What Effect Will Student's Food Allergy Lawsuit Have On Restaurants?
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A university student sued college officials who insisted she purchase a mandatory food plan that made no accommodations for her food allergy to gluten, which was placed under the umbrella of "Americans with Disabilities Act" (see related story).
Partner at Lundy Law Leonard Lundy says this was an isolated case, "because the student had no choice, the school had to provide a facility to meet this student's special needs."
But he says that will not open up privately owned restaurants to liability, because people walk in on their own free will and can leave at any time, but Union League Executive Chef Martin Hamann says professionals are very sensitive to the needs of those with allergies.
"We put a lot of energy into making two separate menus. We'll make a vegetarian menu that is out there for everyone and then we'll do a gluten-free menu or we'll asterisk on the regular menu what is gluten-free."
And Hamann says nut and other allergies are handled in a similar way and if there is any doubt about the ingredients, they will not serve it to the guest.
