California’s Allergen Disclosure Law
California’s Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (ADDE / Senate Bill 68) takes effect on 1 July 2026. It requires foodservice operators with 20+ locations to disclose nine major allergens on their menus — improving guest safety and transparency across the industry.
Major Allergens
Months to Deadline
Menus Updated by July
Does Your Business Need to Disclose Allergens?
Answer these questions to check if your California food business must comply with the ADDE Act (SB-68) by July 1, 2026.
Everything You Need to Know
Key information for food businesses under the ADDE Act (SB-68).
- What is the ADDE Act?
- Do I Need to Show Allergens?
- Key Deadlines
- What Allergens Must be Shown on Menus?
- How to Show Allergens
- What Businesses Are Exempt
- Enforcement and Penalties
- How to Comply
What is the ADDE Act (SB-68)?
The California Senate Bill 68 (ADDE Act) makes written allergen disclosure mandatory for restaurant chains with 20 or more locations by July 2026. It amends Section 113820.5 and adds Section 114093.5 to the California Health and Safety Code (HSC).
- Purpose: Improve safety for consumers with food allergies.
- Requirement: Disclosure of 9 allergens.
Do I Need to Show Allergens?
Businesses covered are generally chain restaurants with 20+ locations. Smaller independent restaurants and mobile food vendors are typically exempt. Take the short survey below to see if your business needs to show allergens.
Does Your Business Need to Disclose Allergens?
Answer these questions to check if your California food business must comply with the ADDE Act (SB-68) by July 1, 2026.
Key Deadlines
All covered businesses must implement allergen disclosure systems by July 1, 2026. Allergen systems take time to set up and optimize, start as soon as possible to give your teams as much time as possible.
What Allergens Must be Shown on Menus?
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean Shellfish
- Tree Nuts
- Wheat
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Sesame
How to Show Allergens
- On Menu: Written statement next to the item.
- Digital Format: QR code linking to digital menu.
- Digital Screens: Legible allergen info on menu boards.
- Alternative Written Method: Physical chart or booklet on request.
What Businesses Are Exempt
- Mobile food carts
- Temporary stalls at events
- Pre-packaged foods with federal labeling
- Independent restaurants (<20 locations)
Enforcement and Penalties
- Fines: $500–$2,500 for violations; repeat offenses can risk permits.
- Reputation: Non-disclosure risks lawsuits, negative publicity, and lost revenue.
How to Comply
- Inventory ingredients and label allergens correctly
- Track allergen info in a centralized system
- Train staff on allergen handling and communication
- Display allergens clearly on all menus and displays
- Provide easy access for customer inquiries
- Review menus and logs regularly
- Monitor compliance and update processes as needed