Build your 14-allergen matrix
You need a written matrix listing every dish and drink you sell against the 14 legally recognised allergens (celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide/sulphites), showing which are present.
You need a written matrix listing every dish and drink you sell against the 14 legally recognised allergens (celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide/sulphites), showing which are present. Front of house has to be able to give accurate allergen information to any customer who asks, before they order.
Getting this wrong kills people — several well-publicised deaths from missed allergens in UK food outlets are the reason this law exists. Beyond the moral weight, it is a criminal offence to provide inaccurate allergen information, and it is one of the first things trading standards and your EHO will test staff on.
Free FSA guidance and template approach — covers how to build and keep a matrix current.
Who this is for
Every venue serving food made on-site, including sandwiches, cakes and modified drinks (e.g. syrups, milk alternatives).
Applies to any food or drink you prepare, not just hot meals — a bought-in muffin sold loose still needs allergen info available.
What you’ll hold
- Allergen matrix (all dishes x 14 allergens)
- Staff sign-off that they have read it
Watch out for
- Not updating the matrix when a supplier changes a recipe or you swap an ingredient — an allergen matrix that is accurate on day one but stale by month three is worse than useless.
- Relying on "ask a manager" instead of written information — every member of staff serving food has to be able to answer allergen questions accurately, not just refer customers on.
- Forgetting bought-in and modified items — a supplier's cake, a flavoured syrup, or a milk alternative all carry allergens that belong on the matrix too.
Sources
- FSA — Allergen guidance for food businesses checked 2026-09-02
See also
- Natasha's Law labelling for pre-packed food
- Level 2 food hygiene for every handler
- Allergen matrix review— this becomes an ongoing job once you’re open →
This is item 3 of 66 in the free UK Launch Checklist. See the whole list →