Virginia Senate advances bill for enhanced food allergy awareness in restaurants

The Health Subcommittee of the Virginia State Senate convened on February 11, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 1350, aimed at enhancing food allergy awareness and safety practices across the Commonwealth. The meeting began with an introduction to the bill, which was inspired by a constituent's personal experience with food allergies affecting their children. The bill seeks to improve safety for individuals with food allergies by mandating that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) post a food allergy notice on its website in English and the six most spoken languages in the state. This notice will outline procedures for restaurant staff to follow when a customer reports a food allergy, including prevention of cross-contact and emergency response actions.

Key provisions of the bill require restaurants to display this notice in areas accessible to employees and to include food allergy notifications on menus. Additionally, restaurants will need to provide a method for customers to indicate any allergies. The bill is designed to formalize and standardize best practices already being implemented by many restaurants in Virginia, ensuring that staff are trained to handle food allergies properly and that customers can communicate their needs effectively.

Several supporters of the bill spoke during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of food allergy awareness. Alex Sprague expressed his support, highlighting the need for smoother dining experiences for those with allergies. Jenna Reimann Schneider, representing the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, noted that over 20 million Americans live with life-threatening food allergies, and many families experience social isolation due to these challenges. She pointed out that Virginia has been a leader in food allergy safety, having passed significant legislation in the past, and urged the committee to support SB 1350 as a continuation of this leadership.

Grace Tramakas, a Loudoun County resident and mother of two children with severe food allergies, shared a personal and harrowing account of her son's anaphylactic reaction after consuming a beverage that contained allergens. Her testimony underscored the critical need for increased awareness and training in restaurants to prevent such incidents. She argued that the proposed measures would not only protect individuals with allergies but also enhance the overall dining experience for families, encouraging them to support local restaurants.

The meeting concluded without any opposition to the bill, and the subcommittee members expressed their appreciation for the testimonies shared. The discussions highlighted a collective commitment to improving food safety and protecting the health of Virginians with food allergies. The next steps for the bill will involve further deliberation and potential voting in upcoming sessions.