Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act Knowledge Hub

Tag: Ingredients

  • Thanksgiving in U.S. Restaurants: Traditions, Trends & Allergen-Safe Menus

    Thanksgiving in U.S. Restaurants: Traditions, Trends & Allergen-Safe Menus

    Thanksgiving in U.S. Food Service: Tradition, Trends & Allergen Risks

    Serve a Safe, Stress-Free Thanksgiving for Foodservice: Keep Guests Happy and Sales High

    Did you know that 91% of Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?

    For foodservice operators, this presents a prime opportunity to cater to families looking for convenience, quality, and festive meals. Use Thanksgiving as a strategic moment. Special holiday menus, catering, or takeaway packages can boost revenue while meeting growing consumer demand for convenience and quality.

    Foodservice teams should be trained to manage guest allergens, especially if new menu items are being added

    Classic Thanksgiving Menu: What to Expect in Restaurants

    Top dishes remain traditional favorites: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie. Main courses typically include turkey (87%) and ham (39%), while popular sides include stuffing (68%), mashed potatoes (60%), mac & cheese (42%), sweet potatoes (42%), green beans (41%), and cranberry sauce (39%).

    Most people drive to Thanksgiving celebrations (89%!) making takeaway and delivery options very appealing to hungry travellers. Offering special menus, holiday packages, or a la carte sides helps operators respond to this demand.

    Allergen Risks to Watch for on a Thanksgiving Menu

    While allergens must be carefully managed year-round, holidays like Thanksgiving can present additional risks for foodservice operators, especially when introducing new menu items or modifying traditional recipes — making it essential to know which allergens to monitor.

    The table below shows some common allergens to look out for on a Thanksgiving dinner –
    Thanksgiving Dish Likely Allergens
    Roast Turkey & Gravy Wheat (gravy), Milk (butter, cream), Soy (bouillon)
    Stuffing / Dressing Wheat (bread), Eggs, Milk, Tree Nuts (if added)
    Mashed Potatoes Milk, Butter
    Green Bean Casserole Milk (cream soup), Soy (soy-based soup), Wheat (breadcrumbs)
    Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie Eggs, Milk, Tree Nuts (pecans), Wheat (crust)
    Sweet Potato Casserole Milk (butter/cream), Nuts (pecans/walnuts)

    Automating allergen mismatch checks between ingredient data and menu recipes ensures accuracy, especially when holiday recipes may vary or specials are added. This protects both operators and guests.

    Planning for Thanksgiving Food Service Success

    Effective planning can help operators meet demand, protect guests, and make the most of the holiday period. Here are some suggestions for a successful Thanksgiving service –

    Action Details / Benefits
    Create a Holiday Menu Bundle Offer a Thanksgiving “family feast” for pickup or delivery — combining turkey, sides, and dessert. Ensure allergens are clearly listed and users can search for foods that meet their requirements.
    Promote Early Ordering Encourage customers to pre-order to reduce last-minute pressure and minimize food waste.
    Offer Allergen-Friendly Options Provide gluten-free stuffing, nut-free desserts, or dairy-free mashed potatoes to serve more guests safely.
    Use Data for Demand Forecasting Analyze past Thanksgiving sales to optimize staffing, procurement, and inventory.
    Train Staff Ensure servers and kitchen teams are aware of allergens — holiday stress is high, but allergen awareness must remain firm.
    Highlight Festive Specials & Promotions Use social media, newsletters, or in-store signage to showcase limited-time Thanksgiving dishes and bundles, driving early orders.
    Streamline Pickup & Delivery Logistics Implement clear time slots, packaging, and labeling to ensure meals arrive fresh and on time.
    Cross-Sell or Upsell Holiday Items Encourage add-ons such as desserts, drinks, or appetizers with holiday bundles to increase average order value.
    Monitor Ingredient Availability Secure key ingredients in advance and identify substitutes in case of shortages.
    Leverage Digital Menu & Food Data Systems Ensure menus, nutrition info, and allergens are accurate across all channels, including online ordering platforms.
    Plan Staffing Carefully Consider temporary staff or adjusted shifts to manage high volume efficiently, especially for delivery, pickup, and catering orders.
    Collect Feedback & Measure Performance Track sales trends, customer feedback, and allergen incidents to refine next year’s holiday strategy.

    By understanding trends, menu preferences, and allergen risks, operators can maximise revenue, ensure guest safety, and deliver a memorable Thanksgiving experience.

    Have a great Thanksgiving!

    Set Your Thanksgiving Strategy Today

    Get tools, menu templates, and allergen-management frameworks designed for Thanksgiving volume. Be ready to delight guests — and protect them.

    Talk to an Expert Download Holiday Planning Resources
  • ADDE Act Compliance: Managing Allergens Across Multi-Location Restaurants

    ADDE Act Compliance: Managing Allergens Across Multi-Location Restaurants

    Managing Allergens Across Multi-Location Restaurants in California

    Managing Allergens Across Multi-Location Restaurants in California

    For restaurant chains, franchises, and multi-location operators in California, allergen management is a year-round compliance and safety priority. Launching new menu items, updating recipes, or introducing seasonal specials can increase risk if allergen data is inconsistent between locations. Effective allergen governance protects guests and ensures legal compliance under SB-68 and the ADDE Act.

    Why Centralized Allergen Management Matters

    Allergen information must be consistent across corporate, franchise, and digital menus. Discrepancies between locations or between printed and digital menus can lead to compliance violations, operational inefficiencies, and potential customer harm. Centralized management simplifies updates, ensures accurate communication, and reduces operational risk while improving confidence in staff and guest safety.

    Example: Multi-Location Menu Allergen Tracking

    Menu Item Ingredients / Components Potential Allergens
    Grilled Chicken Sandwich Bun, Chicken, Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato Wheat, Eggs, Soy
    Vegan Burrito Tortilla, Beans, Rice, Vegetables, Guacamole Wheat, Soy
    Caesar Salad Lettuce, Dressing, Croutons, Parmesan Eggs, Milk, Wheat, Fish
    Almond-Crusted Fish Fish, Almonds, Egg Wash, Seasoning Tree Nuts, Eggs, Fish
    Spaghetti Bolognese Pasta, Meat Sauce Wheat, Eggs, Milk

    Steps for Effective Multi-Location Allergen Management

    • Centralize Allergen Data
      Maintain a single, up-to-date database of ingredients, derivatives, and allergen information accessible across all locations, including digital and printed menus.
    • Standardize Ingredient Names
      Use clear, consistent naming conventions for allergens (e.g., “Milk” instead of “Dairy”) to prevent miscommunication and ensure menus match POS and supplier data.
    • Validate New Menu Items
      Conduct allergen checks for every new dish or seasonal special. Cross-reference digital recipe management tools, supplier specifications, and manual oversight to ensure accuracy before launch.
    • Staff Training and Role-Specific Guidance
      Train all front-of-house and kitchen staff on allergen handling, cross-contact prevention, and customer communication. Provide refresher courses, location-specific guides, and SOPs to reduce errors during high-volume periods.
    • Regular Audits and Monitoring
      Schedule periodic audits at all locations to verify menu accuracy, POS data, and printed materials. Identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions immediately.
    • Automate Updates Where Possible
      Integrate supplier feeds, recipe management systems, and POS menus to update allergen data in real-time, ensuring consistency and reducing manual workload.

    Simplify Chain-Wide Allergen Management

    Digital allergen management systems help operators update menus across all locations in real-time, ensuring compliance, consistency, and guest safety.

    Talk to an Expert Access Resources

    Context: The Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act applies to restaurant chains with 20 or more U.S. locations and requires public allergen disclosure by July 1, 2026. Administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

  • Managing Vendor Allergen Changes Without Full System Integration

    Managing Supplier Allergen Changes Without Full System Integration

    The Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act requires restaurant chains with 20 or more U.S. locations to disclose allergens accurately and maintain verifiable records by July 1, 2026.

    While digital integrations simplify compliance, most supplier updates still arrive via email or PDF. Manual data doesn’t mean non-compliance — it just means your workflow must be structured and traceable.

    Vendor allergen change workflow

    This workflow supports SB-68 readiness for any operator — whether you manage a single site or hundreds of locations — and ensures every allergen change is logged, reviewed, and verifiable.

    Step Action Outcome
    1. Capture Updates Create a dedicated inbox (e.g., suppliers@brand.com) or shared drive for all allergen updates and specification sheets. Centralizes incoming data and prevents missed communications.
    2. Log the Change Use a simple tracking sheet noting date, product, allergen change, and a link to the source document. Provides a verifiable trail that satisfies ADDE audit expectations.
    3. Review Affected Recipes Cross-check updated ingredients weekly against your recipe database to flag impacted menu items. Maintains accuracy across digital menus, printed menus, and delivery platforms.
    4. Update Menus Revise allergen disclosures immediately and include a version number or “updated on” date for traceability. Shows inspectors that changes are controlled and documented in real time.
    5. Archive Evidence Save updated menus and allergen logs by date (e.g., “Menu_Allergens_2025-10-12”). Creates an audit-ready history demonstrating due diligence and accuracy.

    Strengthening supplier accountability

    Compliance is a shared responsibility between operators and suppliers. Even without automation, you can standardize supplier communication to improve data quality and reduce error risk.

    Supplier Communication Focus Best Practice Compliance Impact
    Standardized Allergen Declarations Provide suppliers with a one-page allergen template listing the nine major allergens for every product. Ensures consistency and prevents misinterpretation from unstructured PDFs or emails.
    Change Notifications Require suppliers to clearly mark allergen changes in bold, with the date of effect. Eliminates confusion about which version is active and when updates apply.
    Quarterly Re-validation Send each supplier a quarterly summary of current allergen data for confirmation. Detects discrepancies early and reinforces continuous verification.
    Pro insight: Inspectors care most about whether allergen data is current, traceable, and defensible. While a fully automated digital system automates the process, is lower maintenance and reduces risk, once you can show records that are clear, timestamped and version-controlled this can also demonstrate sufficient control.

    Context: SB-68 compliance hinges on the phrase “reasonably should know.” A documented allergen-update routine proves that your organization has systems in place to identify and disclose new allergen risks promptly — even when data arrives manually.

    Stay compliant — even without full integration

    Access expert templates and checklists to help you log supplier allergen updates, track menu impacts, and prepare for SB-68 inspections.

    Ask your question to an expert Download compliance tools See official legislation