California bill would require restaurants to disclose food allergens on menus

Braxton Kimura dreads eating at restaurants. The California teenager is severely allergic to peanuts, shellfish and most tree nuts. Consuming even a tiny amount could send him to the emergency room. “Eating out is definitely really dangerous. It’s something that I try to avoid,” Kimura, 17, said at his home in San Jose. “When dining out, obviously, I always bring my EpiPens, and I’m really nervous all the time.” Restaurant dining in California could soon become less stressful for Braxton and the growing number of Americans with severe food allergies. State lawmakers are set to vote on legislation that would make California the first U.S. state to require restaurants to disclose whether a menu item contains any of the nine most common food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame and soybeans. Restaurants could post the allergen information on physical menus, an allergen chart, allergen-specific menus or other printed materials. They can also post a QR code to access a digital menu that lists allergens. In September, the Legislature is expected to vote on Senate Bill 68, known as the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (ADDE). If approved and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the new law would take effect on July 1, 2026. Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) introduced the bill earlier this year. Menjivar, who is severely allergic to most nuts and fruits, said she’s had to go to the hospital multiple times for anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction—because she accidentally consumed an allergen. The Southern California lawmaker got the idea for the legislation last year while traveling in Europe, which has required restaurants to disclose food allergens since 2014. The bill has the backing of numerous groups representing medical practitioners and people who suffer from asthma and allergies. This article was provided by The Associated Press.