(16 votes, average: 4.38 out of 5)A California woman seems to want to have her gluten-free lo mein and eat it, too.
Anna Marie Phillips is attempting to file a class action against the popular Asian-American restaurant chain P.F. Chang’s for charging more for items on a gluten-free menu — a practice that Phillips claims is a discriminatory violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
While the menu only charges a dollar more per gluten-free menu item, this article from Legal Newsline reports that the estimated damages in Phillips’ proposed class action would be at “$4000 per violation”.
It doesn’t help Phillips’ case that the Celiac Disease Foundation — whose mission is to “improve the quality of life for all people affected by gluten-related disorders” — doesn’t support Phillips’ lawsuit.
Marilyn G. Geller, the CEO of the Celiac Disease Foundation, was quoted in Legal Newsline as saying, “[The] Celiac Disease Foundation recognizes that restaurants bear a financial burden for the employee training and other accommodations that are required to serve meals that are safe for those with celiac disease.”
Do you agree with Ms. Geller? Does Phillips’ lawsuit leave a bad taste in your mouth?
