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Should CA restaurants be required to list food allergens on menus?
Some menus already include allergens. A new state bill could make that the norm.
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Cory Doctorow
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Flickr
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A new bill would require California restaurants to display food allergens on menus
Restaurant dining in California could soon become a little less stressful for the growing number of Americans with severe food allergies. State lawmakers are set to vote on legislation that would make California the first U.S. state to require restaurants to disclose whether a menu item contains any of the nine most common food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans. Restaurants could post the allergen information on physical menus, an allergen chart, an allergen-specific menu or other printed materials. They can also post a QR code to access a digital menu that lists allergens. Food trucks and carts wouldn’t be required to make changes. In September, the Legislature is expected to vote on Senate Bill 68, known as the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act (ADDE). If approved and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the new law would take effect on July 1, 2026. Today on AirTalk, we discuss the bill and what challenges restaurants may face if it were to come into law. Joining us are Robyn Lao, pediatric nurse practitioner and mother of Addie, the namesake of SB 68.
A bill making its way through the California legislature would require restaurants to warn customers of nine common food allergens.
Senate Bill 68 — proposed by Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who represents the San Fernando Valley — would require the disclosure on a menu or in a digital format like a QR code.
During a conversation on AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news program, local restaurateurs raised some concerns about what more regulations could mean for an already struggling industry.
Which allergens are included?
The bill requires these nine food allergens be disclosed. This includes ingredients that have protein related to these allergens, but not refined oils associated with the respective food.
- Crustacean shellfish
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Soybeans
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
Restaurant owners respond
Brett Thompson, chef and co-owner of Pez Cantina in downtown Los Angeles and Pez Coastal Kitchen in Pasadena, had mixed feelings on the proposal in the case of fine dining spots that usually change their menus more often.
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"[It's] definitely harder to keep up with the allergen list versus fast food restaurants, where the menu doesn't really change very often," Thompson said.
I think there needs to be a little bit of grace.
— James Boyles, chef at 38 Degrees Ale House
James Boyles, partner and chef at 38 Degrees Ale House in Alhambra, worries about cross-contamination and how that could add confusion about what's required on menus.
" I think there needs to be a little bit of grace... where we are educating our staff as much as possible," Boyles added.
Adam in L.A., a 20-year veteran chef, called into the program and said ultimately customers need to take responsibility, but, " in the past, I've put all the allergens on the disclaimer to cover my bases at the bottom of my menu."
The push for more transparency
Robyn Lao, pediatric nurse and co-sponsor of the bill, responded to the concerns and pointed to research that shows nearly half of reactions to some food allergens come from food items at restaurants. She said more transparency can only help and potentially even benefit restaurant workers by streamlining answers to concerns and questions.
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On frequent menu changes: " We know that there may be ingredient changes and things like that," Lao said, adding that the bill offers flexibility with digital or separate, print-out menus.
On cross-contamination: Lao said the bill requires labeling for the top nine allergens, but not for cross-contamination.
" For cross-contamination, we still encourage food allergy families to have verbal communication with staff," Lao said.
Each customer could make their own risk assessment after receiving that information.
On personal responsibility: Lao said she understands the bill " is not a 100% fail-safe."
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Listen
19:16
A new bill would require California restaurants to display food allergens on menus
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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