← Back to blog

Digital vs. Printed Allergen Menus: Which Is Better for SB-68?

SB-68 requires allergen disclosure but doesn't mandate a specific format. Here's how to decide between digital (QR codes, online pages) and printed (charts, icons on menus) — and why most restaurants should use both.

What SB-68 Actually Requires

The law requires that allergen information be "clearly identified" and available to customers before they order. It doesn't prescribe a specific format — you have flexibility in how you present the information, as long as it's accessible and item-specific.

This means you can use printed icons on your physical menu, a separate printed chart, a QR code linking to a digital page, or any combination. Let's compare the approaches.

Option 1: Printed Allergen Icons on Your Menu

Small icons (🥜 🌾 🥛 etc.) or letter codes (M = milk, W = wheat) printed next to each menu item, with a legend at the bottom.

Pros:

  • Information is immediately visible — no extra steps for the customer
  • Works without a smartphone or internet connection
  • Inspectors can see compliance at a glance

Cons:

  • Requires reprinting menus every time a recipe changes
  • Can clutter the menu design, especially for allergen-heavy items
  • Expensive for restaurants that change menus frequently (seasonal, specials)
  • Limited space for detailed information (e.g., which specific tree nut)

Option 2: Separate Printed Allergen Chart

A standalone page or laminated card that lists every menu item with its allergens in a grid/table format. Available on request or displayed near the register.

Pros:

  • Keeps your primary menu design clean
  • Easy to reprint just the chart when items change
  • Can include more detail (specific nut types, cross-contamination notes)

Cons:

  • Customers have to ask for it (or notice it exists)
  • Still requires printing and physical updates
  • Can get lost, damaged, or run out during busy service

Option 3: QR Code to Digital Allergen Page

A QR code on your menu, table tent, or wall that links to a webpage listing allergens for every item. Customers scan with their phone and browse.

Pros:

  • Update instantly — change a recipe, update the page, no reprinting
  • Unlimited space for detail (ingredients, cross-contamination warnings)
  • Customers can filter by their specific allergy
  • Costs nothing to maintain (no printing)
  • Shareable — customers can check your allergens before visiting

Cons:

  • Requires a smartphone and internet connection
  • Some older customers may not use QR codes
  • Inspectors may want something physical as well
  • Depends on a website staying online

The Best Approach: QR Code + Simple Print Backup

For most restaurants, the winning combination is:

  1. Primary: QR code on every menu/table — links to a digital allergen page that's always current. This is your living document that updates instantly.
  2. Backup: A printed chart available at the host stand or register for customers who can't or won't scan a QR code. Print a new one whenever the digital version changes.

This gives you the best of both worlds: instant updates (digital) plus accessibility for everyone (print). It also demonstrates good-faith compliance if an inspector asks.

What About Third-Party Menu Platforms?

If you use a platform like Toast, Square, or a website builder for your online menu, check whether it supports per-item allergen tagging. Many do now, but the implementation varies — some only show allergens online, not on the in-restaurant experience.

The SB-68 requirement is about the in-restaurant experience — customers sitting at your table need access before ordering. An online menu alone doesn't satisfy this unless you're online-only.

How MenuComply Handles This

MenuComply generates both formats from a single source of truth:

  • Digital page — A public URL with your full allergen disclosure, filterable by allergen
  • QR code — Print and place on menus, tables, or walls
  • Printable chart — A formatted PDF you can print for your host stand

Update your allergens once in MenuComply, and all three outputs update automatically. No reprinting your main menu, no asking your designer for changes, no version mismatch between what's online and what's printed.

Start Now

Don't overthink the format. Get your allergens documented first, then decide how to present them. Most restaurants can go from zero to compliant in under 30 minutes.

Try MenuComply free — upload your menu, review AI allergen suggestions, and publish your disclosure in minutes.