Food allergies affect more than 33 million Americans, and that number continues to climb year over year. For many, dining out is a calculated risk and one that too often ends badly. In fact, one in three people with food allergies report having a reaction while eating at a restaurant. For years, allergen disclosure has lagged behind nutrition labeling, leaving diners to rely on verbal assurances from food service staff or incomplete information on menus and websites. But that’s beginning to change.
With the passage of California’s Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), allergen transparency at restaurants is stepping into the spotlight. And for MenuTrinfo®, this isn’t new territory, it’s the standard we’ve been championing for more than a decade.
From Calories to Clarity: The Evolution of Menu Labeling
The road to SB 68 started years ago, when calorie labeling became a federal requirement for restaurant chains with 20 or more locations. While this was a win for consumer awareness, allergen information remained notably absent. The 2022 FDA Food Code nudged things forward, requiring restaurants to acknowledge which allergens were present in their kitchens. But it didn’t go far enough because it didn’t specify allergens at the menu-item level, and it wasn’t universally adopted.
Now, SB 68 bridges that gap. Signed into law on October 13, 2025, and effective July 1, 2026, the bill amends California’s Health and Safety Code to require restaurants and food facilities with 20 or more locations nationwide to clearly disclose if any of the nine major allergens (eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, or wheat) are ingredients in each menu item. These disclosures must appear directly on menus or menu boards or be easily accessible through a printed allergen chart or QR code. It’s a monumental step toward informed dining and a clear signal that allergen transparency is no longer optional, it’s expected.
Why SB 68 Matters for Guests and Restaurants Alike
For the millions living with food allergies, this law represents peace of mind. Until now, dining out often meant taking a leap of faith asking the right questions, hoping for accurate answers, and trusting a system that wasn’t built to fully protect them. SB 68 changes that standard.
By requiring written, accessible allergen information, restaurants empower guests to make safe, confident choices. But this isn’t just about compliance, it’s about connection and trust. For restaurants, accurate allergen labeling signals care, professionalism, and leadership in food safety. It demonstrates that guest well-being isn’t an afterthought; it’s at the heart of the dining experience.
“This is a pivotal moment for food service. Yes, it’s challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to lead with integrity and care. We’ve been preparing for this for years, and I’m confident our industry can rise to meet it, because people’s confidence in dining out depends on it. And through it all, we’re here to help.” — Betsy Craig, Founder & CEO of MenuTrinfo®
MenuTrinfo is Leading the Way in Allergen and Nutrition Transparency
At MenuTrinfo, we’ve been ready for this shift long before it became law. Since 2010, our team has specialized in FDA-compliant nutrition data and precise allergen charts that meet and often exceed the expectations now outlined in California’s SB 68. Our process is thorough and collaborative. We carefully review every ingredient in each recipe to identify its allergen profile, sharing charts that clearly indicate which menu items include any of the Major 9 allergens.
With a proprietary ingredient database of more than 26,000 items, we can handle menus of any size, from neighborhood cafés to major national chains. But we don’t stop at the label. True allergen safety goes beyond ingredients, it’s about awareness. That’s why we created AllerTrain®, the nation’s leading food allergy training program for foodservice teams. It equips managers and staff with the knowledge and confidence to serve guests safely, reducing risks of cross-contact and fostering a culture of care that regulations alone can’t ensure.
Your SB 68 Solution Starts with Us
California’s new SB 68 legislation is setting a new standard for allergen transparency, but for MenuTrinfo® clients, it’s business as usual. Our proven Nutrition Services and AllerTrain® training already align with the requirements outlined in the law, ensuring your menus, teams, and operations are fully prepared for what’s ahead.
We’ve built our reputation on trust, accuracy, and compliance. That means if you’re working with MenuTrinfo, you’re not just ready for SB 68, you’re already meeting it with confidence. Your guests can dine assured and your brand can lead with safety and transparency at its core.
