Allergen management is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a legal requirement — and for customers with severe allergies, it can be life or death.

Industry Data: Under the Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU FIC 2014, retained in UK law), food businesses must be able to identify and communicate all 14 major allergens in every dish they serve. The 14 allergens include celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, peanuts, sesame seeds, soybeans, sulphur dioxide, and tree nuts.

For street food traders, practical allergen management means: preparing an allergen matrix for every dish on your menu; displaying allergen information clearly at your stall; using separate utensils for allergen-sensitive dishes; briefing every staff member on the allergen content of every dish; and never guessing when a customer asks.

The consequences of getting this wrong are severe — both legally and reputationally. Natasha’s Law (October 2021) reinforced the UK’s allergen labelling requirements. NCASS provides allergen management templates as part of their compliance package.

References & Further Reading

  • Food Standards Agency: Allergen Guidance for Food Businesses — food.gov.uk
  • Gov.uk: Natasha’s Law — Allergen Labelling — gov.uk
  • NCASS: Allergen Management for Mobile Caterers — ncass.org.uk
  • Anaphylaxis UK: Food Allergy Awareness — anaphylaxis.org.uk