NY State Exec Bruce Blakeman and Long Island families lead push to add gluten warnings on all restaurant menus, packaged foods
The NY Post reported that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman joined Long Island families Monday, Nov. 24 in leading a push to add gluten warnings to add packaged foods and restaurant menus across the country.
Blakeman, who is eyeing a potential run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination next year, called on the US Department of Health and Human Services to mandate that companies add labels clearly stating whether products or dishes contain gluten of any kind.
“This issue is important because there are so many people who have celiac disease,” said Blakeman at a press conference. “We need to make sure people who have food issues, whether it’s a food allergy or an autoimmune condition, have access to proper labeling so they know what they can safely consume,” he said.
Roughly 14,000 people suffer from the disease in Nassau County alone. “If we get gluten labeled, life would become so much easier,” 11-year-old, Jax Bari, told The Post after the press conference.
The kids explained how difficult it is to navigate life while avoiding gluten, which includes wheat, barley, rye, and a slew of other everyday ingredients found in nearly all breads, pastas, cereals and processed foods.
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