Topic: Step-by-step guide to achieving ADDE Act compliance under California SB-68.
Why it matters: Different operation types—from single-location restaurants to large contract caterers—handle supplier data, recipes, and menus differently. This impacts allergen tracking and compliance readiness.
Key action: Assign responsibility for ingredient data, automate updates where possible, and ensure every menu has a verifiable allergen record.
Ensuring ADDE Act compliance means tracking allergen data from suppliers to recipes to published menus. SB-68 mandates allergen disclosure for restaurant chains under federal menu labeling. Aligning procurement, culinary, and marketing teams builds a sustainable system for ongoing compliance.
How the ADDE Act compliance chain differs by operation type
| Operation Type | Compliance Focus | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single-site restaurant | Manual tracking of recipes and allergen updates. | Chef keeps printed ingredient specs and updates allergen lists monthly. |
| Multi-site group | Centralized allergen database feeding multiple menu formats. | Shared digital allergen matrix ensures consistent disclosure chain-wide. |
| Contract catering or institutional foodservice | Complex supply networks and site-level customization. | Allergen data integrates into menu planning software for event-specific labeling. |
| National restaurant chain | Automated, system-driven allergen management. | Supplier data syncs with recipe management platforms to auto-update menus and QR labels. |
Designing your own ADDE Act compliance workflow
- Start with data ownership: Define who owns ingredient data, approves recipes, and manages menu updates.
- Automate triggers: A supplier reformulation should alert culinary teams and prevent outdated menus from being published.
- Standardize evidence: Each site should maintain a clear allergen trace — supplier spec → recipe → menu matrix.
- Audit readiness: Store versioned allergen matrices with date and time stamps for all active menus.
From data to diner: an ADDE Act compliance example
Here’s how a mid-size regional chain can streamline its allergen compliance process:
- Purchasing uploads a new sesame-containing bun specification, which triggers an alert to the culinary team.
- The culinary team confirms the recipe allergen update, automatically flagging affected menu items.
- Menu data regenerates with updated allergen details, refreshing printed and QR menus overnight.
- Managers verify allergen booklets the next morning and record compliance in the verification log.
Context: California Senate Bill 68 (ADDE Act) mandates written allergen disclosure 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). For internal guidance, see our Resources page and Contact Us page.
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