Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act of 2025

This bill would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to add food allergy training to the mandatory annual training that school food service personnel must complete. Currently, the Department of Agriculture requires school lunch program workers to receive training on nutrition and food safety standards, but food allergy training is optional. Under this bill, food allergy training would become a required component, ensuring that school cafeteria staff learn best practices for preventing, recognizing, and responding to food-related allergic reactions. Workers would also need to demonstrate competence in this training as part of their certification.

The bill addresses a significant public health concern, as approximately six million children in the United States have food allergies, meaning roughly two students per classroom may be affected. The legislation has received support from major health organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and the Food Allergy Research and Education organization. By ensuring that school food service staff are properly trained, the bill aims to help prevent serious allergic reactions and potentially save lives in school settings.