FARE-Supported New York Food Allergy Awareness Law to Benefit Nearly 2 Million People
New Law Makes Restaurants, Grocery Stores, and Online Vendors Safer for Food Allergy Community
November 29, 2022 (McLean, VA) – Today, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) thanked Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), State Senator Cordell Cleare (D-30), Governor Kathy Hochul and their staffs for their work in passing and having Assembly Bill A2344A signed into law by Governor Hochul on Monday, November 21.
Assembly Bill A2344A goes into effect on May 20, 2023 and requires the more than 30,000 New York food service establishments including restaurants, catering halls, grocery stores that prepare food and online vendors to post a notice for their employees that contains information on 1) the processes to follow if a customer informs staff of a food allergy, 2) how to avoid cross contact, and 3) what to do if a customer has an allergic reaction, including a recommendation on when 911 should be called.
“On behalf of the nearly two million New Yorkers with life-threatening food allergies and their families, FARE is grateful for the work of Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), State Senator Cordell Cleare (D-30), Governor Kathy Hochul and their staffs, and advocates like Stacey Saiontz, Dr. Zara Atal, and Shazia Z. Rafi who have helped make today possible. Thanks to their efforts, millions of food allergy families will now be able to enjoy New York’s more than 30,000 restaurants, grocery stores, catering halls, and online vendors with less anxiety and fear,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE.
The new law also requires that all food service establishments include on their menus the notice, “If you have a food allergy, please notify us,” so that they may take steps to safely prepare an order. Over the next few months, the state’s Commissioner of Health will develop the framework for this law to be implemented.
FARE would also like to thank Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal’s Legislative Director, Nicholas Guile, and advocates Jill Mindlin and her daughter, Maya Konoff, Stacey Saiontz and her son, Jared, Jon Terry, and Toni Taylor, all of whom worked tirelessly to make this day a reality. Due to their diligent efforts, the estimated 1,979,722 New Yorkers with food allergies including the approximately 176,350 under the age of 18 and their families should have a much better and safer dining experience.
Media Contact:
About FARE
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is the leading nonprofit organization that empowers the food allergy patient across the journey of managing their disease. FARE delivers innovation by focusing on three strategic pillars—advocacy, research, and education—united by the through line of health equity. FARE’s initiatives accelerate the future of food allergy through effective policies and legislation, novel strategies toward prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and building awareness and community. For more information, visit FoodAllergy.org.