HARLINGEN, Texas (KVEO/KGBT) — After almost ten years of advocating for food allergy awareness, a mother’s efforts have paid off as a new law comes into effect in Texas this year.
In 2014, Sergio Alexander Lopez tragically passed away after consuming peanut butter at a restaurant in McAllen, Texas. Prior to eating, Lopez had checked with the restaurant staff to ensure that it was safe for him to eat.
Despite being reassured multiple times that there were no peanuts in his order, Lopez began to experience a tingling sensation while eating the food in front of the music academy where he worked. He called the restaurant and spoke to them about his symptoms, but they dismissed them as spices.
Ignoring his symptoms, Lopez continued eating the taco and went to work. However, he soon started grabbing his throat, stating that he had been lied to. A coworker rushed Lopez to the hospital, where he passed out before arrival.
When his mother, Belinda Vaca, reached the hospital, Lopez was in a coma with tubes all around him. Sadly, less than eight hours after consuming the taco, Lopez passed away due to anaphylaxis caused by peanuts.
In grief over the loss of her son, Vaca embarked on a mission to seek justice. She returned to the restaurant with a coworker who asked for the same taco, pretending to enjoy it. The owner admitted that the first ingredient was peanut butter.
Heartbroken by the owner’s ignorance, Vaca made the move to Austin, Texas, where she began advocating for food allergy awareness. She visited the Capitol regularly, speaking to representatives and learning about the legislative process.
After years of persistence, Vaca’s efforts paid off when Senate Bill 812, also known as the Sergio Lopez Food Allergy Awareness Act, was passed. This new law mandates that restaurants display a standardized poster with information about food allergies and how to respond to allergic reactions. It also requires food training programs to include allergy education.
Although content with this progress, Vaca plans to continue her fight for justice by pushing for a federal law in Washington, D.C., in honor of her son. She believes that food allergy awareness posters should be as commonplace as Heimlich maneuver posters in restaurants across the United States, saving lives in the process.