Description
Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster
Help satisfy Maryland food establishment posting requirements with the Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster. Maryland law requires food establishments to prominently display a food allergy awareness notice in the staff area to help employees recognize food allergens, prevent cross-contact, and respond appropriately to allergic reactions.
Poster Specifications
- Size: 11"W x 17"H
- Orientation: Portrait
- Format: Full-color food allergy awareness poster
- Finish: Completely laminated with high-quality laminate
- Content: Nine major food allergens and food allergy safety procedures
- Requirement: Maryland Health-General §21-330.2
Who Must Post the Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster?
Maryland food establishments are required to display a food allergy awareness poster in a prominent location within the staff area.
Depending on the establishment and applicable food-service regulations, covered businesses can include:
- Restaurants
- Cafeterias
- Commercial kitchens
- Catering operations
- Food service facilities
- Other establishments covered by Maryland food establishment requirements
What Are the Nine Major Food Allergens?
The Maryland Department of Health identifies nine major food allergens that food service employees should recognize:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
Sesame became the ninth major food allergen effective January 1, 2023. Maryland updated its official Food Allergy Awareness Poster to include sesame alongside the previously recognized eight allergens.
What Is the Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Requirement?
Maryland Health-General §21-330.2 requires food establishments to prominently display a poster relating to food allergy awareness that includes information about the risk of allergic reactions.
The Maryland Department of Health developed an official food allergy awareness poster to help food establishments communicate this information to employees.
Where Must the Maryland Food Allergy Poster Be Displayed?
The poster must be displayed prominently in the staff area of the food establishment.
Appropriate locations may include:
- Kitchen employee areas
- Food preparation staff areas
- Employee break rooms
- Food service safety bulletin boards
- Other prominent staff locations
The notice should remain visible and accessible to employees involved in food preparation, handling, and customer service.
What Are the Four R's of Food Allergy Awareness?
The Maryland Department of Health's Food Allergy Awareness Poster identifies four important steps employees should follow when a customer reports a food allergy:
- Refer: Refer the food allergy concern to the department manager or person in charge.
- Review: Review the allergy with the customer and check ingredient labels.
- Remember: Check food preparation procedures for potential allergen cross-contact.
- Respond: Inform the customer of the findings so the customer can make an informed decision.
How Can Food Establishments Prevent Allergen Cross-Contact?
Food allergen cross-contact can occur when an allergen is unintentionally transferred from one food, ingredient, utensil, or preparation surface to another.
Food service employees should take appropriate precautions, including:
- Checking ingredients and food labels
- Cleaning and sanitizing preparation surfaces
- Cleaning utensils, cutting boards, and cookware
- Reviewing shared fryers and grills for potential cross-contact
- Washing hands after handling allergens
- Changing gloves when necessary
- Communicating food allergy concerns to kitchen staff and management
What Should Employees Do During an Allergic Reaction?
Food allergies can cause reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Symptoms can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, vomiting, or other serious reactions.
The Maryland Department of Health's official poster instructs employees to call 911 and notify management if a guest experiences an allergic reaction.
Employees should follow the establishment's emergency procedures and obtain appropriate emergency medical assistance.
Does the Poster Replace Food Allergy Training?
No. Displaying the Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster does not replace applicable employee food safety training, allergen awareness procedures, or other food establishment requirements.
Food establishments should ensure employees understand how to identify allergens, communicate customer concerns, reduce cross-contact, and respond to emergencies.
Additional local food allergen training requirements may apply in certain Maryland jurisdictions.
Is the Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster Required?
Yes. Maryland Health-General §21-330.2 requires food establishments to display a food allergy awareness poster prominently in the staff area.
This is a food establishment-specific posting requirement rather than a general employment poster required of every Maryland business.
Is the Food Allergy Poster Included on a Standard Maryland Labor Law Poster?
The Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster addresses a separate food establishment posting requirement.
Employers should not assume that a standard Maryland state and federal labor law combination poster includes this specialized food allergy notice.
Covered food establishments should display the required Food Allergy Awareness Poster in addition to their other applicable workplace notices.
Does Maryland Require a Separate Choking First Aid Poster?
Maryland also has a separate choking first aid diagram posting requirement for food service facilities that prepare food and provide seating for patrons.
The choking first aid diagram and Food Allergy Awareness Poster address different safety requirements. A food establishment may need both notices depending on its operations.
Current Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster
The Maryland Department of Health updated its Food Allergy Awareness Poster to include sesame as the ninth major food allergen.
Food establishments should review their existing notices and replace older eight-allergen versions with the current nine-allergen poster.
Maryland Workplace Compliance Resources
Labor Law Compliance Center provides Maryland employers and food establishments with state and federal labor law posters, food safety notices, specialty workplace postings, and compliance resources. Visit our Maryland Labor Law Posters page or browse our Maryland State Specialty Posters for additional Maryland compliance products.
