Restaurants are a place of connection and celebration, serving as the lifeblood of our communities for special occasions and everyday occurrences. For the nearly 1 million people in New Jersey with food allergies, however, eating out can be a challenging experience. According to a survey conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), nearly 90% of parents of children with food allergies say that they avoid some restaurants. The reason why parents avoid dining out is relatively simple: inconsistent information and miscommunication.
As a New Jersey restaurant owner, I want to provide the most welcoming experience for all my patrons. That’s why my independent Brick Lane Curry House in Montclair and Jersey City provide allergen information in writing. This policy is not only good for diners with food allergies, but also a benefit to my business. Families with food allergies are hungry for dining experiences that take into account their particular needs. In just one afternoon, my chef and I were able to identify which of the major food allergens were in each menu item and update our menus to make that information available to our patrons.
S.3394 (Diegnan) and A.4826 (Donlon) would require restaurants in New Jersey to label menus for the top nine most common allergens, which account for more than 90% of food allergy reactions in the United States. The AAFA-led Menus Ensuring Allergen Labeling (MEAL) legislation is written with businesses like mine in mind and allows flexibility in the method of disclosure so restaurants can use a method that works for them.
Food allergen disclosure at restaurants is about more than accommodating a group of potential customers or promoting an allergy-friendly business. Allergen tolerance varies from individual to individual with food allergies, and in some cases, consuming an allergen can cause a serious, potentially fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
More than 30 countries around the world have better regulations for documenting food allergens in restaurant food than we do here in New Jersey. Ireland, for example, requires that all food facilities have written allergen information at the point of sale. Even the small, family-owned cafes and restaurants in Ireland view written allergen information as a basic requirement to keep their customers safe.
Here in the United States, California became the first state in the nation to require food allergen labeling in restaurants, with a new law that took effect in July of this year. New Jersey should follow suit. Thank you to Senator Diegnan and Assemblymember Donlon for introducing S.3394/A.4826, which would require all New Jersey restaurants to provide food allergen information on menus. On behalf of the nearly 1 million people in our state with food allergies, we should ask our lawmakers to take action and pass New Jersey’s MEAL legislation.
Ritesh Patel
Montclair
Co-owner, Brick Lane Curry House, Board Chair, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
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