Bill to require food allergy information on menus clears Pa. House

A bipartisan bill requiring restaurants to post food allergen information on menus passed the state House last week by a wide margin.

The bill’s sponsors say making that information available to diners could save lives.

“The last thing anyone should worry about while enjoying a meal with their family and friends is having a medical emergency brought on by a food allergy,” said Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny County.

The bill would also require restaurants to display posters to make servers aware of food allergies and staff members would be required to undergo food allergy safety training.

The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, the industry group representing restaurants, is on board with the legislation.

“As the association representing the thousands of restaurants, bars, caterers, and other hospitality businesses across Pennsylvania, PRLA understands the critical importance of food allergy awareness as it relates to the health and safety of guests,” said Joe Massaro, the association’s president and CEO. “While many of our members already have comprehensive food allergy protocols in place, others are looking for best practices, and we believe HB 77 assists with this effort by establishing reasonable, non-onerous standards for operators throughout the commonwealth.”

Venkat and Rep. Natalie Mihalek, a Republican from Allegheny County, are reviving a bill that passed the House last session but failed to get a vote in the Senate.

“The scariest part is that someone with food allergies could do everything right, such as carrying EpiPens and asking questions, and still have a serious problem. A little information can go a long way in avoiding future catastrophes,” said Mihalek.

A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana County, did not indicate whether Pittman supported the bill, saying only it will be referred to committee.

As many as 33 million Americans, or 1 in 10 adults, have food allergies and estimates suggest food allergies lead to 200 deaths per year — nearly half of them from food consumed in restaurants.

At least six other states have laws requiring menus to list food allergens.