With the incidents of food allergies continuing to rise, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health hopes to implement a plan this summer to require restaurant staff and menus to address the potential adverse reactions to certain ingredients.
The state's Food Allergy Awareness Act requires the department to develop a plan for restaurants to prominently display a food allergy awareness poster in the back of restaurants as well as post a notice on menus for consumers with food allergies. Restaurant staff also must undergo food allergy training.
According to the Boston Globe, food allergy awareness advocates hope the state's efforts will be a forerunner for other states to follow. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association acknowledged that restaurants do need to increase their awareness of food allergies.
