H.R. 10228: Strengthening Protections for Children with Food Allergies Act

This bill would change federal child nutrition law to add more food allergy training, education, and outreach in programs that serve children and families.

Food allergy training for school and child nutrition staff

The bill would require federal food allergy training to cover practical steps for:

• preventing, recognizing, and responding to food allergy reactions;
• using epinephrine in FDA-approved delivery systems during severe reactions such as anaphylaxis;
• communicating allergen information in school menus, food products, and recipes;
• avoiding cross-contact between allergenic and non-allergenic foods; and
• making appropriate food substitutions for children with food allergies.

The training would also have to be made available in other languages for people with limited English proficiency and in alternative formats for people with disabilities. In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture would have to make the training available to personnel in other child nutrition programs, including the Special Milk Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The bill would authorize $1 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out these training changes.

WIC-related food allergy education and outreach

The bill would also direct the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and share nutrition education materials for people affected by food allergies under WIC-related programs. These materials would need to:

• reflect evidence-based findings from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans about food allergies and potentially allergenic foods;
• include information for pregnant and postpartum individuals with food allergies;
• address infants affected by food allergy exposure before birth; and
• address children with food allergies.

These materials would also have to be available in other languages and alternative formats when needed. The Secretary would be required to do outreach to people who may be eligible for WIC or related state training programs and who are impacted by food allergies.

The bill would authorize $1 million for fiscal year 2027 for these WIC-related activities.

Other technical changes

The bill also makes some technical updates to numbering and references in the Child Nutrition Act to fit the new provisions into the existing law.

Relevant Companies

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