Food allergies

A food allergy is when the body's immune system reacts unusually to specific foods. Although allergic reactions are often mild, they can be very serious and result in death.

Food businesses must tell their customers about certain allergens if they are in any food they provide. 

Apart from food, allergens could also be found in:

• additives
• processing aids 
• any other substances in the final product

You can tell customers:

• in writing, for example on a menu or sign

• verbally, for example when someone orders from you

Allergens you must tell customers about

You must tell your customers about the following allergens:

• celery
• cereals containing gluten, such as barley and oats
• crustaceans, such as prawns, crabs and lobsters
• eggs
• fish
• lupin
• milk
• molluscs, such as mussels and oysters
• mustard
• peanuts
• sesame
• soybeans
• sulphur dioxide and sulphites (if they're at a concentration of more than 10 parts per million)
• tree nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia nuts

People may also be allergic or have intolerances to other food or ingredients apart from these allergens.

Read more about allergens from the Food Standards Agency.