Albany, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) today announced that her bill to raise awareness among restaurant workers about food allergies and to prevent dangerous allergic reactions and anaphylaxis passed the Assembly.

“For people with food allergies, dining out at a restaurant can feel like they are taking their lives into their hands. Many restaurant staff people are not properly trained in food allergy awareness, which increases the potential for a dangerous, and completely avoidable, allergic or anaphylactic reaction. This legislation will empower restaurant workers to help prevent deadly allergic reactions,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Chair of the Committee on Social Services.

The legislation, which was carried by Brian Kavanagh in the State Senate, will require every restaurant to conspicuously post in an area accessible to all staff a notice containing information about food allergies that includes: the procedures that staff should follow when a customer notifies them that they have a food allergy, ways to prevent cross contact and instructions on calling 911 in the event that a customer experiences an allergic reaction. The bill will also require the restaurant to post on its physical and online menus a notice directing customers to notify staff if they have a food allergy.