> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.everybite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Allergen Disclosure Regulations

> Understanding allergen labeling requirements that drive digital menu compliance

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

## 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.

<Info>
  **Effective Date:** July 1, 2026

  **Signed:** October 13, 2025 by Governor Gavin Newsom
</Info>

### 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)

### FDA Big 9 Allergens

The law requires disclosure of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA:

| Allergen   | API Value   | Notes                           |
| ---------- | ----------- | ------------------------------- |
| Milk/Dairy | `DAIRY`     | Includes all dairy products     |
| Eggs       | `EGG`       | Any form of eggs                |
| Fish       | `FISH`      | All fin fish species            |
| Shellfish  | `SHELLFISH` | Crustaceans and mollusks        |
| Tree Nuts  | `TREE_NUT`  | Almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc. |
| Peanuts    | `PEANUT`    | Ground nuts                     |
| Wheat      | `WHEAT`     | Includes spelt and kamut        |
| Soybeans   | `SOY`       | All soy-derived ingredients     |
| Sesame     | `SESAME`    | Seeds and oil                   |

<Tip>
  The EveryBite SmartMenu API supports all FDA Big 9 allergens in the `AllergenType` enum, making compliance straightforward.
</Tip>

### Digital Compliance Options

SB 68 allows digital disclosure methods, which is where SmartMenu API excels:

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Menu Touchpoint] --> B{Digital or Print?}
    B -->|Digital| C[In-App Allergen Display]
    B -->|Digital| D[Kiosk Allergen Filters]
    B -->|Digital| E[QR Code to Web Menu]
    B -->|Print| F[Written Alternative Required]

    classDef default fill:#e2e8f0,stroke:#64748b,color:#1e293b
    classDef highlight fill:#1D4ED8,stroke:#1e40af,color:#ffffff
    class A highlight
```

**Digital displays must:**

* Show allergens for each menu item
* Allow filtering by allergen (exactly what SmartMenu provides)
* Be accessible at the point of ordering

### Official Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="SB 68 Bill Text" icon="scroll" href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB68">
    Official California Legislative Information
  </Card>

  <Card title="Health & Safety Code 114094" icon="gavel" href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=114094&lawCode=HSC">
    Codified law section
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 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

### The SmartMenu Advantage

SmartMenu API is designed for exactly this compliance scenario:

```graphql theme={null}
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

## Other Allergen Regulations

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

### United States

#### Federal

| Regulation                                                                                                                   | Scope          | Requirements                 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- |
| [FDA FALCPA](https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergies/food-allergen-labeling-and-consumer-protection-act-2004-falcpa)         | Packaged foods | Big 8 (now Big 9) labeling   |
| [FASTER Act (2021)](https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergies/food-allergy-safety-treatment-education-and-research-faster-act) | Packaged foods | Added sesame as 9th allergen |

<Note>
  Federal FALCPA applies to packaged foods only. Restaurant menu labeling is regulated at state/local level.
</Note>

#### State Laws

| State             | Status              | Key Points                                |
| ----------------- | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **California**    | Enacted (SB 68)     | 20+ locations, Big 9, effective July 2026 |
| **Massachusetts** | Active legislation  | Similar to CA SB 68                       |
| **New York**      | Under consideration | NYC has existing requirements             |
| **Illinois**      | Under consideration | Chicago focus                             |

#### Local Ordinances

| City/County       | Requirements                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **New York City** | Sodium warnings for items >2300mg    |
| **San Francisco** | Sugar-sweetened beverage warnings    |
| **Massachusetts** | Allergen awareness training required |

### International

Many countries have stricter allergen disclosure requirements than the US:

| Region             | Regulation                                                                                                               | Allergens                     |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------- |
| **European Union** | [EU FIC 1169/2011](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32011R1169)                               | 14 major allergens            |
| **United Kingdom** | [Natasha's Law](https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/natashas-law)                                                     | 14 allergens, prepacked foods |
| **Canada**         | [SFCR](https://inspection.canada.ca/food-labels/labelling/industry/allergens-and-gluten/eng/1388152325341/1388152326591) | 10+ priority allergens        |
| **Australia/NZ**   | [FSANZ Standard 1.2.3](https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/foodallergies/Pages/default.aspx)                       | Mandatory declaration         |

### 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

<Info>
  EveryBite is expanding allergen coverage to support EU requirements. Contact us for international compliance needs.
</Info>

## Compliance Timeline

For California SB 68 compliance:

```mermaid theme={null}
timeline
    title SB 68 Compliance Timeline
    October 2025 : Governor signs SB 68
    Q1 2026 : Begin implementation planning
    Q2 2026 : Complete allergen data integration
    July 1, 2026 : Law takes effect

```

### Recommended Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Audit Current State">
    Review existing menu data for allergen completeness. SmartMenu API provides confidence scores to identify gaps.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Integrate SmartMenu API">
    Connect your ordering systems to SmartMenu for allergen data. See our [Quickstart Guide](/docs/quickstart).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update UI/UX">
    Ensure allergen information displays at point of ordering. See [Displaying Results](/docs/guides/displaying-results).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Train Staff">
    Some regulations require staff training on allergen handling and disclosure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Document Compliance">
    Maintain records of your allergen disclosure implementation for regulatory review.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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

<Warning>
  Allergen disclosure errors can result in serious health consequences for customers with allergies. Accurate data is critical.
</Warning>

## Questions?

For compliance questions specific to your implementation, contact us at [api-partnerships@everybite.com](mailto:api-partnerships@everybite.com).