Shoes for Food Workers

I was just wondering if a restaurant can require a worker to purchase safety shoes from a particular vendor? The new owner of the restaurant where I work is saying that if we don't purchase these certain shoes, that she is held liable in case of an accident - that the insurance company won't pay for accidents if they are any other brand. Doesn't make sense to me...could this be true?

Normally no--call the insurer to verify as well. But any other shoes have to be similarly safe.