Food business: New Food Allergen and Intolerance Requirement

Consumers can expect to see details of the 14 allergens contained in the food they buy either on the label, menus, chalk boards, tickets or provided verbally by an appropriate member of staff.

When ordering take-away foods, they can expect to be asked about their allergy requirements before they place their order and to be provided with further information regarding the allergies on delivery of their meal.

The changes regarding food allergens requirements were introduced in the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulations (No. 1169/2011) and the Food Information Regulations 2014 (SI 2014/1855).

The allergens in question are: celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, mollusc, mustard, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, soya and sulphur dioxide. The Food Standards Agency has provided a fact sheet with some examples of where they can be .

The following links below give further information:

• If you run a business providing prepacked food
• If you represent a business providing non-prepacked (loose) foods

Distance Selling

If non-prepacked food is sold at a distance, such as food takeaway businesses which offer purchase through telephone/internet, you need to ensure that allergen information is made available to the consumer before they decide to buy the product. You must also ensure that allergen information is made at the point of delivery. Please note that all allergen information should be provided through free phone or standard rate calls.

Useful Tools for Businesses

• Allergen signage
• Chef's allergen menu matrix

For further information on food allergen labelling and information requirements see the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Technical Guidance

For Customers

If you have an allergy download a "Food Allergy Alert" Chef Card that outlines the foods you must avoid, these can be used to communicate your food allergies to restaurant staff.