Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act – Restaurant Major Food Allergen Menu Notices (IL HB 4686)
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Summary
Illinois House Bill 4686 (104th General Assembly), introduced by Rep. Maurice A. West, II, would amend the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act to require restaurants, beginning January 1, 2028, to include clear and conspicuous notices on all menus and online menus identifying each menu item that contains a major food allergen, with penalties.
Legislative Intent
Ensure restaurant customers can clearly identify which menu items contain major food allergens through conspicuous notices on menus and online menus.
Key Provisions
Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act (410 ILCS 625/3.08). Existing law (P.A. 101-495) requires restaurants to display a notice telling consumers to communicate food allergy information to an employee; an employee who receives allergy information must relay it to the person in charge or certified food protection manager on duty, and staff must take necessary safety precautions to avoid cross-contamination. New subsection (g): beginning January 1, 2028, the owner of each restaurant in the State must include in all of the restaurant's menus and online menus clear and conspicuous notices identifying each menu item that contains a major food allergen, as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 201(qq) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Who This Bill Serves & Who's Backing It
Core Patient Populations
People with food allergies — including children, students, and their families.
Advocacy Groups Backing This Legislation
No advocacy organizations are currently tracked as backing this bill.Browse advocacy organizations →
Legislative Timeline
Implementation & Enforcement
Votes & Legislative History
Compliance & Requirements
Grade nine and grade 10 health education Standards of Learning; severe allergic reaction awareness training
Requires the Board of Education to include severe allergic reaction awareness training in the health education Standards of Learning for grades nine and 10.
Youth Facility Health Records Rule
Health record maintenance for youth facilities
Requires youth facilities to maintain health records for youth, including allergy information and current medications, and ensures that all medical equipment (like inhalers and epinephrine) is transferred securely with the youth.
Allergy awareness and training in restaurants
Requires food service establishments to implement allergy awareness training for staff regarding major food allergens.
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