About the bill
The ADINA Act, formally known as the Allergen Disclosure In Non-food Articles Act, is more than just a piece of federal legislation—it’s a lifeline for the millions of Americans, including families like mine, who navigate the daily challenges of living with severe allergies. This bill mandates the clear labeling of top food allergens and gluten-containing grains in all over-the-counter and prescription medications, ensuring that everyone, regardless of where they live or what they believe, has access to the critical information needed to protect their health and well-being.
Sparked by the terrifying experience our family had during the summer of 2022, and later hearing countless similar stories from individuals across this nation, The Adina Act addresses a fundamental gap in our consumer protection laws. We ask ourselves: If packaged food products are required to clearly label allergens to prevent life-threatening reactions, why isn’t the same standard applied to the medications we trust with our lives? This bill is a common-sense solution that transcends party lines, uniting us in a shared commitment to transparency, safety, and the well-being of our communities.
Whether you’re a parent, a healthcare provider, or someone committed to upholding the safety of all Americans, The Adina Act is a necessary step toward a future where everyone can have confidence in the products they rely on every day.
The story behind the bill
It's not just a name... Meet our daughter, Adina.
Like millions of Americans, Adina lives with a dairy allergy, Celiac Disease, and Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). For Adina, this means that she must strictly avoid all dairy and gluten, as even trace amounts can have severe medical consequences for her. Her life revolves around careful planning and a mindfulness anyone in the food allergy community can relate to, from the food she eats to the products she uses and more
How did it come about?
In the summer of 2022, Adina, who was 11 years old at the time, was blissfully enjoying her summer at the same sleepaway camp she’s attended for years. Camp is her happy place. It’s somewhere she can feel like any other child, surrounded by friends and nature. But this time, something went horribly wrong. Adina came down with strep throat, a common illness easily treated with antibiotics. However, the antibiotic she was given, unknowingly contained an undisclosed potential allergen. Not long after taking the medication, Adina began experiencing a severe adverse reaction, with symptoms consistent with being cross-contaminated by one of her allergens.
I will never forget the terrifying phone call I received at 2 a.m. Camp medical staff said her heart rate had dropped to 70/40 and she wasn’t stable enough to remain at camp… then asked if I wanted her to be transported to the hospital by a staffer or ambulance, and let me know the hospital capable of providing the level of care she needed was an hour away from them. It wasn’t a question of IF they should take her, it was how they were getting her there. Adina’s camp is in rural Wisconsin, hours away from our home in the Minneapolis suburbs. Terrified, after hanging up the phone I immediately grabbed the car keys and ran out the door headed to meet her at the hospital.
I couldn’t stop thinking how worried I was and how preventable this could have been with clear allergen labeling. This event was a stark reminder that even with all the precautions we take, the absence of clear labeling on medications leaves families like ours vulnerable. As a mother, my primary goal is to protect my child. The Adina Act is born out of that deep, unwavering commitment to ensure no other family has to experience the fear of an unexpected, and completely preventable allergic reaction. This bill is not just about labels; it’s about lives. It’s about giving parents, individuals, and caregivers the tools they need to stay safe.
Federal legislation introduced.
In the aftermath, we reached out the pharmaceutical manufacturer to try and gain information on what was in the medication she took, that could have caused this reaction. Not only did they refuse to disclose any information to us as the customer and we had to involve our Pediatrician, but it took weeks for them to even tell us they were refusing to confirm or deny if it contained any of Adina’s allergens at all.
In that moment we knew something had to change. We immediately started reaching out to our elected officials, determined to prevent other families from experiencing the same terror we just had. Our efforts led to the introduction of The Adina Act (HR 4263/ S 2073) in June of 2023, named after our brave daughter, who has faced these challenges with a strength that inspires us every day.
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