Don't Feed the Fear: Food Allergy Anxiety & Trauma
Welcome to "Don't Feed the Fear," where licensed psychologist Dr. Amanda Whitehouse offers expert guidance on managing the social and emotional challenges of food allergies and related conditions. Tune in for compassionate advice, practical strategies, and inspiring stories to help you navigate anxiety and trauma with confidence and resilience.
For more info on resources from Dr. Whitehouse, go to www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com
Theme song: The Doghouse by Kyle Dine, www.kyledine.com
Used with permission from the artist
Don't Feed the Fear: Food Allergy Anxiety & Trauma
Changing Menus to Save Lives: Robyn and Addie Lao and CA SB 68 ADDE
Season 4's theme is "I Don't Want to Talk About It."
Today, Robyn and Addie Lao and I are talking about it and we hope you'll do more than listen. We hope you'll take action.
Mother-daughter advocates Robyn and Addie are the driving force behind California’s proposed Senate Bill 68 Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE), alongside the bill’s sponsor, Senator Caroline Menjivar.
💔 At a time when so many of us in the food allergy community are feeling confused, disappointed, or discouraged by the lack of support for this bill from FARE, our largest national advocacy organization… this conversation couldn’t be more timely or more important.
We talk about what it’s like to be connected to the food allergy community through advocacy. What it’s like to be so close to change — and still feel resistance. What it’s like to keep going and turn that resistance into more momentum.
And why clear, consistent allergen labeling in restaurants is not just possible — but urgently needed.
👂 Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about legislation, transparency, and what it means when our community leads from within.
✨ This episode is a reminder that sometimes the hardest conversations…
are the ones that move us forward the most.
When you're done listening, please take action via the links below:
addie tells all | food allergy
SB 68: Major food allergens. | Digital Democracy
Contact FARE and let them know we want their support for this bill, and the amendments they promised are needed ASAP: Contact Us - FoodAllergy.org
Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme
www.kyledine.com
You can find Dr. Whitehouse at thefoodallergypsychologist.com and on Instagram (@thefoodallergypsychologist) and Facebook (Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist)
Email: welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com
it'll make such a big impact with, me. Millions of other kids have food allergies and their parents. so make it so much easier for the parents and, the kids will feel so much safer, when they dine out at restaurants. Yeah, 4 million people in California are affected. And that number is just rising, in the last decade tripled, the amount of people with food allergies
Speaker:Welcome to the Don't Feed the Fear podcast, where we dive into the complex world of food allergy anxiety. I'm your host, Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, food allergy anxiety psychologist and food allergy mom. Whether you're dealing with allergies yourself or supporting someone who is, join us for an empathetic and informative journey toward food allergy calm and confidence..
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Robyn and Addie, thank you so much for joining me here on Don't Feed The Fear. I'm so excited that you, two powerhouses took the time to sit down and talk with me about something so important. I.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Thank you so much. This is wonderful.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:So I think everybody kind of already knows what's going on, at least if they're listening to my podcast. But just in case someone catches this after the fact or who doesn't know, tell us what the two of you have been working so hard on. Please. I.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Um, we're on a avail. Um, SB 68 A DDE, stands for allergen disclosure and dining spirits. and it'll have restaurants label the top nine allergens on their menus.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:All right, so your name is Addie. A-D-D-I-E. Right. Did you have to do some work to find a name of a bill that you could make sort of almost match your name?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, the center's office helped with that.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Awesome. I mean, you absolutely deserve after all of this work, to have it named after you. Right. From what I understand other places already have been doing this for a very long time. Right. Restaurant menus have the top allergens, clearly labeled correct.
Addie and Robyn Lao:We looked at some recent publications and it's interesting, in the US only about 9%, and this is in 2021, actually do have good labeling so far. So yes, there are some of our favorite restaurants that we can dine safely at because there is labeling. but many unfortunately, have incomplete labeling, or don't have any allergy information at all, which is why this is so important so that people can dine allergy safe.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:And I will you tell us in your words, from a kid, your age and your perspective, what would life be like? If this were the law, I.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Um, I think I would feel so much safer, dining out if this would be a law because I would know actually what I was, I would be eating Yeah. And other adults don't have to worry about their kids.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Right. And I, I'm glad you said the word safe because I think some people who don't understand food allergies, they think it's just, oh, it's, it's a pain, it's an inconvenience. Or maybe you don't have as many choices, but it's actually about your safety. Have you ever had any issues with that, like where there were some safety concerns because there wasn't labeled?
Addie and Robyn Lao:One of the instances happened when she was probably only two, so she may not remember. but we had went, gone to a restaurant, you know, had the conversation with the wait staff naming all of her allergens, which currently is dairy tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame. At the time we ordered a hash brown and they said, oh yeah, that should be fine. it hit our table. She started eating it already'cause she's two obviously. And then, when I spoke with the waitress one more time, I said, oh, just double checking. This doesn't have peanut oil or anything, right? And she says, oh, yes it does. And I'm like, oh my God. so I of course panicked, got her EpiPen out. goodness I called her allergist at the same time, who made sure that we checked it was unrefined or refined peanut oil. so luckily it was refined, meaning all the. Peanut allergen trigger proteins, were actually taken out. So she actually was safe. but. Absolutely in near Miss event. Absolutely. Labeling would've helped in that instance. I think off the bat when we asked the wait staff, you know, they didn't think about the oils or the different things. and even when they double checked, you know, potentially that wasn't communicated with the chef. So anyways, I think a lot of these instances can be avoided. we just, just yesterday went to a wonderful restaurant that had labeling. They actually had an allergen binder. and we actually almost ordered. Mac and cheese'cause it was a vegan restaurant, so obviously dairy free. and they said they used coconut for the base and not tree nuts, but there was a hidden allergen of sesame oil, which we caught because of the good labeling they had. and when we talked to the person when we were ordering, was like, I have no idea, but here's the binder.'cause he didn't know off the top of his head any of the allergens. Right. And so in a fast food kind of setting, there's not a chef that you can really speak to. Right. And so. It made it very safe and we, we were able to catch that and avoid a near miss,
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:It's such a good example because despite our best efforts to communicate clearly, we can't communicate every possible area where it might lie. And really can we expect every server and restaurant staff in the entire nation to understand food allergies? we're still learning it decades in as parents. Right. So on both ends, it seems like there's a lot of room for error that could be so easily eliminated with, with this bill, with Addie's Law.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, a hundred
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:what are you allergic to?
Addie and Robyn Lao:I'm allergic to dairy, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame. When she was little, we made a song so she would remember.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:oh, what a great idea. Will you tell us about that? I think parents would love to hear that.
Addie and Robyn Lao:I don't actually remember it. We did, yeah. She was little in preschool then, and I just made it to like a little tune and she would just remember because it was so hard for it in case no one ever asked, you know, when she went to school. we did little things like tags on her backpack. I made a QR code that they could scan with her information in case things like that. That just
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Wow.
Addie and Robyn Lao:with communication.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:So this is not your first out of the box thinking as an allergy parent, it sounds like. That's really creative that you did that.
Addie and Robyn Lao:It helps that I'm a nurse practitioner, so I take care of, um, pediatric surgery patients. So obviously not an allergy, but I think this has been super eye-opening for me as a provider as well. just learning chronic illness management. I.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Absolutely. Well, and how did you make that decision then to take it beyond managing it in your daily life to tackling the loss?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, it was definitely a kind of incremental steps, so, you know. and off, not sure if you remember like FARE used to do the, thing in DC and so Addie was interested with that. she had started, being a red sneakers for Oakley Ambassador did a schoolwide assembly on her own, which was fantastic. Last year in May I. really wanted to kinda do more. so she heard about that in DC We tried to go, we couldn't make it happen. but I'm actually the legislative chair for our kind of local chapter that I started for pediatric nurse practitioners. It's called NAPNAP, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. So, I'm the Sacramento chapter past president and legislative chair currently. And because we live in Sacramento, in the capital of California, we were able to organize a DF capital. So I learned how to do that. Set up meetings with centers, assembly members offices. And Addie saw me doing this and she's like, oh, well I wanna join, I wanna do this. And so I was like, oh my gosh, what a great idea. Let's do this for food allergy. and there was this little blurb on one of the assembly members website that said. Do you have any ideas? Like, this should be a law. And I'm like, oh, I didn't even realize you can do that, you know, and propose something. So it was kind of all these little steps that kind of moved us forward. And so did our D at the capital, we brought our little two pager proposal, and ended up meeting Senator Menjivar's office, that decided to help author the bill. So.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:That's great. It pays to make connections with other people who have food allergies. Right. I understand that. That's why the receptivity was there.
Addie and Robyn Lao:A hundred percent. Yeah. And initially we didn't know that she had food allergies herself, so it was actually kind of happenstance. she was on the Senate Health Committee, had experience in the past as a paramedic, so we thought, oh, you know, reading her bio that this might be a good alignment.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Addie, how many of those steps have you been able to be involved with? Because I imagine it's like a lot of meetings, a lot of people talking but what did you get to do?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Um, so first we, um, me and mom went to the capitol and we introduced the bill. So we wa so we went from senate, from office to office, talking to senate aids, and Addie had her own spiel too, that she would start with, so she would definitely participate in all the meetings. I introduced my name, my allergies, and I pretty much introduced why I want this bill to be a law.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Mm-hmm. And how did people respond, especially to someone your age talking about something so big and important.
Addie and Robyn Lao:they were pretty receptive. Yeah.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah.
Addie and Robyn Lao:some even shared that they had food allergies themselves, or knew of a family member.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Right. Which is bound to happen because so many people have'em. Right?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Mm-hmm.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay, so what happened next?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Well then, um, Menjivar decides to take on the bill and authored it. so then we had to go again to the Capitol to, um, persuade the senate, the, Senate Health Committee, Senator Senate Health Committee to, support our bail. Mm-hmm.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay,
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah. So we went back in February during her. Little February week off of school. So it actually worked out well.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:good timing.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah,
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:learning a lot about the legislative process along the way, even though that wasn't the goal. Right. This is like a big educational process for you too.
Addie and Robyn Lao:yeah.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:And mom too. I think most of us,
Addie and Robyn Lao:Oh yeah. And then, my third visit was when, I testified. and that time I had my whole class come with me.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:I saw the pictures of that. What did that feel like to have all of them there supporting you?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Um, I felt really proud that, um, all my classmates had come to support me and cheer me on,
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Was that part the school day? Did everyone went together and took a field trip
Addie and Robyn Lao:yeah. Yeah. And they gotta meet with people too. Yeah. So they would go to, the offices too, and they, would have their little, um, they would have a few lines to talk to the aide.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:About the topic and about your law. So what kinds of things would they say different from what you were sharing? I.
Addie and Robyn Lao:main, yeah. They would share a menu that didn't have. Any labeling and they would ask the aide to try to figure out like which ones of them had soy, which one them, which ones
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Oh,
Addie and Robyn Lao:them had nuts and you had no idea because there are no labeling.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:how would you know pop quiz for them? Right? Whose idea was that?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Uh, yeah. Alexa. Yeah, as Alexa. And she's our AAFA advocacy coordinator. So she helped with that, which was a great idea. It was brilliant.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah,
Addie and Robyn Lao:did it. She went to the class the day before kind of gave them a little prep meeting, um, and helped make posters.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:I saw some of those posters and it just looked like it was such a community effort. Like it feels so good to be supported in something. Doesn't matter. Awesome. So, I know there was recently a town hall with FARE, which is our advocacy organization, and a lot of people are having a lot of feelings about that. So Addie, were you able to attend? I know it was during school day hours.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, she, was unfortunately not able to attend, nor I was undecided if I wanted her to be there anyways. But, I think it was good to hear from the community, we had over a hundred people in attendance. We're still waiting for the recording, unfortunately. but really what I'm hoping is that FARE will choose to do the right thing, and withdraw their opposition. I think what was said was that they wanted to provide amendments, which we are still waiting for. so Sung Poblete did email me that afternoon after the town hall, and I responded asking for the amendment so we can meet and I have not heard back. So unfortunately, you know, with the legislative process, there are timelines not made by us, but by the process itself to move things along.'cause she herself said that she wanted the bill to pass this year, which is wonderful. So do we. and so for that to happen, you know, we do need amendments in by the first week of May.'cause we do have our senate appropriations coming forward, and we're gonna get that decision by the end of May if we can move forward past that committee.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay. And for those listening, we're recording this on April 21st, 2025. I'll hope to have this episode out tomorrow, the 22nd, but The first week of May is not far off from what we're talking about here. This is really, Crunch time. Do you have any indication whether it was during the town hall or in separate communication, other than kind of saying we could do better, was the message that I got, what are the amendments in reference to
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, it's actually unclear. and I'd asked that question in the chat during the town hall, but didn't get a clear response, so they, she just kept referencing amendments and so we are interested to hear what those are, um, because. Initially fair and CRA did meet with the Senate's office in February and their initial ask was to cancel the bill. And so that's what they asked of the senator. And in response, the senator asked if they could bring forward amendments.'cause we were open to collaboration. The senator's office has been open the entire time. they followed up two more times, in March and, and, I don't have the exact dates.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:That's okay.
Addie and Robyn Lao:the last time they followed up. And. Still hadn't heard back. Unfortunately, all we did hear back was the letter of opposition. So this whole time we have been waiting for amendments and we continue to wait for those. But I'm unclear what those amendments are and if they're feasible. But we're happy to have a discussion, and hoping they will withdraw their opposition if they in fact are supportive of menu labeling, which they state they are.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Right, right. Do you want to speak to the piece of what we've learned about them working with the. App, the, the electronic, approach to this and how you think that plays into the decision.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, good question. So, you know, they referenced every bite, which I'm not too familiar, but it is a platform or an app that helps with menu labeling, I believe. that restaurants can basically use this platform to type in their recipes and then users be able to search their allergens and, get information on what is safe for them.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:As the bill is written and stands right now, can you tell us more about what it's asking? What you know people are saying the burden that is placing on restaurant owners, so what is it actually asking of them?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, so it's definitely asking for what the meal contains, so top nine allergens. If any of the meals contain the top nine. So we're not talking about cross contact, we're just talking about if it indeed contains that. It states clearly, on the menu. what, what the meal contains. I know there have been questions about precautionary labeling, even for packaged goods currently that is not yet mandated, so that's still voluntary, which we felt that because it's still voluntary for packaged foods, we couldn't ask that for non packaged foods at this time.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Right, right,
Addie and Robyn Lao:obviously our first stepping stone, right? To
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:right. I think it speaks to what many of us in the community feel there. There's a lot of room for growth in all of our laws, but we're still glad that those laws exist as they stand now, even though they're not ideal at the moment. Right. I think that's the spirit with any of this.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Um, and I think FARE's point was they wanted to look more towards, you know, advanced ideas of using, you know, these app platforms, et cetera, which we are open to, but I think we have to start with, you know, unfortunately what the UK and the EU have had in place for the last 10 years, which is just simple labeling.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:And is, is it that simple? Just it's, they're required to do what you just described. Label the top allergens if they're contained in the meal, on the menu that's handed to you at the restaurant.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Correct. That's what we're asking for.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay. How long has that been in place? In the eu.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, since 2014,
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay. So it's doable. I think it's important for people to under, for small restaurants to say, we could do this. This is doable. Right?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah. So at the town hall, Brian Ham, one of, he's a food allergy father, and he unfortunately lost his son, one of his sons, um, food allergies. So he spoke up and he's a small business restaurant owner with Vitality Bowls and he said, absolutely, this is something we can do. Um, and you know, you said, put it on your menu. Don't wait. We need to save lives. So, know, I think it's really important. And to hear it from him as a restaurant owner himself is so powerful.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Absolutely, nobody wants to take on liability these days. So if they can further protect themselves, it seems like it would be in everyone's best interest, even if it's, it's a change. People just don't like change. They resist it.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah. And with this bill, there's no increased liability to restaurants. I think that's a concern of CRA. Um, but when we spoke with some lawyers. it sounded like there's no increased liability at all. If anything, it's shared now with the customer now that it's disclosed.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Right and reduced risk, I would think we
Addie and Robyn Lao:percent, There's actually, um, literature out there. It's so interesting. 2021, there's a journal article that was published by the American College of Asthma, allergy and Immunology, and they actually use the FARE database. Information for this study, but they showed that, you know, it went from 53% risk of reactions with just verbal conversations about allergens with the wait staff. That number went all the way down to 13% after menu labeling and verbal communication. So, you know, obviously FARE had stated before false sense of security, but. food allergy parents, food allergy patients, they're gonna have those verbal conversations and still double check. And that's still very, very necessary. This just starts the conversation with good information. Right. And so, um, the data, shows that this is gonna decrease reaction rates. That was part of how we kind of thought about this bill initially is Addie had a wonderful experience at a, a dumpling restaurant. we're Chinese, so we went to a restaurant, which oftentimes there's not very good labeling for kind of Asian restaurants. Right. And Sesame, unfortunately is very hard, um, because
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:have s in my house too. My son's been begging me for dumplings and.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yes. So I actually learned how to make them myself for home. But you know, we always wanted her to join in at, at restaurants. So, um, this one restaurant had a wonderful grid, top nine. Um, and then we were able to find out, oh, great, the one with chicken, not with pork, doesn't have sesame. Um, and when we ordered, they have it on their ordering device. All the ingredients listed to double check, they check again with the chef. We just went again two nights ago, um, to this restaurant and. Amazing. Like she was able to eat with us together for Mother's Day, and I literally cried at the table. I'm like, this is so remarkable that labeling can really open the doors.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah.
Addie and Robyn Lao:a really safe experience. So this is what we wanted for the food allergy community.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah. Addie, can you tell us what that was like? Mom, teared up, it was so emotional for her, how is it for you?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Did you love it? And yeah, I felt excited that we had that, for me, and I think I should be feeling that for every restaurant so I can dine safely.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Absolutely. What are people saying to you when you're sharing, you're doing so much advocating for the law, what's the feedback that the two of you are getting from kids and from adults and other parents? I.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Definitely people are telling us, you know, we definitely need this. Thank you so much for the good work. I think they're really excited, because they understand, this is something that will change their lives and really save lives. You know, being in healthcare, we're all about. A culture of safety. Addie knows I'm kind of a paranoid mom because I deal with trauma. I've worked in the pediatric ICU in the past. I've seen a lot of terrible things. And unfortunately a lot of it is preventable, you know? And so that's why we have seatbelt laws, helmet laws, you know, things like that, right? And so this is just one of those things. We wanna change the culture of food safety.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Exactly. I think that's such a good point. We look at all these other things. I, I think of MADD, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Organization made so much change in our country about something that was so preventable, and we have to take action and we have to speak up for what we want. And I, I have so much respect for you along those lines of what you're doing for all of our kids and all of us, adults too. Would you say kind of what you're hearing back from other folks after the FARE Town Hall and what their reaction was or kind of what responses you're getting.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, I think there was a lot of shock. You know, I don't, I think when the fair opposition letter came out, obviously. was very shocked. Um, but I don't think the food allergy community knew about that quite yet until the hearing happened. Um, and then posted obviously, and just, it coming out more to the public. I think a lot of it is the sentiment of Wow FARE should be representing the food allergy community. They are our advocacy group.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Mm-hmm.
Addie and Robyn Lao:and how have they turned their back, their backs on us, so. I'm really hoping that that can be corrected, that they will come along.'cause I think it's really needed. but we do have over 35 organizations that have signed on to support. It's a really community driven bill, so we have, you know, a thousand individuals that signed on for the bill. Separately. We had over 25 individual support, letters of allergy patients, mothers telling their own story of why this is needed. Um. just had the American Nurse Association, Cal in California, sign on, the American College of Asthma. Allergy Immunology. There's definitely a lot of support for this. and I think, the blessing in disguise with all of this coming out is that more people know about the bill now to want to support further.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Absolutely. I was thinking the same thing and I was wondering, Addie, are you on social media? Do you have any social media accounts? You do. I mean, I follow your account. Is it you? Is it, do you help with that?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah. She sees what I'm posting. Yeah, but mostly it's mom that's monitoring.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:I figured. I figured. But do you know, do you get to see how excited everybody is about what you're doing and like everybody knows who you are? Everybody in food allergies is like"Go Addie!". It's not just your classroom with posters. It's all of us.
Addie and Robyn Lao:That's amazing.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Do you know that? Do you get, do you hear, get to hear any of it or read any of it?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, sometimes, um, look down at the comments like, um, you'll see, people like go, Addie.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:That's how excited we all are about you and everything you're doing, and obviously it's so powerful to have a face to put with, the law and, and all of the change that we've all wanted for so long,
Addie and Robyn Lao:So exciting. I know we're so honored because really Addie and I are pretty new to food allergy advocacy, right. And so all the people that we used to follow and we still follow of course, um, you know, Elijah LA Foundation, allergy Strong. Like they are just coming out to help support us, which has been amazing for us.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah. Well, for the people who are listening, I mean, I know some of those amazing organizations, many of them are on your side. For the folks who are your everyday allergy community, people, I. What can they do? What else can they do at this point where the law is to help support and move forward and push through some of what feels like resistance from from fair? I.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, absolutely. So if they live in California, they have to be California residents for this piece. but if they wanna join me, in meetings with the Senate offices, May 12th is when I'll be doing that next, and that can be virtual. Um, so virtual or in person if you happen to live near Sacramento. Um, but if you don't, virtual is definitely an option. We're working on setting up those meetings now. Um, because after it passes, Senate Appropriations Committee would go to the Senate floor. Um, and so we definitely need help. There's a lot of meetings that we'll have to be doing. Um, and with Assembly side in mind too, we may start also offering some meetings there too. So there's a signup link on our website. Addie tells all, that you can sign up there then if you are not a California resident or that day doesn't work, um, that's okay too. We, we really want restaurants. businesses, any organization it all means so, so much. I think really showing the community support is so important. we know there's one organization that's currently not there yet, but it doesn't matter. We have a lot of others that are in support and we would love that to, be official and have them sign on to the joint letter with AAFA so there's another link on our website as well if you wanna sign on for that outreach effort. We can definitely share information and links that can be sent to their organizations and friends. Think widely what your connections are, to kind of help with that. And organizations don't have to be just California based. So in any national organizations, if there's a, group that thinks this is important and wants to sign on, super important for that to happen as well. So, you know, I think it's just. So meaningful to community, right? And so what the legislative offices wanna see is that support behind it. So it really helps to have them sign on to these letters. and if there are restaurants that you know, people frequent and you know, that have wonderful labeling or are really food allergy friendly, go there and ask them. I think that's all really helpful of like. Featuring them, giving them kudos, making sure they know we appreciate it, and then asking them to sign on to support since they're already doing some of this.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Right, and because I think the businesses who are doing it have learned that once they get our business, we are loyal, repeat. Spend, buy all the things, order everything on the menu customers, because it's such a treat, right?
Addie and Robyn Lao:A hundred percent. And you know, the reason why we're doing this is so we can dine out, right? Like we want to be part of that dining out community. We want to be out there and support businesses. So I think this is gonna be a really a win-win in the end.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:And I think that is an important point a lot of us have been having. Very complicated emotional responses to, to the opposition from FARE. what can happen is when we feel that feeling of surprise, or I think some people have used the word betrayal. I don't wanna speak for you, but we put a lot of faith and time and, and money toward, fundraising and all the things that we do. So when we feel that sense of betrayal, our nervous system shuts down. We wanna give up. I know you're not giving up,. So give us more hope. Things are still on track as far as moving forward with the meetings and hearings. What else needs to happen next? Senate appropriations is next correct.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Mm-hmm. So, yeah, so even with the letters of opposition from California Restaurant Association and FARE, we did pass successfully through the Senate Health Committee 11 to zero. Um, so that was just an overall majority vote, which was amazing. Our next step is the Senate Appropriations Committee, which looks at the financial impact of the bill. so that's currently in process basically by May 23rd. We should know if that passes or not. And then it moves on to the Senate floor, which is that first week in June. they don't set the exact date yet until as it comes closer. Um, but that first week in June, we'll know if we pass the Senate or not to move forward to the assembly side.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay.
Addie and Robyn Lao:the assembly side, you know, if people wanna come in person, just like they saw with the Senate Health Committee, that's that next opportunity. So that's, where there's gonna be testimony in-person support opportunities. And that will be probably around June, july, late June, July time for the Senate, assembly Health Committee. Sorry. that's where that would be really impactful. so obviously those dates will be marked out later. Um, but then it goes to assembly. Appropriations after that assembly floor. Um, and then we should know if it reaches the governor's office September, October. So really the last kinda dates for a bill to become a law. This cycle for this year would be that first week in October.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:For this, this next step for the Senate Appropriation Committee, the amendments have to be finalized at that step. Am I understanding correctly?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Good questions. So we want the amendments to be in by this Senate appropriations that's when really the amendments, need to go in, Really by May 2nd, because you know, in the legislative process. to go through, right? It has to be reviewed, legislative council, et cetera. It has to be entered by correct timing before, it can't be right before they vote. It has to be so that committee has time to review it, et cetera. So, you know, there's this whole process, there's a timeline. Um, and so we're really hoping to move forward.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Addie, what else do you wanna tell us about why you think this law matters and we should all keep supporting you to keep pushing it forward?
Addie and Robyn Lao:I think, that you should keep pushing it forward because it'll make such a big impact with, me. Millions of other kids have food allergies and their parents. so make it so much easier for the parents and, the kids will feel so much safer, um, when they dine out at restaurants.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:I agree and we all want kids to be safer and adults. I think a lot of us forget, there are millions of adults who have food allergies too, who there haven't, hasn't been as much advocacy in their lifetimes and they're used to just dealing with it on their own and not having so much support and, and resources and options adults deserve it too. Right.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah, 4 million people in California are affected. And that number is just rising, in the last decade tripled, the amount of people with food allergies.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:I like to ask everybody who comes on the podcast, Tell me something awesome about food allergies.
Addie and Robyn Lao:you know, it's so, so interesting that this has brought us to this point where we're making so many new friends in the food outage community. I mean, I think the support has been so outstanding that it's just, it's really wonderful. You know, it's kind of been this passion project of ours that now has become this bill that I can't even believe how far we've come and just how far we're gonna be going with this. so it's really exciting, to know how connected we are. the community.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Thank you for doing all that for the community. We're all eager to back you. What about you, Addie?
Addie and Robyn Lao:I think that, with all this legislation, I'm learning more about the legislative process, making spill,
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah, and Robin, I'm sure you'll agree, all of us as food allergy parents, watch our kids and whatever comes to you in your life that you have to tackle makes each and every one of you and us as parents so much stronger. So Addie, you're learning about the law do you think you might wanna do something with that someday? Or do you have other ideas for your future?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah. Tell her what you wanna be. I be an allergist when I grow up.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:oh my gosh, you're gonna have so many patients. Everyone's gonna wanna bring you, like the laws are gonna all be named after you, like my doctor. So cool.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Addie's been so resilient with this, during COVID that's when we started her little YouTube project, just because we, I never learned how to cook. kind of growing up and so needing to kind of learn how to make safe foods for Addie, we kind of did it together looking at Pinterest recipes and then we wanted to remember how to make certain things. So we started making little videos and then we're like, oh yeah, we should just post this so other people can use them. So it's kind of been this little journey of ours. she just made a little Easter treat Lemon bar recipe recently,
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Really?
Addie and Robyn Lao:still doing that for fun, but it's, it's something that we've kind of grown together
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah. And you called it a little journey, but it's not so little anymore. It got very big.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:So I, I asked my son who has allergies every time I have an interview what he wants me to ask, because, he's the reason that I'm doing all of this. I promised him I would figure out how to make him dumplings. What is the best recipe? Peanut tree nut, sesame. And I know you know, sesame is the hardest thing to avoid, so tell me what to do.
Addie and Robyn Lao:We have a, we have a YouTube video. Yeah.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:All right. And what's the YouTube channel?
Addie and Robyn Lao:Addie tells all
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:it's, that's the name of the YouTube channel too. Okay.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yep.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:go,
Addie and Robyn Lao:loves pot stickers and dumplings. That's her favorite food. So.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:I'm sure that everybody in our house will too, once I take the time to figure that out. What else are you hoping to share
Addie and Robyn Lao:people who are interested in supporting to reference our website and clicking on those links so that we can keep in touch and stay organized. and opportunities like this, this is so important, thank you for letting us use your platform. To help get the word out. And I would encourage anyone who wants to help tell at least five to 10 people,'cause it's all about connections, all about building our community of supporters and really helping move that forward.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Okay. Tell someone, sign up, share this, send this, get the word out. Absolutely. Do you have any other thoughts? Addie, for the last words,
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah. I want, kids with allergies like me to know that even though that we're small, we can still make a difference.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Absolutely. Thank you for making a difference for you and for everyone in California, and I'm all the way in New York, but I know that Everyone is energetic and motivated by what you're doing, so thank you for doing that because I know it's not just gonna be California. This is gonna change the way food allergies are handled in our country. Can you feel that
Addie and Robyn Lao:Yeah.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:it's coming right? Big change is coming.
Addie and Robyn Lao:California started with nutrition labeling and brought it to the rest of the us so I'm hoping the same for this.
Dr. Amanda Whitehouse:Yeah. Thank you on our behalf for everything that you're doing, for all of us.
Addie and Robyn Lao:Thank you so much. This is awesome.
you don't need me to list action steps for you today. Robin and Addie did that perfectly. So check the show notes if you need the links, and take action and share with anyone and everyone you can, especially the connections and people that you might know in California. Thanks for listening. the content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions about your own medical experience or mental health needs, please consult a professional. I'm Dr. Amanda White house. Thanks for joining me. And until we chat again, remember don't feed the fear.
