Posted on 03/22/2014 8:39:25 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
A new Maryland bill would let counties require each restaurant to have a staff member trained on food allergens, ready to advise customers. Is the measure needed?
County governments may soon have authority to make restaurants accommodate customers with food allergies.
A new bill would let counties require each restaurant to have a staff member trained on food allergens, ready to advise customers, reports WJLA TV. The bill would also require restaurants statewide to encourage customers to notify servers about their food allergies.
The Senate passed the measure 33-14 Monday evening. A similar bill is pending in a House committee.
Restaurants could post an advisory on the menu, asking customers with allergies to notify their servers. Or the server could ask before taking customers' orders, says CBS DC.
The Senate version, introduced by Sen. Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County, would not apply to service stations or vendors at carnivals and fairs.
” the customer makes choices in food that does not have the allergens.”
Yes indeedy, and how does the customer know that the restarant puts in a dish? The waitstaff has to be informed as to whats in a dish. Does the chicken pot pie have peas? If it’s not in the menu description, how does the customer know?
Do you cook your fries with peanut oil?
This makes no sense. The bill “lets counties require” the restaurant to have an allergen specialist? So it’s still up to the counties themselves? Outside of Montgomery and Howard I don’t see any of them “requiring” this. And from what I’ve seen, many restaurants already have a statement in their menus that says to let them know if you have any dietary requests.
Well it’s catch as catch can.
The default answer should be “We don’t know.” If the lawsuit didn’t teach that, I don’t know what will.
“The law states the restaurant must notify customers that customers must notify the restaurant of allergies. “
A number of states do this now. Look at http://www.foodallergy.org/
This is ridiculous. It is up to the person with allergies to ask if the foods contain allergens.
I have several food allergies. I don’t expect restaurants to be able to guess at them. I ask what is in the food before I order it. Any person with allergies does the same.
This is just another step towards a paternalistic world where no one is responsible for their own lives. Yes, allergies are a pain. No, the rest of the world has no obligation to watch out for your allergies.
The customer can ask. And if the wait staff doesn’t know, they ask the cook. Is it that hard, really? The state has to step in?
Well, at least now I know California doesn’t have a lock on lunacy.
I’m sympathetic to those with allergies, but frankly, anyone with an allergy so bad it can kill them who trusts a waitress ‘ s word on the ingredients of a particular dish is irresponsible IMO.
“No need to have a maven present.”
A couple people informed about food allergies is all that’s needed. The law puts the onus on the diner to ask, and the restaurant has to have someone who has a clue. About food allergies, and they are in the business of providing food. In a world where lots of people have food allergies.
And they have to be there ALL the time... if one of them sicks out then what?
No, do not ask restaurants to be nannies. The default answer should be “we don’t know.” And it’s the allerginuts who have asked for that.
I agree. The person should at least consult a cook.
“Is it that hard, really? The state has to step in?”
Lots of people have no idea about food allergy issues. The state is requiring that some people get a clue. Get relevant information about risks that exist in their line of work.
You are mixing two levels of concern. OSHA level stuff which might have to do with being allergic while working in a restaurant, and this new nannydom.
Sorry, America should not be DBrow-beaten.
“And they have to be there ALL the time... if one of them sicks out then what?”
This is not a complicated issue, the waitstaff needs to know what the kitchen is putting on the plates, it’s that simple.
If you eat out and ask, is this spicy, and the waiter says “I don’t know”, would you order it?
Why not let restaurants who want to take the trouble to be allergy friendly, be rewarded by patronage by the allergic? You want a nanny.
Spicy is on a different level than does it have this, or that, or the other allergen. Competent waitstaff would ask the cooks about spicy, and the cooks will know.
No DBrowbeating for me please.
“Sorry, America should not be DBrow-beaten.”
So I should have no expectation that a food server has competence in knowing what they are serving?
You want allergy friendly, let the market handle it. You are a camel nosing into a tent.
“You want a nanny.”
I want competent servers. Like I expect competent car mechanics.
So in your world, if the dish is too spicy, you’d eat it and not send it back.
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