BOSTON Beginning this summer, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will require restaurants in the state to be more proactive in addressing potential reactions to food allergens.
Officials from the state health department unveiled new requirements Wednesday that call for restaurant employees to undergo training and education on preventing foods from becoming contaminated by allergy-inducing items. Restaurants also will be required to post allergy alert stickers on all menus that would remind guests to inform wait staff about any food allergies before orders are placed.
Restaurant industry members said they support the measure because it would help ensure a safe dining experience for consumers.
“This law isn’t perfect, but it’s a meaningful first step towards raising awareness,” said Janine Harrod, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. “It emphasizes the responsibility of the food-allergic customer to remain vigilant about everything they put into their bodies.”
Harrod added that the law has been in the works for several years and that the MRA chose to collaborate on the legislation rather than fight it. She said she believed that collaboration helped during negotiations and minimized potential hardships for restaurateurs.
“It turns out the industry and allergy advocates actually want the same thing: for people to dine out safely and have a positive experience at restaurants," she said. "Our only disagreement has been about which road will take us there. The last thing we want is for consumers to feel a sense of security based on this law, which was designed to raise awareness.
"But that’s not to say customers won’t have unrealistic expectations," Harrod added. "It will take time for the industry to get to the level that many advocates envision, and this law does not provide a guarantee to someone with food allergies that their expectations must be met.”
Harrod noted that while the law currently does not require operators to post allergy alerts on menu boards and drive-thrus, the Public Health Council can expand the scope of requirements before the requirements are formally adopted into law in April.
“There has already been indication that they may have an interest in [making changes],” she said.
Industry members will be able to address the regulations at a public hearing March 12.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].