The California Allergen Disclosure Law (SB-68, ADDE Act) makes menu accuracy non-negotiable. Even a single supplier recipe change can make your allergen disclosures outdated. Automated supplier alerts are the most effective safeguard against these hidden compliance risks.

Without automated updates, ingredient changes can slip through procurement or R&D unnoticed — leaving printed and digital menus misaligned with actual ingredients. That exposes operators to inspection failures, reputational harm, and, most importantly, customer risk.

Why Supplier Alerts Matter

• Continuous accuracy
  Ingredient specifications can change frequently — new suppliers, reformulations, or substitutions. Automated alerts ensure your allergen database always reflects current supplier data.
• Faster compliance checks
  Real-time notifications allow QA teams to verify allergen updates before they affect menu disclosures.
• Traceability and audit readiness
  Automated change logs provide documentation showing you monitored and responded to allergen updates proactively — key for health inspectors and legal defensibility.

Setting Up Automated Workflows

The ideal workflow connects supplier data directly to your menu management or labeling platform. When a supplier updates an ingredient specification, your system flags the change automatically and prompts review.

• Supplier data integrations
  Link your supplier portals, PLM, or ERP systems to your allergen database using APIs or automated imports.
• Change detection rules
  Configure triggers that identify when allergen fields or ingredient components change — not just when a new product is added.
• Notification settings
  Direct alerts to both QA and menu teams, ensuring no change goes unreviewed before menus are updated.
• Automated versioning
  Maintain historical versions of ingredient data so you can trace which allergen declarations applied at any given time.

Best Practice Checklist

• Centralize allergen data
  Store all supplier data in one verified source that feeds directly into your menu management system.
• Automate high-risk ingredient alerts
  Flag ingredients frequently reformulated — such as sauces, spice blends, or bakery items.
• Schedule regular syncs
  Even with automation, weekly validation checks prevent data drift between systems.
• Document every action
  Maintain digital audit logs showing when an allergen alert was received, reviewed, and resolved.

From Compliance to Continuous Accuracy

By setting up automated supplier alerts early, operators demonstrate proactive allergen management and build trust through data integrity. It’s not just compliance — it’s operational assurance.

You want to be able to say…

“Our allergen data is updated automatically through verified supplier feeds — ensuring menus stay accurate, compliant, and trustworthy.”

Context: The ADDE Act (SB-68) amends Sections 113820.5 and 114093.5 of the California Health & Safety Code, mandating allergen disclosures for restaurant chains with 20 or more locations by July 2026.