On January 1st, 2023, FASTER, the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act, recognized sesame as the ninth major food allergen and required it to be labeled as such on all packaged foods. However, this has caused many major manufacturers to add sesame to products that didn't previously contain it, making it unsafe and potentially life-threatening for consumers with sesame allergies. "With approximately 32 million Americans living with food allergies, it's

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., where H.R. 1178, a bill that would add alpha-gal to federal allergen labeling requirements, is currently under consideration. On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, H.R. 1178, also known as the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act, will be on the agenda of the Subcommittee on Health of the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced on September 10, 2024, by Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey’s 2nd District, this legislation would alter the Food Al

This May, Californians are encouraged to deepen their understanding of food allergies, which affect nearly 10% of the state's population. (Photo: Robert So) SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A California legislative resolution declaring May as Food Allergy Awareness Month recognizes the growing impact of food allergies, a serious and potentially life-threatening disease affecting roughly 1 in 10 residents. The measure encourages Californians to increase their understanding of food allergi

Under updated state law, schools are no longer limited to epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency treatment. (Photo: Dana Wrubel / Just Allergy Things) A new California law expanding stock epinephrine requirements in schools took effect Jan. 1, explicitly including preschools and broadening required options beyond auto-injectors to other epinephrine delivery devices, such as nasal sprays. The legislation amends SB 1266, which was passed in 2014 and required public schools to

The rule applies to foods that are prepared and packaged on the same premises before sale, and it takes effect in 2026. Grab-and-go foods packaged in-store will soon require allergen labels under New York’s new law. (Photo: Dana Wrubel / Just Allergy Things) ALBANY, N.Y. — New York will soon require allergen labels on prepackaged foods prepared on-site in delis, bakeries, grocery stores and other food establishments under a new law signed on Nov. 12 by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The

Under SB 68, California restaurant chains with 20 or more locations will be required to label menu items for the top nine major food allergens. (Photo: Dana Wrubel / Just Allergy Things) SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 68 into law on Oct. 13, 2025, marking a major step toward improving food allergy safety in California restaurants. Proposed by Senator Caroline Menjivar earlier this year, the law will take effect on July 1, 2026. Restaurant chains with over