{"id":961,"date":"2022-08-08T01:35:38","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T05:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aafa.org\/?page_id=961"},"modified":"2025-10-07T14:20:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T18:20:43","slug":"food-allergies-in-child-care-settings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aafa.org\/advocacy\/key-issues\/food-allergies-advocacy\/food-allergies-in-child-care-settings\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Allergies in Child Care Settings"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Advocacy<\/h2>\n

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Food Allergies in Child Care<\/h2>\n

Food allergies affect about one in 13 children in the United States \u2013 a number that has been growing. Anaphylaxis<\/a> is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and properly. Because there is no cure for food allergies, awareness and preparedness are key for protecting health and saving lives, especially in a child care setting.<\/p>\n

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AAFA supports the adoption of Elijah\u2019s Law across the country. In 2022, AAFA partnered with the Elijah-Alavi Foundation (EAF) to publish Child Care Policies for Food Allergy: Elijah\u2019s Law Report for U.S. States and Territories<\/a>. The report includes two parts: a review of state-level policies protecting children with food allergies in child care programs, and a toolkit for advocates to support Elijah\u2019s Law in new states.<\/p>\n

What Is Elijah\u2019s Law?<\/h3>\n

On November 3, 2017, 3-year-old Elijah Silvera died after having a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) at his preschool facility. Even though the preschool had documentation of Elijah\u2019s life-threatening milk allergy, asthma, and other allergies, the facility fed Elijah a grilled cheese sandwich. The facility then failed to follow emergency protocols to treat anaphylaxis.<\/p>\n

Elijah\u2019s Law is a bill that ensures child care facilities take concrete steps to manage food allergies for the children in their care. Such steps include developing emergency protocols, strategies for discussing food allergies with children, and plans for preventing exposure to food allergy triggers.<\/p>\n

On September 12, 2019, New York was the first state to sign Elijah\u2019s Law into law. It requires New York child care programs to follow guidelines for preventing and responding to severe food allergy reactions. As of February 2022, the law has also been passed in Illinois, and introduced in California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.<\/p>\n

About the Report<\/h3>\n

The purpose of Child Care Policies for Food Allergy: Elijah\u2019s Law Report for U.S. States and Territories<\/a> is to support the adoption of Elijah\u2019s Law in more states. It is our hope that with this report, advocates, legislators (lawmakers), and other leaders will better understand state-level gaps in child care protections and take necessary measures to advocate for Elijah\u2019s Law across the country.<\/p>\n

The full report includes:<\/p>\n