SJ0047 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0047 LRB099 16977 MST 41326 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A diverse body of scholarship reports that an estimated 15 million Americans have food allergies; and

WHEREAS, According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children have increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011; and

WHEREAS, The National Restaurant Association estimates that the restaurant industry receives 47% of the American consumer's food dollar; and

WHEREAS, Given the prevalence to consume food prepared in restaurants either on the premises or for consumption at home, the intersection of food allergies and the regulation of dining establishments becomes a new area where the dangers of food allergies can be addressed; and

WHEREAS, Several states have taken affirmative efforts to mitigate the potentially devastating effects of allergic reactions to food by utilizing their regulatory power to ensure that restaurants take proactive steps to prevent food allergies; and

WHEREAS, In January 2009, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the Massachusetts Food Allergy Awareness Act; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of this legislation is to minimize risk of illness and death due to accidental ingestion of food allergens by increasing restaurant industry and consumer awareness of regulations and best practices with respect to major food allergens; and

WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Food Allergy Awareness Act takes several comprehensive steps to ensure that the purpose of this legislation is fulfilled, such as by requiring posters to be developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, requiring these posters to be exhibited in prominent areas in all food establishments that cook, prepare, or serve food intended for immediate consumption either on or off the premises, requiring food establishments to include a notice on all menus of the customer's obligation to inform the server about any food allergies, and requiring a member of the food establishment's staff to watch an informational video concerning food allegories; and

WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is also required to develop a program for restaurants to be designated as "Food Allergy Friendly" and maintain a listing of these restaurants on its Internet website; and

WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has also promulgated regulations enforcing the Massachusetts Food Allergy Awareness Act, as well as developed helpful resources for businesses to answer their questions and assist in their compliance with this legislation; and

WHEREAS, Other states, such as Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia, have also passed legislation involving the prevention of allergic reactions related to food served in restaurants; and

WHEREAS, While some legislation has been introduced in Illinois regarding food allergies, there are still no laws in Illinois that minimize risk of illness and death due to accidental ingestion of food allergens by increasing restaurant industry and consumer awareness of regulations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the General Assembly to adopt legislation containing provisions that carry out the purpose and effect of the Massachusetts Food Allergy Awareness Act to ensure consumer awareness regarding food allergies and also to assist restaurants and other entities serving food in Illinois in preventing tragedies that can come with severe allergic reactions to food; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor and the Director of Public Health and made available to the members of the General Assembly upon request.