Spencer Fane attorneys Megan E. Rockwell and Zachary Palomino wrote the article The Changing Landscape of Restaurant Allergen Disclosure, which was recently published by Modern Restaurant Magazine.
In the team’s article, which originated as a firm blog post, they review the growing wave of state legislation requiring restaurants and other food businesses to disclose the presence of major food allergens in menu items and prepared foods. The article highlights new and proposed laws in California, New York, Michigan, Maryland, Illinois, and Missouri, outlining the businesses affected, compliance options, enforcement mechanisms, and potential penalties for violations. It also explores how these requirements signal a broader shift toward making food-allergy compliance a regulatory obligation rather than solely a food-safety best practice.
“Signed into law by Governor Hochul in November 2025, Assembly Bill A6558A / Senate Bill S5381A …will require food establishments to label all food ‘prepared, packaged, and offered or sold to customers on the same premises’ with a written notification on the package, or on a label attached to the package, which identifies any of the nine major food allergens in the food,” as of November 2026, the team wrote.
At Spencer Fane, Megan guides clients through opportunities to start, grow, and sell their businesses with a specific focus on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising transactions, and general corporate matters. She has developed significant experience representing food, beverage, and hospitality clients in a wide variety of complex transactions, with an eye towards continued growth.
Zachary focuses his practice on employment law in a broad array of workplace and litigation matters, working to limit the risk of financial and legal exposure while simultaneously preparing to defend interests in all types of legal venues. His employment practice includes representing employers in cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, and wage and hour disputes.
Read the team’s full article here.