Violation

California Code § 101227(a)(7)(B)Food Allergy Prevention

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects Child Care Centers1 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 101227(a)(7)(B) actually says

California Code § 101227(a)(7)(B)

A child shall not be served any food to which the child's record indicates he/she has an allergy.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Allergy violations are among the most serious because they involve direct risk to a child. Inspectors cross-reference the allergy information in each child's file with what's being served in the kitchen that day. If a child's record says 'peanut allergy' and the posted menu includes peanut butter sandwiches, the inspector doesn't need to see an actual incident to write the citation. They also check whether your kitchen staff and classroom teachers can name each child's allergies without looking at the file. Post allergy lists in the kitchen, in each classroom, and wherever food is prepared or served. Use a color-coded plate or placemat system so every adult in the room can identify which child has restrictions.

By the numbers

1^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
1^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
140^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Fewer citations than the prior period
3 facilities

1 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Food Allergy Prevention

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Provide liquid soap at all handwashing stations
Keep soap dispensers filled and working
Use soap appropriate for children's skin
Replace soap when empty or contaminated

What to avoid

Relying only on the enrollment file to track allergies instead of posting visible lists where food is prepared and served. Providers assume the information is 'in the system,' but the cook or substitute teacher may never check the file. Inspectors verify that allergy info is accessible at the point of service.
Not updating allergy records when parents report new allergies mid-year. A child develops a dairy sensitivity in March but the file still shows the September enrollment form with no allergies listed. Inspectors compare parent communications with the official record.
Assuming 'mild' allergies don't count. Providers sometimes dismiss sensitivities reported by parents as preferences rather than medical concerns. If the child's record documents any allergy, you must treat it as a restriction regardless of perceived severity.
Failing to account for allergies during special events, field trips, or birthday celebrations. The regulation applies to all food served, not just daily meals. Parent-brought cupcakes containing a known allergen trigger the same citation as a kitchen-prepared meal.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.

Regional citations for Food Allergy Prevention, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
San Diego	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-05Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the Food Allergy Protection Requirement?

California Code Section 101227(a)(7)(B) prohibits serving any food to a child when the child's record documents an allergy to that food. This applies to every meal, snack, and food item served at your facility, including birthday treats and field trip provisions brought by parents. For your daily operations, this means every adult who handles food in your facility must know each child's allergies and have that information visible at the point of service.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 3 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 3 California counties: San Diego, Santa Clara, and Yolo. That's roughly 1 in 13,333 inspected facilities. While the citation rate is low, food allergy violations carry disproportionate weight because they involve direct risk to a child. Inspectors treat allergy compliance with the same urgency as supervision violations.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors cross-reference each child's allergy documentation with the food being served that day. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, if a child's file says 'peanut allergy' and the posted menu includes peanut butter, that's a citation, no actual incident required. They also ask kitchen staff and classroom teachers to name each child's allergies without looking at the file. Inability to recall this information from memory gets documented as a systemic concern.

How can I prevent this citation?

Post allergy lists in three places: the kitchen, each classroom, and wherever food is served. Use a color-coded plate or placemat system so every adult in the room can instantly identify children with restrictions. Update allergy records immediately when parents report new sensitivities mid-year, not just at enrollment. Before any special event with outside food (birthdays, holidays, field trips), verify every item against the allergy list.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Immediately audit every child's file for current allergy documentation and compare it against your posted allergy lists. Create or update visible allergy postings for the kitchen and every classroom. Train all staff, including substitutes and kitchen workers, on the updated allergy protocols within 48 hours. Implement a written check-off procedure for verifying menus against allergy lists before food prep begins each day. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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