New bill aims to ensure safe dining experience for customers with allergies | Opinion

For millions of Californians, dining out with food allergies is not just a matter of preference, it can be a matter of life or death. Nearly half of food allergy-related deaths are linked to food from a restaurant or other food service provider. This is why the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is proud to co-sponsor Senate Bill 68, introduced by state Sen. Caroline Menjivar, D-San Fernando Valley, which would require restaurants to list the top nine food allergens on their menus and train staff to handle allergy-related requests.

Known as the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act, SB 68 is named after 9-year-old Addie Lao, a brave, young advocate who lives with multiple food allergies. Addie and her classmates from Sacramento recently testified in support of the bill, reminding lawmakers that no one is too young to make a difference and that no one should have to risk their life just to enjoy a meal with friends.

The concept behind the legislation is simple: individuals and families deserve clear, accessible information about what is in their food, especially when an unknown ingredient could trigger a serious allergic reaction. Up to one out of four serious food allergy reactions occur while dining out.

California has an opportunity to lead the nation in restaurant allergen safety, and we should seize it.

Beginning July 1, 2026, SB 68 would require that all restaurant menus clearly list in writing if a menu item contains any of the nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame or soybeans. The listing must use familiar ingredient names. For example, “tahini” should be labeled as “sesame.” Today, restaurants are only required to know the symptoms of major food allergens and educate employees via posters or job aids, an approach that leaves diners guessing and vulnerable.

SB 68 has inspired a groundswell of support across California. More than 44,000 individuals have signed a petition urging lawmakers to act. Dozens of people have sent personal letters describing the stress and danger they face every time they dine out. The bill has been endorsed by leading medical institutions, including California’s American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

This legislation is also strongly supported by a broad coalition of nonprofit food allergy organizations that prioritize the safety of people with food allergies — not industry interests — because protecting people must come first. Clear allergen labeling is not a novel idea. The practice has already been successfully implemented across the European Union and the United Kingdom since 2014, proving both feasibility and effectiveness.

The California Restaurant Association and the Food Allergy Research & Education nonprofit, however, submitted a joint letter of opposition to the bill, complaining that labeling will cost restaurants too much and saying a digital solution is more effective. But the legislation simply asks restaurants to share ingredient information they already track. While technology can play a useful role, it cannot replace straightforward, printed allergen information on menus, especially when a customer needs answers quickly and reliably. Families should not have to scroll through disclaimers or search third-party websites just to know what’s safe to eat.

Moreover, menu labeling has the potential of bringing in more business to restaurants from food allergy consumers who currently avoid dining out. The goal is not to burden restaurants; the aim is to equip them with the tools and training needed to serve every guest safely and with confidence.

Food allergy safety is not a niche concern: Food allergies are a public health issue that affects one in 13 children and millions of adults. California has long been a leader in protecting public health, from clean air to food labeling. With SB 68, we can extend that leadership.

This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "New bill aims to ensure safe dining experience for customers with allergies | Opinion."