Advocating for Allergen Transparency in Maryland Restaurants

Time for a Change

Imagine sitting down at a restaurant, looking forward to your meal, but having to worry whether what you’re about to eat contains ingredients that could trigger a serious reaction. For people with food allergies, medical conditions like Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), religious dietary restrictions, or personal food choices, this uncertainty is an everyday reality.

The Problem We’re Solving

Currently, Maryland doesn’t require restaurants to display allergen information on their menus, leaving customers in a vulnerable position. While some restaurant chains voluntarily include allergen symbols like “W” for wheat or “M” for milk, most establishments don’t provide this information. Even when staff members try to help, they’re often not trained to answer specific dietary questions accurately.

I experienced this firsthand when a waiter assured me that a dish was dairy-free, only to discover later that one of the sauces contained milk. These miscommunications can have serious consequences, ranging from uncomfortable symptoms to life-threatening allergic reactions.

The contrast became clear during a family trip to Italy, where every restaurant displayed allergen information clearly on their menus. It was refreshing to dine without constant worry about ingredients. This experience made me wonder: if Italy can implement allergen labeling successfully, why can’t Maryland?

Who Benefits from Allergen Transparency

Clear allergen labeling isn’t just about protecting people with allergies – it serves a much broader community:

• People with Medical Conditions: Those with food allergies, EoE, celiac disease, and other conditions depend on accurate ingredient information to avoid reactions that can range from uncomfortable to dangerous.
• Religious Communities: Many people avoid certain foods for religious reasons. Muslims and Jews need to avoid specific types of meat, while Hindus often avoid beef. Clear labeling makes dining out more accessible and respectful for these communities.
• Vegetarians and Vegans: People who choose plant-based diets for health, environmental, or ethical reasons benefit from knowing exactly what’s in their food to avoid accidentally consuming animal products.
• Health-Conscious Consumers: More people are making informed decisions about their diets, choosing to avoid certain ingredients like dairy, gluten, or soy. Allergen symbols help them make better choices that align with their health goals.

Campaign Strategy

Building Momentum Through Community Support

I started this campaign by launching a petition on Change.org that now has over 850 signatures from people across Maryland who support allergen transparency in restaurants. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, showing that this issue affects many families in our state.

Engaging with Legislators

Armed with community support, I reached out to local legislators to discuss the importance of allergen labeling laws. Initially, my emails received no responses, which taught me that persistence and the right approach matter in advocacy work.

The breakthrough came when I contacted Congressman Jamie Raskin’s office. Not only did someone respond, but the Congressman agreed to meet with me virtually. During our conversation, he was enthusiastic about the initiative and offered to help me connect with state legislators who could sponsor the bill.

Following his advice to mention our conversation in my outreach, I contacted legislators again and received positive responses within two weeks. I was able to meet with three state legislators who were all enthusiastic about sponsoring allergen transparency legislation.

Working with Elected Officials

Currently, I’m collaborating with Maryland Representative Carr, who represents my district, to develop comprehensive allergen labeling legislation. The bill is now currently being drafted and set to be introduced in the next legislative session.

The Legislative Solution

Relying on restaurants to voluntarily provide allergen information isn’t sufficient. Staff members often lack proper training, and miscommunication between kitchen and front-of-house staff can create dangerous situations. A statewide law requiring standard allergen symbols on restaurant menus would provide consistency and clarity across the industry.

Maryland would join other regions like the UK, where restaurants are required by law to clearly mark common allergens on their menus. This approach ensures safety not only for people with allergies but also for those avoiding certain foods for religious or lifestyle reasons.

The Bigger Impact

This campaign starts locally but could have broader implications. If Maryland successfully implements allergen labeling requirements, it could influence other states to adopt similar legislation. When restaurant chains are required to add allergen information in Maryland, they often implement these changes across all their locations, potentially benefiting diners nationwide.

How You Can Help

• Sign the Petition: Visit our Change.org petition and add your voice to the hundreds of Marylanders supporting allergen transparency in restaurants: Petition
• Share Your Story: If you or someone you know has experienced challenges dining out due to dietary restrictions, sharing these experiences helps illustrate why this legislation matters.
• Contact Your Representatives: Reach out to your state legislators to express support for allergen labeling laws. Personal messages from constituents carry significant weight in the legislative process.
• Spread Awareness: Talk about this issue with friends and family, share information on social media, and help build community awareness about the need for allergen transparency.

Looking Forward

This campaign represents more than just policy change – it’s about creating a more inclusive dining environment where everyone can eat safely and confidently. Whether someone avoids certain foods due to allergies, medical conditions, religious beliefs, or personal choices, they deserve access to clear, accurate information about what they’re eating.

The progress we’ve made shows that student advocacy can create real change when supported by community engagement and strategic outreach to elected officials. By working together, we can make Maryland a leader in restaurant allergen transparency and potentially inspire similar changes across the country.

Everyone deserves to dine without fear or uncertainty about their food. This campaign is working to make that vision a reality in Maryland, one restaurant at a time.

Resources

Maryland Laws and Regulations on Allergens in Restaurants
Maryland Legislative Process: How a bill becomes a law

Here’s a list of countries with laws that require restaurants to display allergen information, along with sources and key points of each regulation:

1. European Union (EU)

• Regulation: EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (FIC) 1169/2011
• Key Points: Since December 2014, restaurants, cafes, and food service outlets in the EU must provide allergen information for non-prepacked food. The law mandates the clear labeling of 14 allergens, including gluten, nuts, dairy, soy, and shellfish.
• Source: European Commission, “Food Information to Consumers – Legislation”
  European Commission

2. United Kingdom

• Regulation: Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR)
• Key Points: Restaurants must clearly provide information on the 14 major allergens either in writing or verbally, with processes in place to ensure accuracy. The law is enforced across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Source: Food Standards Agency, “Allergen Information for Loose Foods”
  Food Standards Agency

3. Australia

4. Canada

• Regulation: Canadian Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) Amendments for Allergen Labelling
• Key Points: Restaurants are encouraged, but not yet fully required, to provide allergen information for food items. However, packaged foods must clearly list priority allergens (including eggs, milk, peanuts, and soy).
• Source: Government of Canada, “Allergen Labelling”
  Government of Canada

5. Ireland

• Regulation: Food Information to Consumers Regulations 2014 (SI No. 556 of 2014)
• Key Points: Similar to broader EU regulations, Ireland enforces mandatory allergen labeling in restaurants, requiring details on the 14 allergens to be available on menus or upon request.
• Source: Food Safety Authority of Ireland
  FSAI

6. France

• Regulation: Décret n° 2015-447 (French Food Labelling Law)
• Key Points: France requires restaurants to display or provide allergen information for 14 key allergens. Menus must indicate allergen presence or have clear signage directing customers to inquire about allergen content.
• Source: French Ministry of Agriculture, “Food Labelling”
  Legifrance

7. Spain

• Regulation: Real Decreto 126/2015
• Key Points: All Spanish restaurants must disclose the presence of 14 allergens in their food. Allergen information must be provided in written format, either on the menu or in a separate document.
• Source: Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición
  AESAN

8. Italy

• Regulation: Decreto Legislativo 231/2017
• Key Points: Italian law requires allergen information for non-prepacked food in restaurants, catering, and food delivery services, aligned with the EU regulations for clear allergen disclosure.
• Source: Italian Ministry of Health, “Allergen Labelling”
  Ministero della Salute

These laws emphasize the global trend towards better transparency and safety in dining and could serve as a model for similar regulations in Maryland.