Sangamon Sun

Legislation spearheaded by State Senator Sally Turner, aiming to enhance food safety for individuals with celiac disease, has gained unanimous approval from the Illinois Senate. This proposal, known as Senate Bill 1288, focuses on mandating training for all food handlers in Illinois, specifically regarding celiac disease and the safe preparation of gluten-free foods. An additional component of the bill is the inclusion of sesame as a significant allergen within allergen awareness training.

Senator Turner remarked, “This issue became personal to me when a member of my staff was diagnosed with celiac disease. It opened my eyes to the daily challenges faced by individuals who must strictly avoid gluten to stay healthy. This legislation is a step forward in making dining safer and easier for those living with this disease.”

The proposed training program would educate food handlers on various critical aspects, such as identifying symptoms of celiac disease, methods to prevent cross-contamination with gluten-containing foods, and proper procedures for cleaning and sanitizing. Additionally, it would emphasize accurate labeling of gluten-free products.

“Too many people with celiac disease live in fear of cross-contamination every time they eat out,” Turner further explained. “By giving food handlers better tools and training, we can help take away some of that anxiety and make sure everyone can dine with greater confidence and safety.”

Celiac disease is recognized as a serious autoimmune disorder, impacting approximately 1 in 100 people across the globe. For those affected, even minimal gluten exposure can provoke severe adverse health reactions.

Senate Bill 1288 is now set to progress to the Illinois House for additional evaluation.