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California restaurants will have to disclose food allergens on their menus under new law

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/14 .. food-allergens-on-their-menus-under-new-law.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 14th 2025 at 14:57 GMT by Associated Press
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California’s newly enacted bill, passed this legislative session, mandates that restaurants publicly display allergen information on their menus to help protect diners with food sensitivities. The measure is part of a broader effort by state lawmakers to reduce the risk of accidental allergen exposure, which remains a leading cause of severe allergic reactions in the United States. According to a 2019 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.5 million people in the U.S. experience food allergy reactions each year, with about 400,000 cases requiring emergency treatment. California, home to nearly 40 million residents, is the largest state in the country with the highest concentration of food allergy sufferers, making it a logical focal point for national policy changes.

The law, codified as Assembly Bill 1712, requires restaurants with 50 or more seats to provide allergen labels on all menus, both in print and digital formats. Restaurants with 25–49 seats must make allergen information available to customers upon request, while those with fewer than 25 seats remain exempt from the new requirements. The measure will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving the industry a full year to adjust operations and redesign menus to comply with the new standards.

Under the bill, each menu must list the presence or absence of the eight common allergens that trigger the majority of severe reactions: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy. The regulation will also require that allergen information be displayed in a clear, consistent format, such as an icon system or a dedicated allergen section. Restaurants will be required to update any menu changes within 30 days, ensuring that diners always receive up-to-date allergen information.

The California Food & Drug Agency (CDFA) will oversee the rollout of the law, issuing detailed guidance on acceptable formats, language requirements, and enforcement procedures. The agency has set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for the issuance of compliance guidelines, which will cover how to integrate allergen labeling into existing point-of-sale systems, how to train staff, and what penalties apply for non‑compliance. The agency also plans to launch a public education campaign, partnering with the California Department of Public Health to promote safe eating practices among the general public.

The bill is expected to affect roughly 12,000 restaurants across the state, including fast‑food chains, casual diners, and high‑end establishments. The California Restaurant Association (CRA) estimates that the new labeling requirements will cost restaurants an average of $400 per year in redesign and printing expenses, although many larger chains anticipate amortizing costs through existing marketing budgets. Small‑business owners, however, are concerned that the compliance burden may outweigh the benefits, particularly for establishments that already operate on tight margins.

Industry representatives have offered varied reactions. According to a spokesperson for the CRA, the new law represents “an important step toward protecting consumers, but it also imposes significant administrative and financial hurdles.” “We want to work with the state to find a balanced solution that protects health while acknowledging the practical realities of small‑scale operations,” the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, the California Association of Food Service Professionals (CAFSP) highlighted that many restaurants already provide allergen information upon request, and they argue that the new mandate could be redundant for businesses already complying with existing health codes.

Conversely, advocacy groups for people with food allergies have welcomed the legislation. The California Food Allergy Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and improving safety for allergy sufferers, described the bill as “a major victory for public health.” “By making allergen information a standard part of the dining experience, we’re giving people the tools they need to make informed choices and reducing the risk of life‑threatening reactions,” the alliance said. The organization also pointed out that similar labeling requirements have been adopted in states like New York and New Jersey, with positive results in terms of reduced allergic incidents.

The law also incorporates provisions to protect against potential legal liability for restaurants. By mandating standardized labeling, the state aims to provide a clear framework that can help reduce lawsuits related to allergic reactions. Under the law, a restaurant that fails to comply with the labeling standards can face civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation, along with possible mandatory training for staff. Additionally, the CDFA will maintain a public registry of compliant restaurants, providing consumers with an easy way to identify establishments that have met the new allergen disclosure standards.

In addition to the primary text of AB 1712, the bill also references a separate piece of legislation—AB 1731—that sets forth guidelines for food manufacturers on labeling allergens in packaged foods. While this secondary bill is not yet signed into law, its provisions will be adopted in tandem with the menu labeling requirements to create a comprehensive, statewide approach to allergen transparency. The combined effort will address the entire food supply chain, from production to plate, underscoring California’s commitment to reducing food‑borne allergy risks.

The final legislative action on AB 1712 was approved by a broad coalition of lawmakers across the political spectrum, reflecting a shared recognition that food allergy is a public safety issue. The law’s passage is a testament to the growing influence of the food allergy community in California politics. With the new regulation set to take effect in mid‑2025, the state will be the first in the nation to enforce comprehensive allergen labeling at the restaurant level, potentially setting a benchmark for other states and even the federal government in the years to come.