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California Bill Aims to Require Restaurants to Disclose Allergens in Writing. If Passed and Enacted, It Will Take Effect on July 1, 2026, and May Become a National Standard.
California is discussing SB 68 (Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act), which will require restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King, among others, to clearly indicate whether each item on the menu contains any of the nine major allergens. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, if approved by the legislature and signed by the governor. The proposal would make California the first state in the U.S. with this broad requirement for restaurants.
According to the Associated Press, the bill is under deliberation and is expected to be voted on during the September legislative session. The measure addresses a gap in federal standards, which mandate labeling for packaged foods but do not standardize allergen communication in meals served in restaurants.
The text of SB 68 lists the “Big 9”: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame (added as the 9th allergen in the U.S. by the federal FASTER law, effective since 2023).
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How Menus Will Need to Change in Practice
Restaurants may indicate the allergens directly on the printed menu, in a reference chart, in a specific allergen menu, or via a QR code that leads to the digital menu. The current wording also allows digital formats for large chains, as long as the information is easily accessible to consumers. Food trucks and temporary establishments are among the exceptions provided.
In practice, classic dishes will have descriptions with alerts such as “contains gluten,” “contains milk,” or “contains soy.” The aim is for customers to quickly identify risks without relying on technical documents that are difficult to read.
For chains with thousands of locations, the effort goes beyond menu design: technical sheets, internal systems, and staff training will need to be reviewed to ensure consistent customer guidance in physical stores and apps.
Why This Matters for Those with Food Allergies
The organization FARE estimates that 33 million Americans live with some form of food allergy, a number that underscores the urgency for clear information when eating out. CDC data also indicates that about 6% of adults have a diagnosed food allergy. Transparency Saves Lives.
Symptoms range from tingling in the mouth and hives to swelling of the lips and throat, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, anaphylaxis occurs, a potentially fatal reaction that requires immediate medical attention and often the use of epinephrine.
For families currently avoiding restaurants due to fears of contamination or confusing labels, the provision of clear and standardized warnings on menus reduces anxiety and expands consumption options safely.
Impact on Major Fast-Food Chains like McDonald’s
If the law advances, McDonald’s, Burger King, and other chains will have to display, in a standardized manner, the allergens of each item on the menus. Large chains may concentrate the delivery of information in digital menus and updated printed materials, which requires a review of processes with suppliers and R&D systems.
In the case of McDonald’s, items such as breads containing gluten, desserts with dairy, and sandwiches with sesame will have explicit indications at the time of purchase. The change is expected to standardize the consumer experience when consulting the menu on the screen, app, or counter.
This California standard historically influences other states. Experts believe that once implemented, it could stimulate national adoption and updates to the internal policies of the chains.
Costs, Industry Resistance, and the Warning Against “False Security”
The California Restaurant Association acknowledges the importance of the issue but criticizes the current design of SB 68 due to potential operational costs, the need for ongoing training, and the risk of lawsuits if there is a discrepancy between labeling and preparation. The entity is pushing for adjustments before the final vote.
Patient groups and medical entities support the bill but remind that the menu does not eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. FARE warned in a hearing that menu labeling needs to be accompanied by good kitchen practices to avoid creating a sense of excessive safety.
Meanwhile, advocates emphasize that the cost of adaptation is lower than that of an emergency due to anaphylaxis and that the measure opens up the market for millions of consumers who currently avoid restaurants due to a lack of transparency.
How Other Countries Handle Allergens in Restaurants
The European Union already requires that information about allergens be made available for non-prepackaged foods, including restaurants and cafes, since Regulation (EU) 1169/2011. There are 14 allergens that must be declared, a practice that has become standard in the bloc.
This European model has inspired local initiatives and provides a useful benchmark for menus with icons or notes next to each dish, as well as quick reference sheets.
For tourists and international consumers, finding the same level of information in the U.S. would facilitate safe choices comparable to those in markets that have already adopted the measure.
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