To the editor:
In December 2018 the New Jersey Legislature introduced an act concerning food allergen awareness in restaurants. The act states that the Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, shall prepare an informational sign promoting food allergen awareness, which shall include information about the most common food allergens, consequences of allergic reactions to food, best practices for food storage, and preparation to prevent cross-contamination with food allergens, the symptoms of and an appropriate response to an allergic reaction to food.
The act further states that the Commissioner of Health shall additionally prepare a sign for restaurant customers advising them to notify their server if they have any food allergies.
Each restaurant in the state of New Jersey must acquire a food allergen awareness sign and make sure that it is prominently displayed within the area of the restaurant that is most frequently used by restaurant staff.
In addition, restaurants in New Jersey must acquire an appropriate number of customer advisory signs and place them within the restaurant where customers place food or drink orders in areas like dining tables, dining counters, drive-through menu boards, and walk-up ordering stations.
As a young adult who suffers from multiple food allergens, I have yet to see the above requirements consistently in place at local food establishments within our area.
Perhaps greater understanding of the large number of people affected by food allergens and its economic impact will force more local restaurant establishments to be compliant. The Food Allergy Research and Education foundation (F.A.R.E.) estimates that there are more than 15 million people living with food allergies including one in 13 children, or roughly two children in every classroom.
Also, according to F.A.R.E., the revenue lost from food allergy families avoiding restaurant dining is estimated at $45 million weekly, adding up to more than $2 billion annually.