Menu allergen transparency is gaining traction in the United States. Three states are considering new bills that would require restaurants and fast-food operators to provide written notification of major allergens in all menu items.
The action follows California’s lead. The state broke ground in October 2025 when the ADDE Act (SB 68) became law, mandating that large chain restaurants list major food allergens on menus.
The bills on the table in Michigan, New Jersey and Maryland are similar, but go even further. They propose the allergen transparency requirements for all their state’s restaurants.
The ADDE Act was inspired by 9-year-old Addie Lao, a young advocate with multiple food allergies who wanted to be able to dine out safely. Personal experiences are also driving the menu bill efforts in the next three states.
In fact, New Jersey teen Mishika Jain brought the idea of menu transparency legislation to her own state lawmaker after advocating for the California law. “I realized how much of an impact it would have here in New Jersey,” Mishika, who’s 16, tells Allergic Living.
Restaurant meals have triggered several allergic reactions for the teen, despite staff assuring her that allergens were not ingredients in dishes. She thinks menus that disclose top allergens would make a big difference to keeping her safe when dining out.
Menu Allergen Bills Brewing
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) was at the forefront of efforts to push the ADDE Act to success. The allergy nonprofit rallied the community to write letters and lobby for the legislation.
Now, AAFA is taking its advocacy to other states to help advocate for and, in some cases, help to draft restaurant allergen transparency bills.
“AAFA has been working on restaurant menu labeling bills in multiple states across the country over the past several months,” says AAFA’s manager of policy and advocacy Alexa Jordan. “We are excited to see policymakers take up the cause of menu labeling.”
Allergic Living looks at the new individual state bills in Michigan, New Jersey and Maryland. We include what the lawmakers propose, who inspired each bill and, importantly, how readers can take part in the lobbying efforts.
Michigan Bill: Restaurants to Buffet Bars
In Michigan, the proposed House Bill 5402 would require restaurants to list major food allergens contained in any menu item. It would also apply to any food service establishments that serve unpackaged food.
The bill says ingredient notification can be presented electronically or physically. It could include brochures, deli case or menu notifications, placards and more.
“People deserve clear, consistent information before making food choices,” Michigan state Representative Brenda Carter tells Allergic Living. “My hope is that this bill protects individuals, helps families make informed decisions, and empowers consumers through transparency.”
Carter introduced the bill in the Michigan House in December 2025 to amend Section 6101 of the state’s Food Law. The bill has been referred to the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee.
A constituent who had suffered an allergic reaction after eating out inspired the lawmaker to author the bill. Carter says restaurant employees accidentally misinformed the diner about the ingredients in a menu item.
“For many families, especially those with children managing severe allergies, eating outside the home can feel risky rather than routine,” she says.
Beyond restaurants, Carter notes that Michigan’s HB 5402 would mandate that top allergens are clearly disclosed anywhere unpackaged food is prepared and sold to the public. For example, food establishments such as delis or supermarket buffet bars also would be included.
“My role as a legislator is to translate real-world concerns into clear, workable law,” Carter says. If passed, the law would go into effect six months after it is enacted.
New Jersey Bill: Information, Not Avoidance
When teen Mishika Jain pointed out the need for legislation requiring allergen disclosure on menus in New Jersey, Senator Patrick Diegnan Jr. agreed. “Anything we can do to make things safer, we should do,” Diegnan, whose granddaughter has a peanut allergy, tells Allergic Living.
Diegnan introduced Senate Bill 3394 on February 9, 2026. The bill requires any food service business to provide written notification of major food allergens in every menu item.
The allergen information must be provided on the physical menu, or in a digital format, such as a QR code to the online menu. It can also be provided in a written chart or booklet.
“Sen. Diegnan has been incredibly supportive of this bill, recognizing the importance of disclosure for both customers and businesses,” says Mishika of Holmdel, New Jersey.
She is allergic to cashew, pistachio and coconut. Before undergoing oral immunotherapy (OIT), she was also severely allergic to wheat, egg, soy, oatmeal, barley and peanuts.
“Requiring clear allergen disclosure on restaurant menus ensures that more New Jersey residents can enjoy a safe and stress-free dining experience, rather than avoiding dining out,” Mishika says.
The bill’s labeling requirements would also apply to any food service business. That includes delis, coffee shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, food trucks, business cafeterias and movie theaters.
The bill was referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. If passed, S 3394 would take effect a year after enactment.
Maryland Bill: Helping Avoid Reactions
The lawmaker who introduced an allergen menu bill in Maryland knows firsthand what it’s like dining out with food allergies without clear menu information. State delegate Jamila Woods introduced House Bill 181 on January 14, 2026. She is allergic to wheat, soy, eggs, walnuts, avocados and bananas.
“Food allergy transparency is a public health issue, not a niche concern,” Woods tells Allergic Living. “No one should have to rely on guesswork or verbal assurances when their health is at stake.”
HB 181 mandates that all restaurants provide written notification of any of the major allergens contained in menu items. The information can be displayed on menus, or in a digital format, such as a QR code that links to the online menu. Other acceptable notifications include a separate allergy menu, chart or booklet.
Maryland Delegate Linda Foley had introduced a similar allergen disclosure bill, but has merged it with HB 181 and is working alongside Woods. A teen inspired Foley to get involved in this cause.
“We are particularly appreciative of Skye Cushing, a student in my district, who brought this issue to our attention,” Foley says.
Skye, who’s 17, describes reaching out to Foley in the spring of 2025. She says it was after “yet another bad experience at a restaurant where misinformation about ingredients caused me to have an allergic reaction.”
Now, the teen is collaborating with Foley and Woods, along with AAFA, to advocate for HB 181. The bill is currently in the state House Health committee. If enacted, the law would take effect on October 1, 2026.
Experience Drives Advocacy
Skye, who is allergic to eggs, fish, tree nuts, and peanuts has experienced multiple allergic reactions to restaurant food, and she blames inaccurate allergen information.
For example, the teen from North Potomac, Maryland recalls a friend’s birthday brunch. After a 15-minute discussion with the server, chef and kitchen staff, she was assured that a breakfast burrito was free of her allergens.
However, after a small bite of her meal, Skye started experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction. Her throat became itchy and she felt an unbearable stomachache, forcing her to leave.
“Because of the misinformation I received regarding the burrito’s ingredients, I missed out on celebrating my friend’s birthday,” Skye says. “This could have been totally avoided if restaurants were mandated to label allergens on their menus.”
In New Jersey, the mom of 7-year-old Willa, is hopeful the proposed legislation in her state would help to keep her daughter safe. Alexus Laubenheimer has received unreliable and varied staff replies about allergens during attempts to dine out with Willa, who is allergic to eggs and tree nuts.
Before hearing of the new bill, the mom had started a petition urging that state restaurants be required to provide written allergen menu information. Laubenheimer plans to continue advocating for the proposed legislation through sharing her family’s story.
“Eating out with food allergies has become exhausting and honestly scary,” Laubenheimer says. “Dining out should not feel like a gamble for families like ours.”
Allergic Voices Matter
The personal experiences of food-allergic diners will be key to the success of menu transparency legislation. “What makes these things resonate is when people tell their personal stories, just like Mishika did for me,” Diegnan says.
After countless attempts to dine out that resulted in reactions because of inaccurate allergen information, family restaurant outings became a source of anxiety for Mishika. She started bringing her own food to restaurants.
Mishika shared her personal experiences while writing to businesses and meeting with representatives in California, to gain their support for the ADDE Act. Now she is ready to urge New Jersey lawmakers to support S 3394. “I am extremely hopeful that this bill will eventually be passed and will help create a safer dining experience while boosting business,” she says.
In Maryland, Skye took her personal story to the state House for a February Health committee hearing on HB 181. “Testifying at the capital was extremely exciting,” Skye says. She was surrounded by family and friends, along with AAFA advocates, and Delegates Foley and Woods.
“Hearing directly from constituents about how this issue affects their daily lives is one of the most powerful ways to build understanding and momentum around this bill,” Woods says.
Allergy Advocates: How to Help
As the bills in Michigan, New Jersey and Maryland move through the committee process, input from stakeholders and public testimony will be considered. The lawmakers sponsoring the proposed legislation need members of the food allergy community to make their voices heard.
Readers can share their food allergy experiences, contact state lawmakers to express support, and participate in public testimony as opportunities arise, says Michigan lawmaker Carter. “Hearing directly from affected families strengthens thoughtful, people-centered policymaking,” she says.
Carter says she welcomes collaboration with advocacy groups and “anyone committed to improving food-allergy safety” to get the legislation to the governor’s desk. AAFA’s Jordan calls the Michigan legislation “a great example of the momentum allergen labeling in restaurants is gaining in the U.S.”
AAFA’s advocacy team also offers guidance and information to anyone who would like to advocate for allergen menu labeling, Jordan says. In Maryland, AAFA has released a call to action with a templated letter that takes minutes to send.
“People interested in working on making food allergen labeling a reality in their state should reach out to AAFA’s advocacy team to find out how to get involved,” Jordan says.
Carter wants other lawmakers to understand that food allergies are a serious public health concern.
“Ultimately, it’s about safety, dignity, and building trust between food establishments and the communities they serve,” she says.
Related Reading:
Advocates Celebrate as California’s ADDE Menu Act Becomes Law
NY Law Brings Allergen Labeling to Deli, Bakery Packaged Foods
