The American Nurses Association\California SUPPORTS 68(Menjivar) ADDE: Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences

SB_68_Sen_Approps_Apr2025 (1).pdf

Download PDF • 351KB

Apr 17, 2025  

The Honorable Anna Caballero 

Chair, Senate Appropriation Committee California  

1021 O Str., Suite 7620 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

RE: SB 68 (Menjivar) ADDE: Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences - SUPPORT

Dear Chair Caballero, 

On behalf of the American Nurses Association\California (ANA\C), we are proud to support SB 68 (Menjivar). ANA\C is a bi-partisan professional nursing organization representing the interests of  more than 500,000 licensed registered nurses in California. Our mission is to optimize nursing  contribution to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. As a state level professional advocacy organization, ANA\C has been extensively involved in legislative  efforts supporting many bills that became California’s laws and are currently assisting in making  California a place of Nursing Excellence.  

SB 68 (Menjivar) would provide universal disclosure of the top 9 food allergens on restaurant  menus, protecting the food allergy community. l will improve food safety for millions of Californians with food allergies by requiring restaurants to label the top 9 allergens on all  restaurant menus. Millions of California residents live with potentially life-threatening food  allergies (1)(2). Exposure to allergens can lead to severe reactions, including anaphylaxis and, in  rare cases, death. Because food allergies have no treatment beyond strict avoidance, access to  clear allergen information is critical. 

While federal laws have made it easier for individuals to avoid allergens in packaged foods, the  labeling of restaurant food remains a significant gap in consumer safety (3). In fact, dining in  restaurants represents the highest risk setting for food allergy reactions. Nearly 50% of reported fatal food allergy reactions are a result of food consumed from a restaurant or food  establishment, and 75% of all food allergy reactions occur in a restaurant setting (4). SB 68 would  provide critical transparency, making it easier for consumers to make safe choices and reducing  the risk of life-threatening reactions. By enacting SB 68, California would position itself as a  leader in food allergy protections, setting a critical example for other states to follow. For these  reasons, ANA\C is proud to support SB 68 (Menjivar). 

Respectfully,  

Dr. Marketa Houskova, DNP, MAIA, BA, RN  

Chief Executive Officer

References:  

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, January 26). More than a quarter of U.S.  adults and children have at least one allergy. National Center for Health Statistics. 

2 U.S. Census Bureau. (2024). National population totals and components of change: 2020-2023.  U.S.Department of Commerce. 

3 Kids With Food Allergies. (n.d.). Food allergen labeling. Kids With Food Allergies. Retrieved  February 27, 2025, from https://kidswithfoodallergies.org/living-with-food-allergies/choosing safe-foods/label-law-food-allergen-labeling-consumer-protection-act/ 

4 Radke, T. J., Brown, L. G., Faw, B., Hedeen, N., Matis, B., Perez, P., Viveiros, B., & Ripley, D.  (2017). Restaurant food allergy practices—Six selected sites, United States, 2014. Morbidity and  Mortality Weekly Report, 66(15), 404–407. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6615a2