Your Legal Responsibilities
If you serve food that isn’t prepackaged—like meals in a café, deli items, or food made to order—UK food law says you must clearly communicate any allergenic ingredients. This guide will help your business get it right.
Under UK law, you must inform customers if any of the 14 major allergens are used in your food.
Each business in the supply chain is responsible for providing correct allergen information. If you supply food to other businesses, make sure they have everything they need to comply.
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Accurate -
Easily accessible
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Clearly visible or communicated at the point of order
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How to Provide Allergen Information
You can choose how to present allergen information—what matters is that it’s clear, accessible, and accurate.
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Staff provide the information verbally (must be supported by signage and written backup)
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Written allergen sheets, charts, or menus
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Ingredient breakdowns available on request
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Allergen matrix or ‘contains’ statements
For Buffets and Mixed Dishes
Allergen details must be provided for each individual food item.
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Use signage or printed allergen charts
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Label dishes with allergen 'contains' statements
Distance Selling: Takeaway and Delivery
If you sell food online or over the phone, you must make allergen information available to customers before they place an order and again at the time of delivery.
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Adding it to your online menu or ordering system
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Offering verbal information over the phone
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Labelling containers with allergen content (e.g. “Chicken Satay: Contains wheat, soya, fish, peanuts”)
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Including a printed allergen menu with the order