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Subcommittee advances bill to add celiac safety to restaurant training
Summary
The House subcommittee reported HB 380, which would require celiac disease awareness and cross-contact safety to be included in written training materials the state health commissioner provides to restaurants; the bill passed the subcommittee with an 8–0 tally and one abstention.
Delegate Bennett Parker introduced House Bill 380, saying a constituent’s experience — a restaurant server removing visible bread but not understanding cross-contact — motivated the measure to add celiac disease awareness and safety to the written training materials the Virginia Department of Health provides to restaurants. Parker said celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause malnutrition and other systemic effects when people ingest gluten.
A constituent who identified himself as Gabriel testified in favor of the bill, saying, “This bill will help me and many others eat at restaurants without worrying about getting sick.” Tommy Herbert of the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association said the industry appreciates the patron’s outreach and the effort to codify a best practice while minimizing regulatory burden.
With no opposition recorded in the room, the subcommittee moved to report HB 380; the clerk announced the bill was reported from the subcommittee 8–0 with 1 abstention. The measure will move to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration and any required referrals.
