For people and families living with food allergies, dining in a restaurant can be a stressful experience. Without clear information about the ingredients of restaurant meals, people managing food allergies face challenges in making safe dining choices.

That’s why the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) supports a new law called SB 68, also known as the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act. Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) is a division of AAFA.

What Is California’s ADDE Act?

The ADDE Act is a bill introduced by California State Senator Caroline Menjivar this year. Senator Menjivar has severe food allergies and has experienced anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, after eating at restaurants.

Senator Menjivar introduced this bill after hearing from 9-year-old Addie Lao about the challenges of eating safely at restaurants. Addie wants restaurants to make their menus easier to navigate for people with allergies.

If this law passes, every restaurant in California will be required to list the top 9 food allergens on their menus. These allergens are milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame.

Why This Bill Matters

As of 2023, an estimated 2.5 million California residents live with one or more food allergies. This bill will help people in California eat at restaurants with much greater transparency and safety. Transparency means clear and easy-to-understand information. Up to 1 out of 4 serious food allergy reactions occur while dining out. Nearly half of food allergy-related deaths are linked to food from a restaurant or other food service provider.

For example, 2 months ago, a 34-year-old woman named Dominique Brown passed away in Los Angeles, California, after eating something she was allergic to at a holiday food event. This was a tragedy for our community that could have been prevented. AAFA believes that similar tragedies can be prevented by passing the ADDE Act.

What Is AAFA Doing to Help?

AAFA is leading efforts to get other groups, community members, and experts to support the bill. AAFA is also organizing events where people can share stories with their California senators about why this law matters.  

We are writing joint letters of support from national and state-based organizations, working with consumer protection experts, and coordinating several grassroots days of action in Sacramento, California.

How Can I Help?

If you live in California, here are a few ways you can help make restaurants safer:

• Let us know if you would be willing to write a letter about your experiences with food allergies in restaurants.
• Join our online training on how to write letters to lawmakers on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
• Come to our event in Sacramento on April 9, 2025.
• Join a virtual meeting with the people who are making these laws in California.

If you don’t live in California, you can still help!

• Share this article with someone who lives in California.
• Consider introducing a bill like this in your state, and contact AAFA about your interest.