When it comes to food allergens, the world is watching California.

In October 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Allergen Disclosure for Dining Experiences (ADDE) Act, also known as the Addie Act, into law. This landmark legislation, named after nine-year-old allergy advocate Addie Lao, will require large restaurant chains (those with 20 or more locations nationally) to list the top nine allergens on their menus from July 2026.

It’s a major step forward for transparency, food safety, and consumer trust. But what does it mean for the wider catering industry, and what might it signal for the UK?

A Brief Look at the Addie Act

The new Californian law aims to reduce the number of life-threatening allergic reactions that occur when eating out, a setting responsible for around a quarter of all food-related anaphylaxis incidents.

From July 2026, qualifying food businesses will need to:
• Identify the top nine allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame) for every menu item
• Display this information clearly, either on printed menus or digital menus such as QR codes
• Ensure menu updates are made promptly when recipes or ingredients change
• Continue providing verbal communication for customers with allergies, supported by written accuracy

There’s no current requirement for “may contain” or cross-contact statements, but that could come in future versions. The law will be enforced through the California Department of Public Health and local health agencies.

Why It Matters – Even Outside the U.S.

Although this is an American law, it signals a clear global trend toward greater transparency and written allergen disclosure.

In the UK, food businesses are already familiar with Natasha’s Law, which transformed labelling for prepacked foods, and the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) updated guidance released in March 2025 for allergen information in the out-of-home sector. That guidance made it clear that consumers must have access to reliable allergen information and food businesses must have robust systems in place to track, update, and communicate it.

That’s exactly where Allergen Checker comes in. The platform was designed to help hospitality operators, caterers, and foodservice teams stay compliant, stay organised, and stay ahead of change. From digital menus and printable labels to automatic allergen tracking, Allergen Checker simplifies what used to be complex and helps protect both customers and businesses.

Allergen Labelling: A Global Push for Change

The Addie Act in the U.S. complements the growing campaign for Owen’s Law here in the UK, legislation that would require full allergen information to be clearly available at the point of ordering in all restaurants.

Owen’s Law gained official support from the FSA in December 2023, following the tragic death of 18-year-old Owen Carey, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction after being given incorrect allergen information.

If implemented, Owen’s Law could mirror the Addie Act’s approach with written, consistent allergen disclosure and could see the UK become one of the safest countries in the world for allergy sufferers to dine out.

With tools like Allergen Checker, that transition would be smoother, cheaper, and more achievable for food businesses of all sizes.

What Happens Next

The Addie Act officially comes into force in July 2026, but its ripple effects are already being felt. Major hospitality groups are preparing their systems, reviewing recipes, and exploring digital menu solutions.

Here in the UK, we’ll soon hit another milestone: the Government’s promised review of the FSA’s March 2025 guidance, expected in March 2026. That review, combined with ongoing discussions around Owen’s Law, could reshape how allergen information is managed across cafés, takeaways, and restaurants nationwide.

So, What Will the Landscape Look Like This Time Next Year?

Will the UK Government deliver on its promise to review allergen guidance in March 2026?
Will Owen’s Law finally be implemented?
And will we see UK legislation align more closely with the Californian Addie Act, where written allergen disclosure becomes the new normal for every dining experience?

What changes do you think we’ll see by this time next year? Join the conversation with us on LinkedIn.

Stay ahead of allergens, stay compliant, stay safe. Visit allergenchecker.co.uk to learn how our system can help your business prepare for the next wave of allergen legislation, wherever it comes from.