SB 68 Allergen Disclosures for Dining Experiences Sent to Governor Newsom
SACRAMENTO- Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) announces a big step towards a win for the 10% of Californians living with food allergies. On September 9, 2025, Senate Bill 68 - Allergen Disclosures for Dining Experiences (ADDE), passed both houses of the California legislature with bipartisan support and was sent to Governor Newsom’s desk for his signature.
“SB 68 is headed to the Governor’s desk, and if signed, California will once again lead the nation by becoming the first state to mandate allergens be listed on menus for food facilities with 20 locations and above,” said Senator Caroline Menjivar. “This bill was born of my own life experiences, having severe adverse reactions and even hospitalizations, as well as those of my bill cosponsor, nine-year-old Addie. Soon, the millions of Californians with food allergies, many of whom are young children, will be able to fully enjoy dining out without fear or apprehension at these qualifying restaurants. In turn, these businesses will be able to offer allergen families a unique additional assurance that will drive customers to their establishments. Thank you to the cosponsors and my staff, who have worked tirelessly alongside me to bring Allergen Disclosures for Dining Experiences to a menu near you!”
Senate Bill 68 requires a food facility, with 20 locations and above, to include on its menus written notification of the top nine major food allergens contained as an ingredient in each menu item, either directly on the food facility’s menu or in a digital format. If they opt for a digital version, it should also be provided in an alternative format for individuals who don’t have access to technology or are not technologically savvy. The allergens include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans and must be listed using their common name. Once signed, the bill will go into effect July 1, 2026.
Nearly four million California residents have potentially life-threatening food allergies, and the CDC has found that food allergies affect nearly 8% of all children. Senator Menjivar has lived with the dangers of food allergies since her own childhood and was impressed during her travels to Europe and the UK by their extensive allergen disclosure requirements on menus. It was fortuitous that after one such experience abroad, Addie Lao and her Mother Robyn Huey Lao came to the Senator’s office to ask her to author the bill.
“Addie and I are so happy with how far SB 68 has come. This is a monumental step forward, as the first in the country to mandate allergen labeling on restaurant menus. SB 68 ADDE will change the culture of food safety. We are deeply grateful to Senator Menjivar for her leadership and to our co-sponsor, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, for championing this bill. It has been an honor to be part of the legislative process, and we will continue working to get SB 68 to the finish line. I am also so grateful to our community who rallied with us to make this happen. As a food allergy mom and healthcare provider, I know firsthand that food allergen labeling is needed to save lives, and SB 68 will make a huge difference.” - Robyn Huey Lao, Cosponsor of SB 68
“This legislation is a win-win for California families and restaurants. Senator Menjivar's leadership on this issue made this win possible. On behalf of the millions of Californians with food allergies, we say "thank you." We appreciate the opportunity to play a role by co-sponsoring this bill. ADDE promotes improved public health by creating a climate that will help reduce the incidence of food allergy reactions and promote food allergen disclosure. We celebrate this monumental "first" for our country today with the passage of the bill. We also acknowledge this bill represents a first step on allergen disclosure in restaurants, and we look forward to continued work with California policymakers on this issue.” - Kenneth Mendez, CEO of AAFA
The European Union has had a law since 2014 mandating labeling of 14 allergens in restaurants, but there is no single law in the United States requiring allergen labels for food facility menu items. By enacting SB 68, not only will food facilities be safer for the food allergy community in California, but restaurants will also be able to welcome more diners to their tables.
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