MARC RACICOT GOVERNOR		LAURIE EKANGER DIRECTOR
	STATE OF MONTANA
PHONE: (406) 444-2408 FAX: (406) 444-4135	June 13, 1997	COGSWELL BLDG., RM C317 1400 BROADWAY STREET PO BOX 202951 HELENA, MT 59620-2951

I am writing in response to your request for information pertaining to regulations on footwear requirements in food service establishments.

As you may know, food service regulations do vary from state to state. Montana is currently in the process of updating food regulations. Our current regulations are now 20 years old, and are in need of updating.

There are no laws in our current food service regulations regarding customer requirements to wear footwear. There are clothing requirements for the employee who works in the food service establishment, but nothing is said of the customers that they serve. Each establishment is allowed to enforce their own policy upon the customer they serve. How to address this issue is a management decision by the owner of each establishment.

The fast-food chains have changed the food service industry, and it is not unusual to see the signs posted on the front door, "no shirt, no shoes, no service". While we understand the public health significance of this issue, the issue is one that the industry has handled.

Sincerely,

cc:	Howard Reid, Supervisor, Food & Consumer Safety Section Kathleen Martin, Bureau Chief, Communicable Disease Control & Prevention Bureau

LE/rb