HONOLULU -- The ingredients in entrees served at restaurants across the state are the target of new legislation at Hawaii's Capitol.

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu is spearheading a food allergy bill that would require restaurants to post guidelines informing staff of food allergies and their risks.

Dixie Grill's manager said the bill is unnecessary. His staff is informed on how to act if someone has an allergic reaction, manager Patrick Dolan said.

"We are going to do the responsible thing and make sure they know we are aware of what we are selling," he said.

Restaurants would also be required to notify their customers somewhere on their menu that it is their responsibility to notify their server if they have a food allergy.

"It could be a small sentence somewhere in the menu, or it can be an insert," Karamatsu said.

The state might view the cost as minimal, but the restaurants are paying the bills.

"It's a minor cost, but when restaurants change menus you have to reprint the allergies and we tend to change menus three four times a year," Dolan said.

Customers with food allergies said they make a point to tell their servers of their allergies.

"I tell them I'm allergic to it because if they don't switch it out and it's touching my food -- you have to be careful on that because it still reacts," customer Jenny Gauvin said.

The bill allows restaurants to choose to participate and does not penalize if they opt out.

"It's a good faith program and with good faith and good effort on their part they can be given the branding by the department as a food-allergy friendly (restaurant)," Karamatsu said.

Karamatsu said the requirements are not meant to burden restaurants. Instead, he said it is designed to assure all restaurants are using safe food practices.