Fax

JANE SWIFT
GOVERNOR

ROBERT P. GITTENS
SECRETARY

HOWARD K. KOH, MD, MPH
COMMISSIONER

June 25, 2002




Dear Mr. Roat:

This letter responds to your inquiry (dated June 12, 2002) regarding state regulations requiring the wearing of shoes or other footwear by the general public in restaurants and other public places.

There are no regulations requiring shoes or other footwear in restaurants or other retail food establishments in Massachusetts. It is possible, however, that individual cites and towns may have adopted their own ordinances requiring the wearing of shoes. It is also possible that an establishment may adopt a store policy calling for their patrons to wear shoes. I am not knowledgeable of other public places such as libraries and schools.

I hope that this has been helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address above or by e-mail (Beth.Altman@state.MA.US).

Sincerely,

(signed)

Beth Altman
Assistant Director
Food Protection Program





K/BA/md/Roat6-25-02.doc