# Does SB 68 apply to you? Find out in 60 seconds.

California's ADDE Act requires large restaurant chains to tell guests which of 9 major allergens are in every menu item. Five quick questions help you see whether it likely applies to you.

[MenuIQ for restaurants](https://menuiq.ai/restaurants)

## [SB 68 guidance for AI & developers · JSON](https://menuiq.ai/api/public/v1/sb68)

The law in brief, the five questions, and an answer for the answers a restaurant gives, with next steps and official sources.

Checking a restaurant now? [See an example answer →](https://menuiq.ai/api/public/v1/sb68/check?ca=yes&count=gte20&menu=same&type=perm&channels=printed,qr)

## Does SB 68 apply to me?

1. Do you have a location in California? SB 68 only applies to brands with at least one California location. (Yes · Opening one soon · No)
2. How many locations does your brand have in all states, not just California? Count every location under your brand name, including franchised ones. (1 to 19 · 20 or more · Not sure)
3. Do those locations serve substantially the same menu? Same core recipes and items, even if a few dishes vary. (Yes, the same menu · Mostly, with regional tweaks · No, each menu is different)
4. What kind of operation is it? Some operations are exempt from SB 68. (Restaurant, café or bar · Food truck or cart · Temporary booth or pop-up · Prepackaged food only)
5. Where do guests see your menu? Pick every place it appears. Each one needs allergen info. (Printed menus · Menu boards or drive-thru · QR code menu · Website or app · Kiosks · Delivery or online ordering)

### Likely applies: SB 68 likely applies to your brand.

Based on your answers, you meet all three tests: 20 or more locations under one name, substantially the same menu and a California location.

1. Audit every standard menu item for the nine major allergens.
2. Add allergens next to or directly below each item on printed menus, or add a QR code with a printed allergen chart.
3. Keep a printed allergen chart, grid or booklet at every California location for guests who can't use the QR code.
4. Train staff on the nine allergens and where the printed chart is kept.
5. Set a process to update allergens when recipes or suppliers change.

### Likely applies on opening: SB 68 will likely apply when you open in California.

Your brand meets the location and menu tests. The law applies from the day your California location opens, so have disclosures ready before then.

1. Audit every standard menu item for the nine major allergens.
2. Add allergens next to or directly below each item on printed menus, or add a QR code with a printed allergen chart.
3. Keep a printed allergen chart, grid or booklet at every California location for guests who can't use the QR code.
4. Train staff on the nine allergens and where the printed chart is kept.
5. Set a process to update allergens when recipes or suppliers change.

### Confirm your count: SB 68 may apply. Confirm your count.

Count every location under your brand name, in any state, including franchises. At 20 or more, the law likely applies. Regional tweaks don't exempt you when the core menu is the same.

1. Audit every standard menu item for the nine major allergens.
2. Add allergens next to or directly below each item on printed menus, or add a QR code with a printed allergen chart.
3. Keep a printed allergen chart, grid or booklet at every California location for guests who can't use the QR code.
4. Train staff on the nine allergens and where the printed chart is kept.
5. Set a process to update allergens when recipes or suppliers change.

### Likely not required: SB 68 likely doesn't apply to you.

The law applies to brands with 20 or more locations. You don't have to post allergens, but guests with allergies will still look for them.

1. Keep allergen info for your most-ordered dishes in one place.
2. Train staff on the nine major allergens.
3. Re-check if your brand grows toward 20 locations.

### Likely not required: SB 68 likely doesn't apply to you.

It applies to brands with at least one California location. Other states are considering similar allergen bills, so it's worth being ready.

1. Re-check before you open a California location.
2. Keep allergen info for every dish in one place.
3. Watch for allergen disclosure laws in your own state.

### Likely not required: SB 68 probably doesn't apply to you.

SB 68 follows the federal "substantially the same menu items" test. If each location's menu is genuinely different, you likely fall outside it. Your local health department can confirm.

1. Ask your local health department to confirm your status.
2. Keep allergen info for each location's menu in one place.
3. Re-check if your locations move to a shared menu.

### Likely exempt: Food trucks and carts are generally exempt.

SB 68 follows the federal menu-labeling rule, which covers only fixed locations, and it also excludes compact mobile food operations like carts.

1. Re-check if you open a permanent location under the same brand.
2. Keep allergen info ready for guests who ask.
3. Train staff on the nine major allergens.

### Likely exempt: Temporary setups are generally exempt.

SB 68 excludes nonpermanent food facilities, like event booths and pop-ups.

1. Re-check if you open a permanent location under the same brand.
2. Keep allergen info ready for guests who ask.
3. Train staff on the nine major allergens.

### Likely exempt: Prepackaged food is generally exempt.

Foods already labeled under federal allergen rules don't need a second disclosure. Made-to-order items you also sell are still covered.

1. Re-check if you open a permanent location under the same brand.
2. Keep allergen info ready for guests who ask.
3. Train staff on the nine major allergens.

General information, not legal advice. Your local health department has the final word.

- 20+ locations under one brand
- 1 California location is enough
- 9 major allergens to disclose
- 0 days of grace period

## Who, what and where. That's all of SB 68.

- Who: Brands with 20+ locations, the same menu and at least one in California.
- What: Written notice of the 9 major allergens in every standard menu item.
- Where: Every menu guests order from: printed, boards, kiosks, web and delivery.

## Every dish. Nine allergens. Named or shown as icons.

- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soy
- Sesame

## Two ways to comply.

### Option A: On the menu

Allergens next to or below every item, on every menu and board.

### Option B · MenuIQ supports this: QR menu plus a printed chart

A digital allergen menu, with a printed backup on site for guests who can't scan.

## From menu photo to allergen menu. In under two minutes.

1. Snap your menu: Upload a photo or PDF. MenuIQ reads every dish.
2. Review all 9 allergens: AI flags likely allergens on each item. Your team checks them against your recipes.
3. Publish and print: A QR menu and a printable allergen chart for each location.

## The tools SB 68 calls for. In one place.

- A QR allergen menu: One code per location, showing your current menu.
- A printable allergen chart: A written option for guests who can't use the QR code.
- All 9 allergens, every item: MenuIQ's AI suggests which of the nine each dish may contain. Your team confirms them against your recipes.
- Plain allergen names: Milk, eggs, sesame and the rest, named in plain words guests can scan fast.
- Updates everywhere: Change a dish once and the QR menu updates. Reprint the chart so it matches.

## Generally not required under SB 68

The law also doesn't require cross-contact warnings or allergen-free guarantees.

- Brands under 20 locations
- Food trucks and carts
- Temporary booths and pop-ups
- Federally labeled packaged food
- Specials sold under 60 days a year

## Questions

### Is the ADDE Act the same as SB 68?

Yes. The Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act is the law's official name and SB 68 is its bill number. It took effect July 1, 2026.

### Do locations outside California count toward the 20?

Yes. Every location under the brand name counts, franchises included. One California location brings the brand under the law.

### Can we use only a QR code?

A QR code is allowed, but you also need a written alternative on site, like an allergen chart or booklet, for guests who can't use it. MenuIQ gives you both.

### Do daily specials need allergen info?

Items sold for less than 60 days a year, or fewer than 90 days in a row to test them, are exempt. Items that stay on the menu are covered.

### Who enforces SB 68, and what are the penalties?

County and city health departments enforce it under the California Retail Food Code. Violations can be a misdemeanor, and repeat violations can lead to fines or permit suspension.

### How accurate is MenuIQ's allergen detection?

MenuIQ's AI suggests allergens from your menu, and it can miss some, especially ones a menu doesn't mention, like a sauce base or a supplier ingredient. Your team reviews and confirms every dish against your recipes before it goes live, and stays responsible for what guests see.

## Official sources

- [SB-68 bill text, California Legislative Information](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB68)
- [SB 68 Major Food Allergens, California Department of Public Health](https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/SB68MajorFoodAllergens.aspx)
- [Allergen Disclosures: SB 68, California Restaurant Association](https://www.calrest.org/allergen-disclosures-sb-68)

## Allergen menus for every location. Printed and online.

$10/mo per location. No setup fees.

Start for free: https://platform20-production.up.railway.app/register

Company: support@menuiq.ai