Protections for Children with Food Allergies

Full Title:
Strengthening Protections for Children with Food Allergies Act

Summary#

This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require training and information about food allergies for certain child nutrition personnel and to add WIC education activities for people affected by food allergies. Training must cover preventing, recognizing, and responding to allergic reactions, including administering epinephrine with FDA-approved delivery systems for severe reactions. Training must also cover how to communicate allergen information on menus and recipes, how to avoid cross-contact, and how to make appropriate food substitutions. The training must be available in relevant non-English languages and alternative formats for people with disabilities, and it must be made available to staff in related child nutrition programs such as the special milk program, summer food service program, and child and adult care food program. The bill also requires the Secretary to develop WIC nutrition education materials on food allergies, submit those materials to the Department of Health and Human Services for comment, include evidence-based findings from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans about food allergies and potentially allergenic foods, and publish and disseminate the materials. The WIC materials must also be provided in relevant languages and alternative formats, and outreach to eligible people impacted by food allergies is required.

What it means for you#

  • Staff who work in school and other child nutrition programs may receive new or updated training about food allergies and how to respond to severe reactions, including epinephrine use.
  • Training resources must be available in other languages and accessible formats for people with disabilities.
  • Personnel in other child nutrition programs (special milk, summer food service, child and adult care food programs) may access the training.
  • People who get WIC services may see new nutrition education materials on food allergies for pregnant and postpartum people, infants with prenatal exposure concerns, and children with food allergies.
  • The bill requires outreach to people who are eligible for WIC or state training programs and who are affected by food allergies.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the training provisions.
  • The bill authorizes $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to carry out the WIC education activities.
  • No publicly available information on costs beyond the specific authorized appropriations in the bill.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.