Celiac Disease Leads to Lawsuit Against School

DIANA LI
News Editor

Last December, Lesley University faced a settlement that now requires the school to serve gluten-free foods. The U.S. Justice Department received a complaint in 2009 alleging that the university violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not accommodating students with celiac disease, a common genetic disorder that interferes with gluten tolerance and other food allergies.

Although the case affects only that university, this settlement sets a precedent in favor of students with food allergies, who can file lawsuits against restaurants and public schools for not meeting their dietary needs.

“Because there is an increasing amount of people with a need for a gluten-free diet, public eateries should learn to adapt to the
growing needs of the population they feed,” senior Rebecca Vilaylak said.

This settlement holds implications on the food served at public schools. Currently, AHS is in the green; AUSD allows students with valid medical statements to request special meals by completing an application.

“As a person with food allergies, it’s important for a school to have a [wide] variety of food served in its cafeteria,” junior Shaina Kim said. “However, it is also important for students to be responsible for what they eat.”