Allergens Law - 1169/2011 - Food Laws & Technologies - Unichef

Allergens can be inconvenient and challenging for chefs if you're not prepared for it. But being prepared for Allergens is the key and will make you, your skill level and kitchen better and run more smoothly.

What are the 14 allergens and examples of their uses?

Gluten (Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats) Breads, Cakes, Pastries, Batters, English mustard, Vinegar.
Crustaceans ( Prawns, Lobster, Crab, Shrimp) , Fish pie, Seasonings.
Eggs Desserts, Custard, Mayonnaise, Sauces, Wines
Fish (Salmon, Cod, Haddock, Anchovy) Worcester Sauce, Seasonings, Burgers.
Peanuts Groundnut oil, Satay sauce, Pre-made pesto.
Soy/Soybeans vegetable oil, vegan alternatives, tofu, Sushi dishes.
Milk Desserts, Sauces, Butter, Cream.
Nuts (Almonds, Cashew, Hazel, Walnut, Pecan, Brazil, Pistachio, Macadamia) Oils, Pesto, Bakewell tarts/desserts.
Celery (Including Celeriac) Vegetable paste/stocks, Flavourings/ instant gravies/sauces.
Mustard Mayonnaise, sauces, Seasonings, Stock mixes.
Sesame Oils, dressings.
Sulphur dioxide Carbonated drinks, wines, preserved fruit & vegetables.
Lupin Flours, Breads, Desserts.
Molluscs (Clams, Mussels, Oysters) Fish mixes, Pre-made pies. fish based sauces.

What else does the law cover?

All information on all ingredients must be able to be communicated to the end consumer in a clear language.
Menu's and descriptions must not be misleading or ambiguous.
If you use genetically modified foods, this must be informed to the consumer before purchase (Many cheap vegetable oils are genetically modified)
Food businesses must not mislead consumers on food information (E.g telling a customer you have fillet steak on the menu but serve them a rump steak.)

What about Natasha's law or PPDS?

If your business does PPDS (Pre-packed for direct sale), you must list all ingredients on the food packaging. This applies for all food businesses

What is classed as Pre-Packed?

PPDS is food that is packaged before the sale has been made. A simple example of this would be if you work in a sandwich shop and prepare-package sandwiches in anticipation of a rush before anyone buys them.
PPDS must include all ingredients and not just the 14 allergens. Any of the 14 allergens in the top list must be listed in a different FONT style or in bold so that consumers can easily identify these ingredients.
If someone orders food to be packaged and you then start preparing that food and package it after, then it is not PPDS.

The FSA (Food Standards Agency) offers a free online allergen training course- This can be used as part of a businesses ongoing training program: Click & share the link below to access the training.

https://allergytraining.food.gov.uk/

Click the link below to find the current legislation: