Food allergy is a growing public health concern. Fifteen million Americans have food allergies – and they are eager to find restaurants that can accommodate their needs. Eating away from home can pose a significant risk to people affected by food allergy. FARE advocates for the adoption of policies and protocols that require designated restaurant personnel to be trained in food allergy preparedness and available on site during all hours of operation. Other provisions may include but are not limited to: including a notice to patrons on all menus to inform the server about any food allergies; requiring the Certified Food Protection Manager to include allergen awareness in their staff training as part of their standard operating procedures; requiring restaurants to have a procedure to inform customers, upon request, of the presence of major food allergens in menu items; and providing for the Local Public Health Authorities to make available compliance information by maintaining an online source of restaurant inspection scores and valid Certificates of Allergen Awareness Training. It is important to note that currently, the revenue lost from food allergy families avoiding restaurant dining is estimated at $45 million each week – more than $2 billion annually.

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