Lawmakers Consider Food Allergy Bill

April 24, 2007 07:15 PM EDT

WILMINGTON -- If you or your children have food allergies, you know
how risky it can be just to go out to eat. You can't know for sure
what's in the food, and whether it will make you sick.

Now, the general assembly in Raleigh is considering a change to the
state law that will take some of the gamble out of eating out.

Susie Hartness' 4-year-old son, Tyler, is allergic to peanuts. Her 7-
year-old son is allergic to peanuts.

She's relieved state lawmakers are considering making it easier to
take her family out to eat.

A bill in the house would require restaurants to post signs if they
prepare or serve foods containing peanuts, tree nuts or shellfish.

Hartness says she knows what she cooks at home is safe, but when they
head out to dinner, it's a situation that can end in frustration.

"Some places we don't go at all, because they can't answer questions.
They don't even know what's in the food. They say the menu changes or
some food is pre-packaged," she said.

And not knowing can be deadly.

Last summer, Tyler reacted violently after eating a pistachio - that
was before they knew he had allergies.

Now he wears a bracelet telling people he can't eat nuts of any kind.

But his mom is excited about the possibility of going out to eat
without worrying about ending up in the hospital emergency room.

If passed, the bill would take effect October 1.

Reported by Sarah Warlick
http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=6414877&nav=2gQc