Virginia food regulations
Virginia's allergen rules, explained.
Written allergen disclosure is now required for covered food establishments. Here is what to check and how to get started.
Effective as of September 10, 2026
This requirement applies to every food establishment in Virginia.
Not just restaurants. Mobile food units and temporary food establishments are covered too.
The update
What Is Virginia's Allergen Disclosure Regulation?
Virginia's allergen disclosure requirement is part of an update to the Virginia Food Regulations (12VAC5-421), adopted by the Virginia Board of Health to align with the current FDA Food Code. Effective September 10, 2026, the update requires food establishments to disclose the presence of major food allergens in the food they serve.
The 9 major allergens
Food establishments must disclose the presence of any of these 9 major allergens in both packaged and unpackaged food. Sesame is the newest addition to this list.
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean Shellfish
- Tree Nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soy
- SesameNew
Three permitted disclosure methods
Once you know which of the 9 major allergens are in a dish, you can disclose them using any of these three methods.
1. Listed in words
Written next to the menu items they apply to.
Cobb Salad
Contains wheat and egg.
2. Icons or numbers with a legend
Shown via icons or numbers with a legend guests can reference.
Cobb Salad
Wheat Egg
Icons indicate allergens present.
3. Handout or QR-linked resource
Provided as a standalone handout or QR-linked resource. Menus do not need to be reprinted.
Illustrative example.
Who this covers
This requirement applies to all food establishments in Virginia, including mobile food units and temporary food establishments. Here are a few examples.
- Restaurants
- Delis
- Bakeries
- Food trucks
- Temporary stands and pop-ups
- Grab-and-go counters
Get started
A simple place to start
Use this checklist to understand what's required and put a plan in place for your menu.
Confirm your ingredients
Review recipes and supplier information to understand what is in each dish.
Map allergens to each dish
Identify the major allergens present as ingredients.
Make the information available
Give customers access when they make their food selections.
Keep it current when things change
Update information after recipe, ingredient or supplier changes.
This is an informational checklist, not an automated legal determination.
FAQ
Common questions
Source: Virginia Department of Health
Review the official guidanceVirginia allergen disclosure
Get a menu estimate