UPDATE: California is on the brink of a pivotal decision that could reshape dining for millions. State lawmakers are preparing to vote in September 2023 on a groundbreaking bill requiring restaurants to disclose the presence of the nine most common food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans.
This legislation, if passed, would make California the first state in the U.S. to mandate such disclosures, a move that could significantly reduce the anxiety of individuals like 17-year-old Braxton Kimura, who suffers from severe allergies. “Eating out is definitely really dangerous. It’s something that I try to avoid,” Kimura stated, underscoring the urgent need for change.
Under the proposed law, restaurants would be obligated to provide allergen information through physical menus, allergen-specific charts, or digital QR codes. While food trucks and carts would be exempt from these requirements, the impact on traditional dining could be profound, particularly for the nearly 4 million Californians grappling with food allergies.
Senator Caroline Menjivar, who introduced the bill, emphasized its importance: “It’s really to protect the millions of people in California who have allergies like me.” Menjivar, who has personally faced life-threatening allergic reactions, was inspired by similar regulations in Europe and the advocacy of families affected by food allergies, including nine-year-old Addie Lao, a passionate supporter of the bill.
In a heartfelt plea to officials, Lao expressed, “I want to be able to eat out with my friends and family like everyone else.” Her visibility in media and legislative hearings has helped propel the bill into the spotlight, illustrating the real-life stakes involved.
The legislation has garnered support from numerous medical and allergy advocacy groups. However, it faces opposition from the California Restaurant Association, which argues that the bill could impose additional costs and burdens on restaurants already struggling with rising prices and labor shortages. Matthew Sutton, senior vice president of the association, warned, “You get into a situation where the menu becomes unwieldy and it becomes incredibly impractical.”
Despite the opposition, some restaurant owners are staunch supporters. Brian Hom, owner of two Vitality Bowl restaurants in San Jose, shared a personal tragedy that fuels his advocacy: his son died after consuming peanuts at a resort in Mexico. Hom believes this legislation “is going to save lives,” reflecting the urgent need for change.
The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, should it receive approval in September. This timeline gives restaurants time to adapt to the new requirements, but the immediate focus remains on the vote. As the deadline approaches, many are watching closely to see if California will lead the way in safeguarding the health of individuals with food allergies.
With an estimated 33 million Americans living with food allergies, the outcome of this vote could resonate far beyond California, influencing similar legislative efforts across the nation. As advocates rally for the bill, the urgency of the situation is clear: the stakes are high, and the need for allergen transparency has never been more pressing.
Stay tuned for updates as this critical vote approaches, and consider sharing this story to raise awareness about the importance of allergen disclosure in dining establishments.
