Many restaurants around the country have their menus- but they don't list potential allergens that are common in many people. Not listing these allergens can lead to unexpected allergic reactions, whether mild or severe. Restaurants are not required by law to list allergens on their menus, and this needs to change. 

My name is Leo Stull. I'm 16 years old and I have a severe tree nut allergy. Recently I went to a local Italian restaurant for the first time and ordered their spaghetti and meatballs. Seems like a normal order, right? I have ordered that so many times in the past without issue. This, however, was different. It turns out that this dish had pine nuts in it, a tree nut that I am luckily not as severely allergic to, but still have a mild allergy. The menu did not inform me of this anywhere, and since many of the same dishes at other restaurants do not contain the nut I would've thought nothing of it. I had a minor reaction and it really ruined my night. This situation would've turned out way different if I had a more severe allergy, however, and I very well would be in the hospital instead of writing this. And this all could have been avoided if they had just listed the allergy.

I am asking that there be a law or regulation in place that requires all restaurants to list common allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, soy, and other items in their menu to inform customers. This regulation is put in place for pre-packaged foods, but somehow isn't in place for restaurants. This situation could turn deadly for myself or many others with common allergies if we go out to eat somewhere. It needs to be changed, and it needs to happen now.

Thank you for reading, and I hope my message is clear and makes some change.