Addie Lao is thrilled that California’s groundbreaking law for allergen labeling on menus becomes a reality on July 1, 2026. The 10-year-old namesake of the ADDE Act helped make her state the first to require written notification of major allergens in restaurant menu ingredient descriptions.
“This has been my biggest wish for a long time,” Addie tells Allergic Living. She is allergic to dairy, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame.
In fact, the ADDE (Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences) Act started with the girl’s dream to eat out more safely at restaurants. Addie had a life-changing moment when she was able to eat dumplings at a restaurant that labels for the top nine allergens. The experience fueled the desire of Addie and her mom Robyn Lao to make her dream a reality.
They worked with the bill’s sponsor California Senator Caroline Menjivar to craft and advocate for the state legislation. Menjivar, who is allergic to nuts and most fruits, introduced the allergens on menus bill in January 2025. The effort involved several committee hearings, persistent lobbying, plus rallying local and national support.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, known as SB 68, on October 13, 2025. The law requires restaurants with 20 or more locations nationally to list the top nine food allergens contained in each menu item. The written ingredient information can be displayed directly on the menu, in digital format (such as a QR code), or on a separate allergen menu.
As the law goes into effect, California restaurants will be putting the requirements into practice. “It feels so rewarding to see the fruits of our labor,” Lao says.
Milestone for Menu Transparency
Addie and her family plan to celebrate on July 1 with dinner out at a restaurant.
“We can’t wait to see more QR codes on menus directing us to allergen menus,” Addie’s mom says. Some restaurants even began implementing the changes ahead of July 1. “We have been happily surprised at recent outings to see these changes,” Lao said just ahead of the big day.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) also is excited to see the legislation in action, says Jenna Riemenschneider. She is vice president of advocacy and policy at the national nonprofit.
“Our hope is that from July 1, people with food allergies in California will notice a difference – they’ll be able to see food allergens disclosed on restaurant menus,” she says.
But Alexa Jordan cautions, “we should not get discouraged if implementation doesn’t happen overnight.” Jordan, AAFA’s former manager of advocacy and policy, advises that diners can report restaurants with menus that aren’t compliant with the ADDE Act to local health agencies and to Menjivar’s office.
AAFA was instrumental in the success of efforts to pass the legislation. The nonprofit rallied the allergy community, alongside several organizations, for support through lobbying in Sacramento, letter-writing and social media posts.
Jordan, who has severe food allergies, views the menu transparency act as a milestone. “This is a law I wish was in effect when I was Addie’s age,” she says. “And I feel lucky to have been working so closely on the legislation.”
Allergens on Menus Bill: a Coalition’s Power
Through her work for AAFA at the forefront of SB 68, Jordan learned that a bill of this scale cannot be done with just two or three advocates.
“One of the biggest successes of the ADDE effort was how Robyn rallied her local community,” she tells Allergic Living.
She points to the impact of dozens of advocates testifying for the bill in Sacramento. For one hearing, Addie’s third-grade classmates showed up in matching T-shirts to voice their support. That “made a lasting impact on those in the room,” she says.
Lao credits AAFA, Menjivar’s staff, and mentors for their guidance through the legislative process. The support of individuals, families, medical professionals, and over 80 organizations also pushed the groundbreaking legislation to success.
“Our most important lesson was the power of a coalition,” Lao says. “We couldn’t have done it alone.”
For New Jersey teen advocate Ashley Ackerman, the success of the ADDE Act “is incredibly inspiring and gives me so much hope for the future of food allergy advocacy.”
“It shows that when advocates, families, organizations, and lawmakers work together, meaningful change is possible,” Ashley says.
ADDE Act Inspires More State Bills
Now, the California law is serving as a springboard for more state allergy bills.
AAFA is already fielding interest in other states, Riemenschneider says. This year, the nonprofit is working on restaurant allergen labeling bills in Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, New York and Michigan.
“We’re hopeful states across the U.S. will see allergen labeling in restaurants as a positive step that can allow families to make informed choices when dining,” she says. “Our ultimate goal is that allergen labeling in restaurants will become the norm across the country.”
To support advocates for allergens on menus bills in other states, AAFA and the Lao family launched the AAFA Dine Allergy Safe Fund.
“With several bill efforts in multiple states, we realized more support was needed,” Lao says. “The AAFA Dine Allergy Safe Fund will fund advocacy support and the research needed to produce data needed for future advocacy efforts.” She urges others in the food allergy community to donate to the cause.
In New Jersey, Ashley Ackerman, 17, is advocating for Senate Bill 3394, which was introduced in February 2026.
The bill requires any food service business to provide written notification (on the menu or in digital format) of major food allergens in each dish. It would apply to food service businesses including delis, coffee shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, food trucks, business cafeterias and movie theaters.
Ashley is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, soy and shellfish and the creator of Allergy Pals. Through her platform, she mentors children with food allergies – and advocates for the restaurant bill.
“AAFA and the ADDE community have been incredible sources of inspiration and support,” Ashley says. “Their leadership has shown me how important it is to educate others, build relationships with lawmakers, and keep pushing forward even when progress feels slow.”
Advice for Allergens on Menus Cause
Addie and her family continued their food allergy advocacy efforts on May 30, when they brought together 150 walkers for the Sacramento Food Allergy Walk. The event raised more than $30,000 for the AAFA Dine Allergy Safe Fund.
“We hope that other states will be successful to pass a bill like SB 68 ADDE next year, but go further to apply to all restaurants,” Lao says.
Now, Lao and those who helped make the California allergens on menus law a reality are offering support and advice to others.
For example, Jordan recommends that advocates thoroughly research the bill effort in California before jumping into a new state’s campaign. “Know what you’re up against and know that it will take a whole lot of work to overcome it,” Jordan says.
The power of the bill’s sponsor in the legislature also has an impact, she says. Jordan recommends targeting a member of the health committee for food allergy bills.
Allergy Stories Impact Change
Lao says local advocates who tell their own stories and build a supportive coalition are essential. Echoing that, advocate Ashley in New Jersey is finding that her own story is powerful. She shares it when speaking with legislators, restaurants and other advocates.
Prior to this advocacy, “I never imagined that my experiences with food allergies could help influence change,” Ashley says. “By sharing your story and working with others, you can help create a safer and more inclusive world for those around you.”
To support S3394, New Jersey residents should contact their legislators about the bill and share information on social media, she says.
Readers can visit aafa.org/advocacy to find out where AAFA is working and how to get involved. Advocates also can email [email protected].
“Every conversation and show of support brings us one step closer to making dining safer for everyone living with food allergies,” Ashley says.
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Restaurant Allergen Bills Introduced in 3 States, How You Can Help
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