California Allergen Law: Menu Disclosure Mandate
California’s SB 68 requires chain retail food establishments to provide written allergen disclosures for every menu item, offering options for QR codes, digital menus, or on-site written backups.
Who Must Comply?
- Any retail food facility with 20 or more locations operating under the same brand in the US.
- Applies to standard menu boards, printed menus, digital ordering kiosk templates, and QR sites.
- Exemptions apply strictly to compact mobile food operators and temporary food operations.
What Does The Legislation Require?
The 9 Major Allergens
Identify ingredients containing major allergens: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Wheat, Fish, Crustacean Shellfish, Soy, and Sesame.
QR Code Menus
Allows you to use digital menus via QR codes to show customers up-to-date allergen information.
Paper Backups
Requires physical backups (like charts, grids, or booklets) on-site for customers who cannot access digital menus.
Official Checks
Allows local health inspectors to review your printed menus, QR code links, and paper backups during standard inspections.
CA Health & Safety Code § 113820.5 & § 114093.5
California State Senate Bill SB 68
SEC. 2. Section 114093.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
114093.5. (a) Commencing July 1, 2026, a food facility that is subject to Section 343(q)(5)(H) of Title 21 of the United States Code that serves or sells food to the consumer shall provide written notification of major food allergens that the food facility knows or reasonably should know are contained as ingredients in each menu item. The food facility shall provide this information in either of the following manners:
(1) Directly on the food facility’s menu. If the food facility elects to provide major food allergen information directly on its menu, the menu item shall be followed by a written statement below or immediately adjacent to the menu item indicating the major food allergens contained in the menu item.
(2) (A) In a digital format, including, but not limited to, using a quick response (QR) code that links to the food facility’s digital menu.
(B) If a food facility elects to provide the major food allergen information in a digital format, the food facility shall also use an alternative method to provide the information to customers who are not able to access the information in the digital format. For purposes of this subparagraph, “alternative method” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
- (i) A separate allergen-specific menu.
- (ii) An allergen chart.
- (iii) An allergen grid.
- (iv) An allergen booklet.
- (v) Other written materials.
(b) A food facility required to provide major food allergen information pursuant to this section shall use either of the following when providing the information:
(1) Common or usual names of the major food allergens.
(2) Standardized pictograms to communicate the presence of major food allergens.
(c) An enforcement agency may utilize either of the following methods to evaluate a food facility’s compliance with this section:
(1) Visual verification of allergen disclosure. An enforcement officer may confirm that required allergen statements are displayed on printed menus, digital menus, or the alternative methods described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
Action Areas for Chain Facilities
Prepare your menus and staff to comply fully with the requirements of SB 68 by focusing on these essential operational areas:
Vendor Verification
Track raw vendor ingredient specifications directly down to the kitchen level, capturing substitution risks before delivery.
Recipe Control
Maintain central, digital recipe databases that automatically update and flag shifts in local kitchen allergen profiles.
Real-Time Menu Updates
Connect your recipe databases directly to your customer menus to show real-time allergen updates instantly whenever ingredients change.
Paper Backups
Keep printed allergen charts or booklets immediately available at service counters for guests who prefer paper over QR codes.
Handler Cards & Training
Ensure all team members hold active California Food Handler Cards and know how to find live allergen info on your system.
Official Checks
Run regular checks to ensure your QR code links are working, menu signs are clear, and paper backups are fully up to date.
Allergen Disclosure Questionnaire
Use our interactive self-audit tool below to assess your chain restaurant’s compliance level under California SB 68. Fill out the steps below to calculate your real-time risk index, then submit the profile to view your customized remediation scorecard.
1 Scope & Brand Applicability
2 Major Food Allergens Mapping
3 Direct Menu Disclosures
4 QR Code & Digital Menu Controls
5 Required Physical Backups
6 Vendor Specifications & Refined Oils
7 California Handler Cards & Training
8 Visual Inspection Readiness
Submit Audit & Lock In Report
Submit your details below to save your live interactive assessment and instantly view your dynamic California SB 68 scorecard, risk profile, and outstanding remediation gaps on this page.
Looking for deep-dive articles & implementation guides?
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Ensure Compliant Menu Labeling
Whether you have questions about California SB 68 compliance, QR menu transitions, or backup chart formatting, our team of regulatory specialists is here to assist.
CA SB 68 Allergen Disclosures FAQ
What is CA SB 68 (The California Major Food Allergens Menu Disclosure Law)?
California Senate Bill 68 (SB 68) is a state law that requires food facilities subject to federal chain restaurant labeling mandates to provide clear written notifications identifying major food allergens present in each menu item.
Which California food establishments must comply with SB 68?
The law applies to chain retail food establishments and restaurants operating in California with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name and offering substantially the same menu items.
When does CA SB 68 take effect?
The menu disclosure requirements officially went into effect on July 1, 2026 across the state of California.
Does CA SB 68 allow digital menus or QR codes for allergen disclosures?
Yes, establishments can offer digital disclosures (such as QR codes linking to digital allergen menus), but they must also maintain an alternative physical layout, such as a paper chart, booklet, or specific grid, for customers who cannot access the digital system.
Are highly refined oils covered under California Retail Food Code definitions?
No. Pursuant to CA Health and Safety Code Section 113820.5, highly refined oils derived from major food allergens and any ingredients derived from those oils are explicitly exempt from warning requirements.