Starting today - July 1, 2026 - all restaurants in California with 20 or more locations must comply with the ADDE Act - Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences - signed into law in October of 2025.
Here's what the bill, backed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), does:
The law will improve dining out for the more than 2 million people in California with food allergies.
AAFA's president and CEO, Kenneth Mendez, says of the law:
“With food allergies affecting more people each year, the ADDE Act’s simple menu disclosure requirement can prevent potentially dangerous allergic reactions and save lives. Millions of Californians have food allergies. The ADDE Act will require simple, written disclosure of the top 9 food allergens for all restaurants with 20 or more restaurant locations. Similar legislation is in place in the European Union and has been since 2014. Allergen disclosure works – it helps provide a better dining experience for people with food allergies and reduces the incidence of food allergy reactions. Not only does this law provide a level of protection for diners, it also helps restaurants attract loyal customers. The legislation is a win-win for California families and restaurants."
Here's more on the ADDE Act and the potential impact it will have:
https://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/starting-july-1-food-allergen-labeling-in-california-restaurants
https://aafa.org/aafa-bill-to-require-allergen-labeling-in-restaurants-passes-in-california/
https://aafa.org/aafa-bill-to-require-allergen-labeling-in-california-restaurants-becomes-law/
Here's what the bill, backed by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), does:
- Requires restaurants with 20 locations or more to provide written disclosure of food allergen ingredients to customers.
- Allows restaurants to provide allergen information directly on the menu or in a digital format (such as a QR code). If they provide it digitally, they can use an allergen list or allergen-specific menu.
- Requires restaurants that use a digital format for the allergen disclosure to also offer consumers a print option.
- Provides enforcement through the California Department of Public Health and the local health agencies that regulate food and restaurant safety.
The law will improve dining out for the more than 2 million people in California with food allergies.
AAFA's president and CEO, Kenneth Mendez, says of the law:
“With food allergies affecting more people each year, the ADDE Act’s simple menu disclosure requirement can prevent potentially dangerous allergic reactions and save lives. Millions of Californians have food allergies. The ADDE Act will require simple, written disclosure of the top 9 food allergens for all restaurants with 20 or more restaurant locations. Similar legislation is in place in the European Union and has been since 2014. Allergen disclosure works – it helps provide a better dining experience for people with food allergies and reduces the incidence of food allergy reactions. Not only does this law provide a level of protection for diners, it also helps restaurants attract loyal customers. The legislation is a win-win for California families and restaurants."
Here's more on the ADDE Act and the potential impact it will have:
https://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/starting-july-1-food-allergen-labeling-in-california-restaurants
https://aafa.org/aafa-bill-to-require-allergen-labeling-in-restaurants-passes-in-california/
https://aafa.org/aafa-bill-to-require-allergen-labeling-in-california-restaurants-becomes-law/
