This week, the Health Commission of the Chilean Senate took a crucial step by sending the project popularly known as the “Glass of Water Law” to Sala. This measure will add a new obligation for restaurants and commercial establishments whose activity consists of the sale of food, such as fast food establishments and soda fountains.
The new measure for restaurants in Chile:
The proposal clearly establishes that the restaurants and food establishments Chili “They must make available to their clients, at their tables or close to them and without prior request, a container with drinking water in sufficient quantity for their consumption.” The text emphasizes that its provision will be free and will be considered a mandatory complementary service for restaurants.
How and who will supervise restaurants that do not comply?
Regarding sanctions, this was one of the most debated points in the processing of the law. Previously, it had been evaluated to establish a fixed and specific fine of 1 to 10 UTM per year for the restaurants that they did not comply. However, this option was finally ruled out by parliamentarians in the Health Commission debate.
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It was agreed that the fines will be associated with the management of the regional secretariats of the Ministry of Health (SEREMI). This means that the inspection of restaurants To guarantee the delivery of free water, it will be integrated into the inspection processes already carried out by these entities. Senator Ximena Ordenes, along with her peers, approved the proposal in the first step, marking significant progress towards mandatory compliance in restaurants.
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The key points that should be applied by restaurants are:
- Drinking water
- Availability
- Gratuity.
- No requirement
