September 1, 2010- The LRAEF is partnering with the NRAEF to highlight the importance of food safety. September is National Food Safety Education Month and this year's theme is "High Risk Customers: Serve Your Fare with Extra Care."

August 25, 2010- The Food and Drug Administration has released guidance on the new federal nutrition-disclosure law that requires restaurants with 20 or more locations to post nutrition data on restaurant menus and menu boards. The FDA released two guidance documents. Both are available on the FDA's website -- one on how the federal law preempts non-identical state and local menu-labeling laws and the second offering draft guidance on the menu-labeling process for covered restaurants.

August 23, 2010- Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) President & CEO Jim Funk will moderate a panel discussion Thursday, August 26 from 9-10 a.m. on the recovery of the New Orleans restaurant industry and emergency preparedness. It will be held at the Katrina V Media Center at the Marriott New Orleans Hotel, 555 Canal Street, 2nd floor.

August 23, 2010- As the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches, the number of retail food establishments in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes are reopening at a relative pace with population and infrastructural recovery in those areas. Read more.

August 20, 2010-   Federal and state officials are investigating a nationwide increase of Salmonella Enteritidis infections associated with shell eggs. On August 13, 2010, Wright County Egg conducted a nationwide voluntary recall of shell eggs. On August 19, the recall was expanded. For an up-to-date list of brands recalled, including egg carton codes, see the Affected Brands and Descriptions chart.

August 23, 2010- The Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) is now taking over the claims responsibility from BP. Starting today, all claims must be made through GCCF. If you have already filed a claim with BP, you MUST re-file with GCCF. After the facility reviews your claim and if you are determined eligible, you will receive up to six months of Emergency Advance Payments (EAP). You have until November 23 to file for the EAP. You do not waive your right to sue BP, unless you accept a Final Payment from GCCF. File your claim online, by mail, or in person. GCCF promises EAPs to eligible individuals within 48 hours; eligible businesses, seven days.

August 20, 2010-  Governor Bobby Jindal announced yesterday that BP has agreed to fund a three-year, $13 million fishery-resource monitoring plan and he also called on BP to fund the state's long-term comprehensive seafood certification and marketing plan that was submitted nearly two months ago. Read more.

August 17, 2010 –  U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke visited the LRA office yesterday to tout Louisiana seafood and announce a new federal coastal restoration project. Locke, along with U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph and State Sen. Conrad Appel met with restaurant and business owners. Click here to read more.

August 17, 2010 – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ordered an emergency reopening of commercial fishing areas that were previously closed due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Commercial fishing reopened for finfish and shrimp in portions of state waters in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes August 14. For more details, click here.

July 28, 2010 – NRA President & CEO Dawn Sweeney has shared a study from the U.S. Travel Association. The study shows the spill's impact on travel and tourism will likely last three years and could cost up to $22.7 billion in lost spending. It also reinforces the need for a substantial and significant marketing program that could cut that economic damage by one-third.

July 28, 2010 – LRA & NRA Past Chair Ralph Brennan testified at a hearing of U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee about the effect the oil spill is having on the perception and safety of Gulf seafood and how it is impacting New Orleans restaurants this week. Read his testimony here.

July 22, 2010 – LRA member Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale offer advice about the best course of action a restaurant can take when deciding whether or not to pursue litigation against BP because of lost business and revenue from the oil spill. Read "BP Oil Spill- What are my options?"

July 22, 2010 – LRA President & CEO Jim Funk was a featured guest speaker at the Rally for Economic Survival yesterday at the Cajundome in Lafayette. The event, which protested the Obama Administration's ban on offshore drilling, drew 11,000 supporters. Funk's rousing speech focused on the harm the moratorium will have on the state's restaurant industry. Click the link to read more and visit the Rally's website for more recaps.

July 13, 2010 – President Obama has issued a second deepwater drilling moratorium and the LRA continues to lobby against it. This moratorium will have a devastating effect on Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. The LRA will be co-sponsoring a rally Wednesday, July 21 to protest the moratorium. “Rally for Economic Survival” will be held at the Cajundome in Lafayette and LRA President & CEO Jim Funk will be speaking on behalf of the LRA. We encourage everyone in the Lafayette area to attend. This rally will be the largest of its kind in the nation, with an expected attendance of 15-20,000 people!

July 2, 2010 – MAINTAIN, a medical assistance program from Pfizer for the newly unemployed, more than 70 Pfizer medicines that treat a range of chronic health conditions. Beneficiaries of this program can get their Pfizer medicines for free for up to one year or until they become insured, whatever comes first.

July 1, 2010 – The BP oil spill latest talking points are now available. Please use them when speaking to customers and patrons.

June 30, 2010 – Abita Brewing Company recently held a press conference to announce it has created a new charitable beer called SOS (Save Our Shore) to direct funds to assist in the oil spill clean-up. For every bottle sold, Abita will donate 75 cents to the rescue and restoration of the environment and the seafood industry. To learn more, click here.

June 21, 2010 – Governor Jindal recently requested that BP fund a $457 million Seafood Safety Response Plan. This is a critical issue affecting our state and this plan, if properly funded, will help revitalize the state's seafood industry. Read the key message points and plan summary.

June 21, 2010 – The Louisiana Office of Tourism is conducting the second round BP Oil Spill survey of tourism industry partners. Participation in this survey is extremely important and valuable, as it helps determine the oil spill impact on Louisiana's tourism industry. The first round of results have been provided to state government agencies, such as Department of Culture Recreation & Tourism, and national government agencies, such as the Counsel of Economic Advisors of the Office of the President of the United States. To participate, click here.

June 21, 2010 – The Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board has set up a fund to help those fishermen experiencing economic hardship from the BP oil spill--Friends of the Fishermen. To donate, click here.

June 15, 2010 – BP has announced that it has approved initial payments toward 90 percent of commercial large loss claims that have been filed as a result of financial losses of the Deepwater Horizon incident and spill. To file a claim, please call 1-800-440-0858  or visit BP's claims website.

June 10, 2010 – As the BP oil spill is ongoing, members may have tax-related questions. The IRS has provided a link to its Restaurant Tax Center, which will be updated with information to help our industries that are being impacted.

June 3, 2010 – Louisiana’s Spring Shrimp Season opened May 31 in all of Zone 1, with the exception of those areas previously closed by the LDWF.

June 1, 2010 – The BP oil spill is impacting thousands of people who make their living from harvesting, catching, selling and preparing seafood. Click here to learn their stories.

May 28, 2010 – Since the Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) has been monitoring the BP Oil Spill situation daily and working with officials from many federal, state and local agencies. Read about our ongoing efforts.

May 26, 2010 – Restaurateurs have likely heard about lawsuits being filed, limitations on liability and federal and state laws that will come into play in the aftermath of the oil spill. Click here to read an overview provided by the LRA’s General Counsel.

May 25, 2010 – The Louisiana Workforce Commission has released a Response Report to the BP Oil Spill. Click here to access information on job opportunities, important phone numbers and scam warnings.

May 24, 2010 – BP has released its Louisiana Shoreline Response Report. Click here to read.

May 21, 2010 – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extending to one year the first payment due date on its Economic Injury Disaster Loans to owners of small businesses that have been financially impacted by the Deepwater BP Oil Spill. Click here for more information.

May 17, 2010 – Our message to the public remains consistent - Louisiana seafood is safe to eat. All areas that have been closed are strictly precautionary at this time and are being assessed daily by the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Dept. of Environmental Quality. The Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals has issued some tips and FAQs regarding the BP oil spill.