California Food Allergens Bill Could Change Dining Experience
San Jose, California (AP) – Braxton Kimura, a teenager from San Jose, knows well the serious risks of dining out. With allergies to peanuts, shellfish, and most nuts, even a tiny trace could send him to the emergency room.
“Eating out is definitely really dangerous,” Kimura, 17, admitted. “When I eat, I always carry my epipen, and I’m pretty nervous.” His daily life reflects the challenges faced by many Americans with food allergies.
A soon-to-be-voted law might change the dining landscape for Kimura and others in the state.
California legislators are poised to make it the first state to require restaurants to clearly indicate if menu items contain common allergens such as milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame seeds, and soybeans.
Allergen information can be shared on physical menus, allergen charts, or through QR codes linking to digital documents. However, food trucks and carts are excluded from this requirement.
Congress is also set to vote on Senate Bill 68, known as the Dining Experience Act, which aims for allergen transparency. If passed and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026.
“This is about protecting the millions of Californians with allergies like me,” stated Sen. Caroline Mengiver, a Democrat, who sponsored the bill. She listened to a heartbreaking account from Menjibal, a constituent who has faced multiple hospital visits due to anaphylactic reactions to food.
The idea for the law emerged during travels in Europe, where officials saw how restaurants managed allergen information. Shortly after, Menjibal was contacted by parents seeking safer dining options for their daughter, leading to advocacy from nine-year-old Addie Lao, who has become a prominent voice for the bill.
“I want to be able to eat out with friends and family just like everyone else,” Lao told lawmakers, emphasizing her struggle to avoid allergens that feel toxic to her body.
The bill has garnered support from practitioners and various advocacy groups. However, the California Restaurant Association opposes it, arguing that it adds financial strain on an industry already facing challenges like rising costs and labor shortages.
Restaurant representatives desire more flexibility in presenting allergen information, concerned about the logistics and costs associated with constantly updating menus.
Some chains, like Chipotle, Red Robin, and Olive Garden, have already begun posting allergen details on their menus.
Brian Hon, a restaurant owner in San Jose, backs the bill after a tragic personal experience: his son died from an allergic reaction at a Mexican resort. He believes the law is crucial, stating, “It will save lives.”
Statistics from non-profit organizations suggest that around 33 million Americans, approximately 4 million in California, face food allergies—a number that is on the rise.
Kimura, diagnosed at 14 months after a severe reaction to peanuts, continues to navigate the complexities of his allergies with caution. “I have to be careful at all times,” he remarked.
As a high school senior and basketball player, Kimura has started a movement called Beyond the Shell, which includes a documentary titled “The Last Bite,” highlighting life with severe allergies. While he acknowledges that regular communication with restaurant staff is vital, he feels that allergen labels could significantly alleviate the stress of dining out.
“It brings me peace of mind,” he explained, noting that awareness about food allergies is essential. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
