If you run a restaurant, café, pub or takeaway in the UK or the EU, your guests have the right to know whether a dish contains any of 14 regulated allergens. The list is the same in every one of those countries. What changes from country to country is how you give that information for food you serve unpacked. This guide sets out the shared rule, then each UK nation and each EU country, with the official sources we used at the end.
The rule every country shares
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers applies directly in all 27 EU countries. Annex II lists 14 regulated categories of allergens. They are cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphur dioxide and sulphites (more than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/litre, measured as total sulphur dioxide in the food as eaten), lupin and molluscs. All four UK nations use the same list.
Unless an exemption applies, you declare any of them you use as an ingredient or a processing aid that is still present in the finished food, even in an altered form, including inside a sauce or another ingredient. Annex II lists a few exemptions, such as fully refined soybean oil, and the EU has changed them over the years, so check the current text. Accidental cross contact is a separate matter, which the rules handle differently. The categories are shared, but a general tag such as “gluten” or “nuts” may not be enough. A declaration should name the cereal or the nut, such as wheat or almonds.
Most of what you serve is not prepacked. You plate it, pour it or wrap it to order. For that food, Article 44 of the regulation makes allergen information compulsory and lets each country decide how you give it. Some countries want it in writing. Others let your staff tell guests, as long as a notice tells guests to ask. So a menu note that is fine in one country can fall short in the next.
The UK, nation by nation
Each UK nation enforces the allergen rules through its own regulations.
- England. The Food Information Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1855).
- Scotland. The Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (S.S.I. 2014/312).
- Wales. The Food Information (Wales) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2303 (W. 227)).
- Northern Ireland. The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/223).
For food that is not prepacked and that you sell on your premises, all four say the same thing. You can give the allergen information in writing or verbally. If you give it verbally, a notice, menu, ticket or label that guests can easily see must say that they can get allergen details by asking a member of staff. Food you sell at a distance, such as online orders, has its own rules. The Food Standards Agency's guidance is that written allergen information, supported by a conversation, works best for guests.
In Great Britain the GB version of Regulation 1169/2011 sits in UK law as assimilated law, so later EU changes do not apply there by themselves. In Northern Ireland, under the Windsor Framework, the relevant EU food information rules continue to apply, with specific arrangements for some retail goods moved from Great Britain. The 14 categories apply in all four nations. Your local authority inspects and enforces the rules in every nation. The Food Standards Agency sets the guidance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Food Standards Scotland does so in Scotland.
Natasha's Law in all four UK nations
Food prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) is food you pack before a guest chooses or orders it, at the same place where you sell it. A sandwich you make and wrap each morning for your café fridge is an example. It also covers food you pack and then sell from your own market stall or food van. Since 1 October 2021 PPDS must carry the name of the food and a full ingredient list, with the allergens emphasised, on the pack or on a label attached to it. This rule is known as Natasha's Law. Food you pack only after a guest orders it, and food you sell at a distance, follow different rules. England, Wales and Northern Ireland brought it in by amending their 2014 regulations, and Scotland made its own amendment, all from the same day. A digital menu does not replace that label. It backs it up at the counter.
In the EU, Article 44 treats food prepacked for direct sale like food that is not prepacked, so national rules decide how you show its allergens.
The EU, country by country
This table lists the national measure each country adopted for food that is not prepacked, and what it means for a restaurant or café. It sums up the main route, not every condition, so read the measure itself before you rely on a row. Where we could not confirm a measure from an official source, we say so rather than guess.
| Country | National measure | What it means for your venue |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Allergeninformationsverordnung, BGBl. II Nr. 175/2014 | In writing, for example on the menu, or verbally by trained staff with a written notice. Either way the information must rest on written records. |
| Belgium | Royal Decree of 17 July 2014 | In writing, or verbally under a written procedure, with trained staff and a visible notice telling guests to ask. Verbal information must be given at once, free and before the purchase. Where the information is verbal or not directly visible, a notice must also say that recipes can change. |
| Bulgaria | Ordinance on the provision of food information to consumers (Council of Ministers Decree 97/2021, amended in 2025) | In writing in the menu, since 27 July 2025. |
| Croatia | Pravilnik o informiranju potrošača o nepretpakiranoj hrani, NN 144/2014 | In writing near the food, or verbally with a visible notice and the information kept in print or electronically on site, where staff, inspectors and guests who ask can see it. |
| Cyprus | National rules | We could not confirm an adopted national measure. The EU allergen duty still applies. Without a national rule that allows verbal information, the European Commission reads the EU rules as asking for the information in writing. Ask the Cyprus food authorities how they expect you to give it. |
| Czechia | Vyhláška č. 417/2016 Sb. | In writing, with codes explained in the menu or on a display, and the codes must point to the actual allergens. Or verbally, if a written notice tells guests to ask staff. |
| Denmark | Executive Order no. 1355 of 27 November 2015 | In writing near the food or by another suitable method. If the allergens are not written on the food or the menu, a sign must say guests can ask for the information. |
| Estonia | Regulation no. 24 of the Minister of Agriculture, 11 March 2015 | The 2015 text allows it in writing, electronically or verbally. If it is not visibly written, a notice must say where to find it or that guests can ask staff. We could not confirm that this is still the current wording, so check the current text. |
| Finland | Decree 834/2014 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | Normally in writing near the food, or verbally if a notice says staff give it on request and the information is kept in writing or electronically on site. A few narrow exceptions apply. |
| France | Code de la consommation, Article R412-14 (first set by Décret n° 2015-447 of 17 April 2015) | In writing. Guests must have direct, free access on the premises to the information, or to a written note of where to consult it. A verbal answer alone does not meet the rule. |
| Germany | Lebensmittelinformations-Durchführungsverordnung (LMIDV) of 5 July 2017 | In writing or electronically. Or verbally, if informed staff give it promptly before the sale, a written or electronic record is easy for guests and inspectors to consult, and a notice says the information is given verbally and the record is available. |
| Greece | Ministerial Decision 1412/31883, Government Gazette B 650/2019 | In writing, or verbally if a sign says so, the information is also kept in print or electronically on site, and trained staff give it free before the sale. In Greek. The decision also deals with possible accidental cross contact. |
| Hungary | 36/2014. (XII. 17.) FM rendelet | In writing, or verbally if a responsible person is always present, answers at once from a written document kept on site, and a notice says so. The verbal route also needs a written internal procedure and recorded staff training. |
| Ireland | S.I. No. 489 of 2014, as amended | In writing, before the sale, in English (or Irish and English), and linked to each dish. A general note telling guests to ask staff does not meet the rule. |
| Italy | D.Lgs. 15 dicembre 2017, n. 231, Art. 19 | On the menu, a register, a sign or another medium in view. Or through a digital system or a notice telling guests to ask staff, and with either of those, written records must also be easy to consult. In Italian. |
| Latvia | Cabinet Regulation no. 595 of 20 October 2015 | In writing. A few cases listed in the regulation allow verbal information instead, such as street and market stalls, tills or scales that print only a few characters, and food guests pack themselves. A clearly visible written sign must then say where and how to ask, and staff give the information at once, free and before the purchase. |
| Lithuania | Hygiene norm HN 119:2014 | In writing or electronically, before the purchase, clearly linked to each dish. If it is not visible at once, a notice must say where to find it. |
| Luxembourg | Grand Ducal Regulation of 25 August 2015 | In writing, without guests having to ask. If the list is on a separate medium that is not visible at once, a written note must tell guests. The allergens follow a heading that contains the word “allergène”, in French, German or Luxembourgish. A verbal answer alone does not meet the rule. |
| Malta | National rules | We could not confirm a national measure. The EU allergen duty still applies. Without a national rule that allows verbal information, the European Commission reads the EU rules as asking for the information in writing. Ask the Maltese food safety authorities how they expect you to give it. |
| Netherlands | Warenwetregeling allergeneninformatie niet-voorverpakte levensmiddelen (2014) | In writing or electronically, or verbally if staff can answer at once before the purchase, the information is also kept in writing or electronically where inspectors can check it, and a visible notice asks guests to ask staff. |
| Poland | Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of 23 December 2014 (Dz.U. 2015 poz. 29) | A written notice at the place of sale, or another way that gives guests direct access to the information. The information covers the ingredients with the allergens identified, so allergen tags alone may not be enough. |
| Portugal | Decreto-Lei n.º 26/2016 | On any medium that guests can easily take in. The decree does not expressly provide a verbal option. |
| Romania | ANPC Order no. 163/2021 | In writing where dishes are presented, on the menu, a board, a poster or a screen, after the word “conține”, with the allergens emphasised. |
| Slovakia | Vyhláška 243/2015 Z. z. (as amended in 2018) | In writing on the menu, next to each dish. For food on a counter or in self service, a list near the food is allowed. If you use allergen numbers, a key must explain them. |
| Slovenia | Uredba, Uradni list RS 6/2014 | In writing where dishes are presented, on the menu, a board, a poster or a screen. |
| Spain | Real Decreto 126/2015, Articles 4 and 6 | In writing, or verbally by staff if a visible notice tells guests where to find the information or to ask, and the information is kept in writing or electronically on the premises. Read our guide to Spain. |
| Sweden | LIVSFS 2014:4 | Verbal information is allowed. If guests only get it when they ask, it must be clear to them how to get it. |
Every country where we confirmed a measure accepts written allergen information. Many also set a language. Ireland asks for English (or Irish and English), Spain for at least Spanish, Greece for Greek, Italy for Italian and Luxembourg for French, German or Luxembourgish, so check the rule where you trade.
Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
Norway and Iceland apply Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 through the EEA Agreement, so the same 14 allergen categories apply there. Liechtenstein is also in the EEA, but the EEA decisions on these food rules leave it out. Instead, the agricultural agreement between the EU and Switzerland, which covers food, extends to Liechtenstein. Switzerland is not in the EU and has its own ordinance, the Ordinance of the FDHA on Information on Foodstuffs (LIV, SR 817.022.16). It covers the same allergen categories, with its own details. You can give the information verbally only if a clearly visible written notice says so, and your staff either have it in writing or a knowledgeable person can give it immediately.
What this means for your menu
Written allergen information on the menu, next to each dish, is a method that every country where we confirmed a measure accepts. It still has to meet local rules on wording, language and records, and a general icon or category tag alone may not be enough. It also helps the guest who does not speak your language and the new member of staff who does not know the recipes yet. As a recommended routine, review a dish the moment a recipe or a supplier changes, and add the daily specials before service.
On Octopus Menu you tag the allergens each dish contains, on every plan, and guests see them on the dish in the menu. A tag names the allergen category, so add the specific cereal or nut to the dish description where your rules ask for it. On the Essential (£19 or €21 a month) and Growth (£49 or €55 a month) plans, the menu is also translated for you into up to 24 languages. See how allergen labelling and menu translation work, or compare the plans. For the UK detail, read our guide to UK allergen labelling.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Articles 9, 44 and Annex II, EUR-Lex, with the current consolidated version
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2512 amending Annex II, EUR-Lex
- European Commission notice on allergen information, EUR-Lex
- The Food Information Regulations 2014, legislation.gov.uk
- The Food Information (Scotland) Regulations 2014, legislation.gov.uk
- The Food Information (Wales) Regulations 2014, legislation.gov.uk
- The Food Information Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014, legislation.gov.uk
- PPDS amendments in force 1 October 2021, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland
- Food Standards Agency, allergen guidance for food businesses and PPDS labelling guidance
- DAERA, EU food law in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework
- Austria, RIS, Allergeninformationsverordnung § 4
- Belgium, AFSCA questions and answers on allergens and the FPS Public Health page on allergen declarations
- Bulgaria, 2025 amendment to the ordinance, as notified on EUR-Lex
- Croatia, Narodne novine 144/2014
- Cyprus, Public Health Services, food labelling
- Czechia, SZPI, the Czech food inspectorate, on Vyhláška 417/2016 Sb.
- Denmark, BEK nr 1355 af 27/11/2015
- Estonia, Riigi Teataja, the 2015 text and the current consolidated text
- Finland, Finlex 834/2014
- France, Légifrance, Code de la consommation, Article R412-14
- Germany, LMIDV § 4
- Greece, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Decision 1412/31883
- Hungary, 36/2014. (XII. 17.) FM rendelet
- Ireland, S.I. No. 489 of 2014 and the FSAI guidance, which reflects later amendments
- Italy, D.Lgs. 231/2017, Art. 19
- Latvia, Cabinet Regulation no. 595
- Lithuania, HN 119:2014
- Luxembourg, Règlement grand-ducal du 25 août 2015 and the food safety authority's guidance for restaurants
- Netherlands, wetten.overheid.nl
- Poland, Dz.U. 2015 poz. 29
- Portugal, Diário da República, Decreto-Lei n.º 26/2016
- Romania, ANPC Order no. 163/2021, Monitorul Oficial no. 592 of 14 June 2021
- Slovakia, Slov-Lex
- Slovenia, SPOT, the government business portal, on allergen information in food service
- Spain, Real Decreto 126/2015 (BOE)
- Sweden, Livsmedelsverket, LIVSFS 2014:4
- EEA and Liechtenstein, EEA Joint Committee Decision No 16/2025
- Switzerland, LIV, SR 817.022.16 (Fedlex) and the FSVO guidance on food sold unpacked
Laws change, so check the current text or ask your national or local food authority before you rely on any of it. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
