In September, California legislators were scheduled to decide on Senate Bill 68, called the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences Act. If the governor approves, the law would start on July 1, 2026, making California the first state in the United States to require restaurants to show the nine main food allergens on their menus. These allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. Senator Caroline Menjivar, who introduced the bill, explained that millions of people in the state suffer from allergies that can cause serious health emergencies. Supporters gave the example of 17-year-old Braxton Kimura from San Jose, who lives with dangerous food allergies. Data from Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) shows that more than 33 million Americans, including nearly 4 million Californians, are affected.

The plan lets restaurants show allergen details on paper menus, wall charts, or digital QR code menus, while food trucks and carts are exempt. Health experts and families say the law would improve safety and help customers avoid risky foods. The California Restaurant Association disagrees, saying that frequent ingredient changes would make menus difficult and costly to update. Even so, supporters point to Europe, where similar rules have existed since 2014, and to U.S. chains like Chipotle and Olive Garden that already provide allergen details. Observers see the bill as an important step that may reshape food safety in restaurants nationwide.