SB 68: What California Restaurant Operators Need to Know
California Senate Bill 68 requires restaurant chains with 20 or more locations to disclose nine major allergens across all menus by July 1, 2026.
Jul 1, 2026
Deadline
20+
Locations
9
Allergens
What is SB 68?
SB 68, officially the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (ADDE Act), is a California law signed on October 13, 2025. It amends Section 113820.5 and adds Section 114093.5 to the California Health and Safety Code.
California is the first U.S. state to mandate allergen disclosure on restaurant menus. Covered food facilities must provide written disclosure of nine major food allergens for every standard menu item. Penalties range from $500–$2,500 per violation; repeat offenses can put operating permits at risk.
The law at a glance
Official name
Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (ADDE Act)
California code
Health and Safety Code §114093.5
Signed into law
October 13, 2025
Compliance deadline
July 1, 2026
Applies to
Food facilities with 20+ locations worldwide, same name, substantially the same menu, at least one California location
Allergens covered
Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame
Penalties
$500–$2,500 per violation; repeat offenses can risk permits
Exemptions
Compact mobile food operations, nonpermanent food facilities, prepackaged foods subject to federal labeling
Does SB 68 apply to your restaurant?
SB 68 applies when all of the following are true:
- The brand operates 20 or more locations worldwide.
- Locations operate under the same name and offer substantially the same menu.
- At least one location is in California.
This includes franchise systems. Franchisees in California count toward the brand total. Multi-concept groups should evaluate each brand separately.
Independents with fewer than 20 locations, food trucks, temporary setups, and items already federally labeled as packaged retail foods are generally exempt.
Not sure where you land?
Take the 60-second SB 68 quiz →What SB 68 requires, by channel
Disclosure must appear everywhere guests encounter your standard menu, not only on paper.
- Printed menus
- Written disclosure immediately below or adjacent to each item, using the common allergen name or standardized pictograms.
- Menu boards & drive-thru
- Same rules apply. Disclosure must be legible where guests order.
- Websites, apps & kiosks
- Allergen disclosure on every digital ordering surface, including your site, branded app, and in-store kiosks.
- QR code menus
- Allowed if the QR links to allergen information. You must also offer a non-digital alternative (chart, booklet, or allergen-specific menu) for guests who cannot access digital content.
- Third-party ordering
- Standard menu items must show allergen disclosure on those platforms too.
The nine major allergens under SB 68
Restaurants must disclose the presence of these allergens for every standard menu item, using the common name or standardized pictograms.
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
How to prepare for compliance
- Audit your menu. Map every standard item to the nine major allergens using recipes, supplier data, and cross-contact risk.
- Centralize ingredient data so every location reflects the same allergen picture.
- Choose how disclosure appears on each surface (print, digital, QR) and prepare the required written alternative if you use digital-only paths.
- Define a change process for menu updates, seasonal items, and supplier swaps so disclosures stay current.
- Keep records of analysis, approvals, and publish dates to support audits and inspections.
How Alervio supports SB 68
How each requirement maps to what our platform delivers.
Identify allergens per menu item
Ingest POS and supplier data, label allergens, and let operators confirm or edit before go-live.
Digital menu disclosure
Host your allergen-labeled menu on a dedicated page (e.g. alervio.com/restaurants/yourbrand).
QR access in-store
Generate QR codes that open your hosted allergen menu on any device.
Alternative written format
Export a printable PDF allergen menu for guests who need a non-digital option.
Guest-friendly experience
Guests filter by their allergens to see what they can order, going beyond the minimum disclosure requirement.
Documentation & accountability
Timestamped records for labeling, operator confirmation, and when changes went live.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to common operator questions about SB 68.
When does SB 68 take effect?▾
SB 68 takes effect on July 1, 2026. Covered restaurants must have allergen disclosures in place across all menus and ordering channels by that date.
Does SB 68 apply to franchise restaurants?▾
Yes. If the restaurant brand has 20 or more locations worldwide and at least one location operates in California, franchisees under that brand must comply, regardless of individual ownership or location.
What are the nine allergens that must be disclosed under SB 68?▾
Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.
What happens if my restaurant does not comply with SB 68?▾
Penalties range from $500 to $2,500 per violation. Repeat offenses can put your operating permit at risk.
Can I use QR codes instead of printing allergens on every menu?▾
Yes, but you must also provide an alternative written format (such as a printed allergen chart, booklet, or separate allergen menu) for guests who cannot access digital content.
Does SB 68 apply to food trucks?▾
No. Compact mobile food operations and nonpermanent food facilities are exempt from SB 68.
Does SB 68 apply to prepackaged food?▾
No. Prepackaged foods already subject to federal labeling under FALCPA and the FASTER Act are exempt.
Does SB 68 require restaurants to train staff on allergens?▾
SB 68 does not mandate specific staff training. Accurate disclosure still depends on staff understanding ingredients, preparation, and cross-contact risks, so operators should align training with their disclosure process.
How do I prove compliance to an inspector?▾
Maintain documented records of allergen analysis, operator confirmation of labels, and when disclosures were updated. A timestamped audit trail demonstrates a serious compliance posture.
What is the difference between SB 68 and federal food allergen labeling?▾
Federal law requires allergen labeling on packaged food products. SB 68 extends allergen disclosure requirements to restaurant menus. California is the first U.S. state to do so for covered chains.
Ready to move on SB 68?
Tell us about your concept and locations. We'll follow up with a tailored compliance conversation. Or email sb68@alervio.com directly.
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This page summarizes publicly available information about California SB 68 and the ADDE Act. It is not legal advice. Confirm requirements with qualified counsel and your insurers for your specific operation.