Food Allergen Compliance for European Food Businesses

Food establishments in Europe must comply with EU Regulation 1169/2011, which mandates clear allergen information to protect consumers from allergic reactions. These rules apply to all EU member states, as well as some non-EU countries that follow similar food safety laws.

Key Regulations

Mandatory Allergen Declarations

The EU requires businesses to disclose if any of the 14 major allergens are present in their food:

Celery
Cereals containing gluten (e.g., wheat, barley, rye, oats)
Crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, crab)
Eggs
Fish
Lupin
Milk
Molluscs (e.g., squid, mussels)
Mustard
Nuts (e.g., almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts)
Peanuts
Sesame seeds
Soybeans
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (above 10 mg/kg)

Allergen Labelling for Packaged Foods

All allergens must be clearly highlighted in the ingredient list (e.g., bold, underlined, or a different color).
A separate "Contains" statement is optional but recommended.

Non-Packaged Foods (Restaurants, Bakeries, Cafés, Takeaways, etc.)

Businesses must provide written or verbal allergen information.
Information must be easily accessible—either on menus, signs, or by staff upon request.
Some countries (e.g., Spain, Germany, Italy) require written allergen listings for all food establishments.

Online & Delivery Orders

Customers must have access to allergen information before purchasing (e.g., on a website or menu).
The same information must be available at the time of delivery.

Cross-Contact Awareness

The law does not require "may contain" warnings, but businesses are encouraged to inform customers if there is a risk of cross-contact.
Staff should be trained to minimize allergen cross-contact in shared kitchen spaces.

Best Practices for Compliance

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Train Staff – Employees should understand allergen risks and how to communicate them.

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Keep Allergen Information Updated – Ingredients can change, so menus must be reviewed regularly.

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Use Clear Labelling – Make allergen information easy to read for customers.

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Prevent Cross-Contact – Store allergens separately and use dedicated utensils.

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Have a Policy for Allergic Customers – Be transparent about what your business can safely provide.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with EU food safety laws can result in fines, legal action, food recalls, and business closures. In severe cases, businesses may face criminal liability if an allergic reaction results in harm.