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

The instrumentality Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Monday applies to businesses with astatine slightest 20 locations.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California volition go the archetypal authorities successful the federation requiring restaurants to database large nutrient allergens connected their menus starting successful 2026 nether a caller law.

The instrumentality Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Monday applies to businesses with astatine slightest 20 locations. They volition person to disclose ingredients including milk, eggs, shellfish and histrion nuts erstwhile they cognize oregon "reasonably should know" that they are successful their products.

California authorities Sen. Caroline Menjivar, a Democrat, said the measure was inspired successful portion by her ain experiences surviving with terrible allergies to galore nuts and fruits.

"Soon, the millions of Californians with nutrient allergies, galore of whom are young children, volition beryllium capable to afloat bask eating retired without fearfulness oregon apprehension astatine these qualifying restaurants," she said erstwhile the measure passed successful the Legislature. "In turn, these businesses volition beryllium capable to connection allergen families a unsocial further assurance that volition thrust customers to their establishments."

But the California Restaurant Association has said antecedently that the instrumentality volition beryllium costly and burdensome for businesses. The radical said it is pleased the measure nary longer applies to tiny restaurants, but is acrophobic the authorities could pb to "predatory lawsuits" against businesses.

"We proceed to measure the impacts to those members of ours inactive taxable to the projected instrumentality and are moving with them to find if a alteration successful presumption is warranted," CEO Jot Condie said successful a statement.

The nonprofit Food Allergy Research and Education said the measure is not cleanable but is simply a "meaningful step" to support radical with nutrient allergies.

Addie Lao, a kid with terrible allergies who advocated for the bill, said antecedently that it would marque it easier for her to devour retired with friends and family.

"I person to debar the foods I'm allergic to since it's similar poison to my assemblage and tin harm me," she said astatine a legislative proceeding successful April.