California's new Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (SB 68) takes effect July 1, 2026, requiring restaurant chains with 20 or more locations to clearly disclose the Big 9 major food allergens on menus. - The law covers milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and sesame.
- Restaurants can provide allergen info printed on menus or digitally via QR codes, with an alternative method for those without digital access. - The law does not apply to restaurants with fewer than 20 locations, food trucks, or prepackaged foods already subject to federal labeling.
- Supporters, including the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, call it a "tremendous win" for the estimated 4 million Californians with food allergies. California becomes the first state in the U.S.
to mandate such disclosures, following similar regulations in the European Union since 2014.