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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, A diverse body of scholarship reports that an
3estimated 15 million Americans have food allergies; and
 
4    WHEREAS, According to a study released in 2013 by the
5Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies
6among children have increased approximately 50% between 1997
7and 2011; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The National Restaurant Association estimates
9that the restaurant industry receives 47% of the American
10consumer's food dollar; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Given the prevalence to consume food prepared in
12restaurants either on the premises or for consumption at home,
13the intersection of food allergies and the regulation of dining
14establishments becomes a new area where the dangers of food
15allergies can be addressed; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Several states have taken affirmative efforts to
17mitigate the potentially devastating effects of allergic
18reactions to food by utilizing their regulatory power to ensure
19that restaurants take proactive steps to prevent food
20allergies; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, In January 2009, Massachusetts Governor Deval
2Patrick signed into law the Massachusetts Food Allergy
3Awareness Act; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The purpose of this legislation is to minimize
5risk of illness and death due to accidental ingestion of food
6allergens by increasing restaurant industry and consumer
7awareness of regulations and best practices with respect to
8major food allergens; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Food Allergy Awareness Act
10takes several comprehensive steps to ensure that the purpose of
11this legislation is fulfilled, such as by requiring posters to
12be developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts
13Restaurant Association and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis
14Network, requiring these posters to be exhibited in prominent
15areas in all food establishments that cook, prepare, or serve
16food intended for immediate consumption either on or off the
17premises, requiring food establishments to include a notice on
18all menus of the customer's obligation to inform the server
19about any food allergies, and requiring a member of the food
20establishment's staff to watch an informational video
21concerning food allegories; and
 
22    WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is
23also required to develop a program for restaurants to be

 

 

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1designated as "Food Allergy Friendly" and maintain a listing of
2these restaurants on its Internet website; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has
4also promulgated regulations enforcing the Massachusetts Food
5Allergy Awareness Act, as well as developed helpful resources
6for businesses to answer their questions and assist in their
7compliance with this legislation; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Other states, such as Michigan, Rhode Island, and
9Virginia, have also passed legislation involving the
10prevention of allergic reactions related to food served in
11restaurants; and
 
12    WHEREAS, While some legislation has been introduced in
13Illinois regarding food allergies, there are still no laws in
14Illinois that minimize risk of illness and death due to
15accidental ingestion of food allergens by increasing
16restaurant industry and consumer awareness of regulations;
17therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
20CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the General Assembly to adopt
21legislation containing provisions that carry out the purpose
22and effect of the Massachusetts Food Allergy Awareness Act to

 

 

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1ensure consumer awareness regarding food allergies and also to
2assist restaurants and other entities serving food in Illinois
3in preventing tragedies that can come with severe allergic
4reactions to food; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent
6to the Governor and the Director of Public Health and made
7available to the members of the General Assembly upon request.