California restaurants to start listing food allergens on menus

Friends food and a view at the new Seaport Village anchor restaurant Shorebird File photo by Drew Sitton Times of San Diego California will become the first state in the nation requiring restaurants to list major food allergens on their menus starting in under a new law The law Gov Gavin Newsom signed Monday applies to businesses with at least locations They will have to disclose ingredients including milk eggs shellfish and tree nuts when they know or reasonably should know that they are in their products California state Sen Caroline Menjivar a Democrat declared the bill was inspired in part by her own experiences living with severe allergies to a great number of nuts and fruits Soon the millions of Californians with food allergies multiple of whom are young children will be able to fully enjoy dining out without fear or apprehension at these qualifying restaurants she announced when the bill passed in the Legislature In turn these businesses will be able to offer allergen families a unique additional assurance that will drive customers to their establishments But the California Restaurant Association has reported previously the law will be costly and burdensome for businesses The group mentioned it is pleased the bill no longer applies to small restaurants but is concerned the act could lead to predatory lawsuits against businesses We continue to assess the impacts to those members of ours still subject to the proposed law and are working with them to determine if a change in position is warranted CEO Jot Condie declared in a report The nonprofit Food Allergy Research and Tuition declared the bill is not perfect but it is a meaningful step to protect people with food allergies Addie Lao a child with severe allergies who advocated for the bill mentioned previously that it would make it easier for her to eat out with friends and family I have to avoid the foods I m allergic to since it s like poison to my body and can harm me she explained at a legislative hearing in April