University Settles ADA Claim That Food Allergies Are “Disability.”

A recent settlement agreement between Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the U.S. Justice Department says that food allergies may constitute a “disability” under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The settlement stems from complaints that the University did not offer gluten-free foods to its students. Under the agreement, Lesley University says it must provide gluten-free food in its dining hall, develop individualized meal plans for students with food allergies, provide a dedicated space for storage and preparation of gluten-free and allergen-free foods to avoid cross-contamination, display notices concerning food allergies and identify foods containing specific allergens, train staff about food allergies, and pay a $50,000 cash settlement to the affected students.  More information about the settlement is available here.

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