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Allergen disclosure regulations are transforming how restaurants present menu information. Understanding these requirements helps you build compliant digital experiences.

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California SB 68 (ADDE Act)

California’s Allergen Disclosure in Dining Establishments (ADDE) Act is the most significant allergen disclosure law in the United States and a key driver for digital menu compliance.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026Signed: October 13, 2025 by Governor Gavin Newsom

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Requirements

SB 68 requires restaurants with 20 or more California locations to:
  1. Disclose the FDA Big 9 allergens for all standard menu items
  2. Provide allergen information at the point of ordering (menus, kiosks, apps)
  3. Offer alternative formats upon request (written, verbal)

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FDA Big 9 Allergens

The law requires disclosure of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA:
AllergenAPI ValueNotes
Milk/DairyDAIRYIncludes all dairy products
EggsEGGAny form of eggs
FishFISHAll fin fish species
ShellfishSHELLFISHCrustaceans and mollusks
Tree NutsTREE_NUTAlmonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.
PeanutsPEANUTGround nuts
WheatWHEATIncludes spelt and kamut
SoybeansSOYAll soy-derived ingredients
SesameSESAMESeeds and oil
The EveryBite SmartMenu API supports all FDA Big 9 allergens in the AllergenType enum, making compliance straightforward.

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Digital Compliance Options

SB 68 allows digital disclosure methods, which is where SmartMenu API excels: Digital displays must:
  • Show allergens for each menu item
  • Allow filtering by allergen (exactly what SmartMenu provides)
  • Be accessible at the point of ordering

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Official Resources

SB 68 Bill Text

Official California Legislative Information

Health & Safety Code 114094

Codified law section

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Why This Matters for Digital Menus

SB 68 creates a clear mandate: allergen information must be integrated into all menu touchpoints. This includes:
  • Mobile ordering apps - Must display allergens before checkout
  • Self-service kiosks - Must allow allergen filtering
  • Website menus - Must show allergen information
  • Third-party delivery - Partners must display allergen data

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The SmartMenu Advantage

SmartMenu API is designed for exactly this compliance scenario: 
query FindSafeOptions {
  search(
    preferences: {
      excludeAllergens: [PEANUT, TREE_NUT, DAIRY]
    }
  ) {
    matches {
      dish {
        name
        allergens {
          type
          displayName
          source        # "Contains peanuts from satay sauce"
          confidence    # 1.0 = verified, <1.0 = AI-inferred
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
Every dish returned includes:
  • Complete allergen declarations
  • Source attribution (which ingredient contains the allergen)
  • Confidence scores for AI-inferred allergens

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Other Allergen Regulations

While California SB 68 is the most comprehensive, other jurisdictions have or are considering allergen disclosure requirements.

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United States

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Federal

RegulationScopeRequirements
FDA FALCPAPackaged foodsBig 8 (now Big 9) labeling
FASTER Act (2021)Packaged foodsAdded sesame as 9th allergen
Federal FALCPA applies to packaged foods only. Restaurant menu labeling is regulated at state/local level.

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State Laws

StateStatusKey Points
CaliforniaEnacted (SB 68)20+ locations, Big 9, effective July 2026
MassachusettsActive legislationSimilar to CA SB 68
New YorkUnder considerationNYC has existing requirements
IllinoisUnder considerationChicago focus

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Local Ordinances

City/CountyRequirements
New York CitySodium warnings for items >2300mg
San FranciscoSugar-sweetened beverage warnings
MassachusettsAllergen awareness training required

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International

Many countries have stricter allergen disclosure requirements than the US:
RegionRegulationAllergens
European UnionEU FIC 1169/201114 major allergens
United KingdomNatasha’s Law14 allergens, prepacked foods
CanadaSFCR10+ priority allergens
Australia/NZFSANZ Standard 1.2.3Mandatory declaration

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EU 14 Allergens

If you’re building for international markets, the EU requires disclosure of:
  1. Celery
  2. Cereals containing gluten
  3. Crustaceans
  4. Eggs
  5. Fish
  6. Lupin
  7. Milk
  8. Molluscs
  9. Mustard
  10. Nuts
  11. Peanuts
  12. Sesame seeds
  13. Soybeans
  14. Sulphur dioxide/sulphites
EveryBite is expanding allergen coverage to support EU requirements. Contact us for international compliance needs.

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Compliance Timeline

For California SB 68 compliance:
1

Audit Current State

Review existing menu data for allergen completeness. SmartMenu API provides confidence scores to identify gaps.
2

Integrate SmartMenu API

Connect your ordering systems to SmartMenu for allergen data. See our Quickstart Guide.
3

Update UI/UX

Ensure allergen information displays at point of ordering. See Displaying Results.
4

Train Staff

Some regulations require staff training on allergen handling and disclosure.
5

Document Compliance

Maintain records of your allergen disclosure implementation for regulatory review.

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Penalties for Non-Compliance

SB 68 enforcement includes:
  • Civil penalties for violations
  • Health department inspections may include allergen disclosure review
  • Private litigation risk from customers with adverse reactions
Allergen disclosure errors can result in serious health consequences for customers with allergies. Accurate data is critical.

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Questions?

For compliance questions specific to your implementation, contact us at api-partnerships@everybite.com.