Written allergen information guidance for food service
Safer Food Scores The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published comprehensive best-practice guidance on providing allergen information for non-prepacked foods. The guidance is designed to help food businesses improve allergen communication, support customers with food allergies and comply with legal requirements.
To help businesses implement the recommendations, Safer Food Scores has developed the SFS Allergen Information Checklist (April 2025), providing a practical self-assessment tool to help identify gaps, reduce risks and prepare for food safety audits and inspections.
The Key Principle
The FSA’s guidance is based on a simple but important principle:
Allergen information should be available in writing and supported by a conversation.
Consumers increasingly expect allergen information to be easy to access, accurate and consistent. Written information helps customers make informed choices, while conversations allow staff to understand individual needs and discuss any additional precautions that may be required.
1. Written Allergen Information
The FSA recommends that food businesses make written allergen information readily available to customers wherever non-prepacked food is sold.
Examples include:
- Allergen matrices
- Allergen menus
- Digital allergen information systems
- Product information sheets
- Shelf-edge or display information where appropriate
The information should be easy to find, accurate, regularly reviewed and available without customers having to search for it or specifically request it.
Businesses should also ensure that written information is supported by trained staff who can answer questions and discuss allergen risks with customers.
For the full guidance on written allergen information, visit:
Providing Written Allergen Information
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foods-best-practice-providing-written-allergen-information
2. Distance Selling and Pre-Ordering
Food businesses that sell non-prepacked food online, through apps, websites or by telephone have additional responsibilities.
Customers must be able to access allergen information:
- Before placing an order.
- At the point of delivery or collection.
This ensures that consumers have the information they need to make safe choices regardless of how they purchase food.
Businesses should review their online ordering systems, third-party delivery platforms and telephone ordering procedures to ensure allergen information is consistently available.
For the full guidance on distance selling and pre-ordering, visit:
Distance Selling and Pre-Ordering
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foods-best-practice-distance-selling-and-pre-ordering
3. Voluntary Allergen Information and Claims
Many businesses provide voluntary allergen information, including statements such as:
- “Free from milk”
- “Gluten-free”
- “Suitable for nut allergy sufferers”
Any such claims must be accurate, evidence-based and supported by robust allergen controls.
The FSA guidance explains how businesses should manage voluntary allergen information and maintain accurate allergen records when ingredients, recipes or suppliers change.
For the full guidance on voluntary allergen information, visit:
Voluntary Information
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foods-best-practice-voluntary-information
4. Having Conversations About Allergen Requirements
Written information alone is not always sufficient.
The FSA recommends that food businesses encourage meaningful conversations with customers about their allergen requirements. This allows staff to:
- Clarify specific dietary needs.
- Explain preparation methods.
- Discuss potential cross-contact risks.
- Identify suitable menu options.
- Take any additional precautions necessary.
Staff should know how to respond confidently and accurately to allergen enquiries and understand when to escalate questions to a manager or allergen lead.
For the full guidance on allergen conversations, visit:
Having a Conversation About Allergen Requirements
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-information-for-non-prepacked-foods-best-practice-having-a-conversation-about-allergen-requirements
Free Resources: Allergen Icons and Posters
The FSA has also produced a range of free resources, including allergen icons, posters and allergen matrices that businesses can download and use to support their allergen communication systems.
These resources can help make allergen information more accessible and consistent for customers and staff.
Download Allergen Icons and Posters
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/download-your-allergen-icons-and-posters
Are You Ready?
The FSA’s guidance reflects growing expectations from consumers, regulators and enforcement officers regarding allergen communication and customer safety.
Businesses that adopt these recommendations can improve customer confidence, reduce the risk of allergen incidents and demonstrate a proactive approach to food safety.
The SFS Allergen Information Checklist (April 2025) has been developed to help businesses assess their current arrangements against FSA best practice and identify opportunities for improvement.
How Can Safer Food Scores Help?
Safer Food Scores provides enhanced allergen management reviews, training and consultancy services to help food businesses strengthen their allergen controls and communications.
Our support includes allergen risk assessments, policy reviews, staff training, audit preparation and practical guidance tailored to your business.
Contact us to find out how we can help you reduce risk, improve compliance and protect your customers.
Any guidance given in our articles is not official and Safer Food Scores can take no responsibility if the information is used to form part of any legal or regulatory compliance for your business. However, please do get in touch if you are interested in our support services and would like to benefit from official guidance relating to your particular circumstances, email [javascript protected email address]
