Learn How to Keep Your Allergen Data Accurate from Supplier to Menu
Ensuring ADDE Act compliance requires accurate tracking of allergens from suppliers, through recipes, to published menus. Aligning procurement, culinary, and marketing teams is critical to maintain compliance, reduce risk, and safeguard diners across all locations.
How the Compliance Chain Differs by Operation Type
| Operation Type | Compliance Focus | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single-site restaurant | Manual tracking of recipes and allergen updates. | Chef maintains printed ingredient specifications and updates allergen lists monthly. |
| Multi-site group | Centralized allergen database feeding multiple menus. | Shared digital allergen matrix ensures consistent disclosure chain-wide. |
| Contract catering or institutional foodservice | Complex supply networks with site-specific customisation. | 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 ADDE Act Compliance Workflow
- Start with data ownership: Assign responsibility for ingredient data, recipe approvals, and menu updates.
- Automate triggers: Supplier reformulations alert culinary teams and prevent outdated menus from being published.
- Standardise evidence: Maintain a clear allergen trace — supplier spec → recipe → menu matrix.
- Audit readiness: Keep versioned allergen matrices with date/time stamps for all active menus.
From Data to Diner: An Example
Here’s how a mid-size regional chain can streamline its allergen compliance process:
- Purchasing uploads a new sesame-containing bun specification, triggering 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) requires 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. For guidance, see our Resources page or Contact Us.
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