Federal Laws Addressing Liability

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Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996

The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-210, provided limited tort immunity to encourage the donation of food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals. Despite the fact that millions of Americans go hungry, organizations had been reluctant to donate food due to liability concerns. Congress enacted the Food Donation Act to allow retailers, farmers, restaurants, and nonprofit feeding programs to donate safe food and grocery products to food banks and soup kitchens.