Updated Oct. 14, 2025 – California lawmakers have passed the ADDE Act in the state Assembly and Senate, pushing menu allergen transparency one step closer to becoming law.
However, to attain this advance for the food allergy community, changes were made so that the act known as SB 68 will only apply to larger chain restaurants.
The proposed legislation now would require restaurants with 20 or more locations nationwide to list major food allergens contained in each menu item. But advocates stress that it’s still a significant win, provided California’s governor signs the bill into law. [Update: Governor Newsom signed the ADDE Act into law. See latest here.]
Robyn Lao, the bill’s co-author and mom to Addie Lao, the 9-year-old inspiration for the bill, says: “Addie and I couldn’t be more thrilled about this monumental step forward toward food allergen labeling in restaurants.”
Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), views the amendment on restaurant chains as a necessary political compromise. “It strikes a balance where politically, we needed to make some accommodations in order to get it passed,” he tells Allergic Living. “I still think that’s a win to have labeling disclosure.”
Stakeholders had raised concerns about the economic impact on small businesses. Mendez says that making changes to quell those concerns offered the best chance for not only garnering lawmakers’ support, but also for obtaining the signature of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
California Senator Caroline Menjivar, who introduced the bill, had discussions with state departments and local health officials. These led her to the “conclusion that the bill had the best shot with excluding smaller establishments.”
ADDE Act: Decision Rests with Governor
The amendments that changed the bill to apply to larger chain restaurants were made days before the Assembly vote on September 8. The Senate then voted to approve the amended bill on September 9.
“Obviously we would love to have all restaurants required to do this,” Mendez says. “But we’d rather it get partway there with the larger restaurants, and make sure this gets passed.”
Menjivar worked in close collaboration with Robyn Lao and AAFA on the ADDE (Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences) Act. It passed the Senate unanimously in May 2025. However, due to the Assembly amendments, a second Senate consideration was needed, and that was the unanimous vote on September 9.
Menjivar was hopeful as the bill awaited Governor Newsom’s final decision, which had to come by October 13.
“Soon, the millions of Californians with food allergies … will be able to fully enjoy dining out without fear or apprehension at these qualifying restaurants,” Menjivar told Allergic Living. “In turn, these businesses will be able to offer allergen families a unique additional assurance that will drive customers to their establishments.”
If Newsom signs the bill, California will become the first state to require written notification of major allergens in menu ingredients.
“Hopefully the votes in both chambers send a strong signal to the governor that there’s support for this,” Mendez says. “This is really about safety and food safety. This bill will save lives in the food allergy community.”
Helping ADDE Act Become Law
The senator and Addie Lao share a common goal to make eating out safer for diners like them who have food allergies. Addie is allergic to dairy, peanuts, tree nuts and sesame; while Menjivar is allergic to nuts and most fruits.
“This bill was born of my own life experiences, having severe adverse reactions and even hospitalizations, as well as those of my bill co-sponsor, 9-year-old Addie,” Menjivar says.
Addie’s mom expressed thanks to AAFA, Menjivar and her team. As well, she applauded supporters from the food allergy, medical, and personal community for their help moving the ADDE Act forward.
“The fire has been lit, and we remain committed to future change. Food allergen labeling is needed to save lives,” Robyn Lao says.
Now, the ADDE Act needs help for the final push to provide menu allergen transparency in California. “The community really needs to get Governor Newsom to sign this bill, and look at how important this legislation can be for California,” Mendez says.
AAFA has provided a template for California residents to write to Governor Newsom, urging him to sign the bill. Residents in other states were encouraged to send a letter of support through this link.
As well, Lao and AAFA asked advocates to tell the governor they support the ADDE Act by posting videos on Instagram and Facebook stating that. People were asked to tag @gavinnewsom and @cagovernor, so his team saw the broad support.
Paving Way for Menu Transparency
The ADDE legislation also can pave the way for other states to enact similar legislation, Mendez says. As well, when large chains comply with the menu requirements in California, he notes it would be easy for them do the same at their locations across the United States.
In California, Mendez expects smaller restaurants will get on board with menu allergen transparency to compete with the larger restaurants.
Menjivar agrees that if the governor signs the bill, it can serve as an example. “We can learn from the successes of this incremental step to further expand its protections to more food facilities in a measured and practical manner,” she says.
AAFA plans to continue efforts to build on the ADDE Act to eventually include all restaurants.
“Allergen disclosure works. It helps provide a better dining experience for people with food allergies and reduces the incidence of food allergy reactions,” Mendez says.
AAFA has lobbied for food allergy community support and shared key information to help propel the ADDE bill forward. The nonprofit also collaborated with Lao and Menjivar to make changes to the bill before crucial votes. The amendments incorporated insight from meetings with legislators, food allergy advocates, restaurant owners and a regional restaurant industry association.
The changes designating the size of restaurant that must comply are based on the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It requires those eateries “to disclose nutrient content information”.
Bill on Allergen Requirements
The amended ADDE bill says a restaurant that falls under the mandate must provide written notification of the top nine allergens that are in any menu items. The ingredient information can be displayed in the following ways:
- Directly on the menu. A written statement below or adjacent to the menu item will indicate which major allergens it contains.
- Digital format. Restaurants can provide digital labeling, such as a QR code that links to the food facility’s digital menu.
- Separate allergen menu. If an eatery uses a digital format, it also must “use an alternative method to provide the information to customers who are not able to access the information in the digital format.” Options include an allergen-specific menu, chart or booklet.
With the Governor’s signature, the law would take effect in July 2026. It also adds sesame to the list of major food allergens in the California Health and Safety Code.
Related Reading:
Advocates Celebrate After Governor Signs ADDE Act into Law
For more information, see Addie Tells All website
Previously: Big Push on to See ADDE Allergy Menu Bill Succeed
