In Europe, food allergies affect 6% of children and over 3% of adults. The restaurant allergen chart has therefore become an essential element for all catering establishments. It's not just a question of customer service, it's a legal obligation.
According to the European Union's INCO regulation (n°1169/2011), displaying the allergen table is mandatory for all catering professionals. Failure to do so may result in penalties, and you may be held liable if a customer develops an allergic reaction. At Etal Shops, we offer a complete range of solutions to help you comply with these regulations while protecting your customers. Our restaurant allergen list is designed to be clear, comprehensive and compliant with legal requirements.
The main aim of this mandatory indication is to enable consumers to choose their meal in full knowledge of the risks involved. With 14 notifiable allergens, it's crucial to have the right, professional support to present them correctly to your customers.
Why an allergen chart is essential in the foodservice industry
Allergic reactions can be serious health hazards, which is why an allergen chart is not just an accessory but an absolute necessity. Effective allergen management is a major challenge for all foodservice professionals.
Food safety and risk prevention
Food allergies represent a real and growing danger. According to ANSES, food allergies are on the increase every year, affecting 3.5% of adults and 8% of children. Accidental exposure can cause serious reactions, ranging from simple itching to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. Indeed, in the most severe cases, death can occur within minutes.
Legal obligation under the INCO regulation
Moreover, allergen labelling is not optional. Since July 2015, Decree no. 2015-447 of April 17, 2015 has required restaurateurs to inform their customers of the presence of 14 major allergens in their preparations. This obligation applies to all professionals in the agri-food chain without exception: restaurants, bars, school canteens, company restaurants, caterers.
Failure to meet these obligations can result in severe penalties:
- As part of a health inspection: administrative sanctions
- In the event of a serious accident: legal proceedings and criminal penalties.
- Failure to post information is punishable by a fine of 1,500 euros for individuals and 7,500 euros for corporate bodies.
Customer expectations and transparency
Today's consumers are increasingly aware of allergy-related issues. A clear and accessible table of allergens is an essential element of trust between restaurateurs and their customers.
Transparency is not only a legal obligation, it' s also a commercial asset. Clearly displaying allergens in your restaurant can encourage customers to order from you. By demonstrating your commitment to food safety, you can reassure your customers and build a lasting relationship of trust.
As a restaurateur, you are the guarantor of food safety for your guests. Your restaurant's allergen chart must therefore be carefully designed, easily accessible and regularly updated.
What should a compliant allergen chart contain?
To effectively protect your customers, a restaurant allergen chart must meet specific criteria. Knowing these requirements will help you avoid health and legal risks.
The 14 notifiable allergens
The INCO regulation requires the declaration of 14 specific allergens in all catering establishments. These allergens must be prominently displayed in your allergen table:
- Cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut)
- Shellfish and shellfish products
- Eggs and egg products
- Fish (with exceptions such as fish gelatin used as a vitamin carrier)
- Peanuts and peanut products
- Soya and soya products
- Milk and dairy products (including lactose)
- Nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, etc.)
- Celery and celery products
- Mustard and mustard products
- Sesame seeds and by-products
- Sulfur dioxide and sulfites (in concentrations exceeding 10mg/kg or 10mg/l)
- Lupin and lupin products
- Mollusks and by-products
Recommended format: paper, digital or mixed
Your allergen list can be presented in a variety of ways, as long as it is easily accessible to customers. In particular, you can opt for :
- A paper format, ideal for display in the dining room or kitchen
- A digital version via a digital card on a tablet or smartphone
- A QR code displayed at the entrance or on tables
- A direct link to a dedicated page on your website
European regulations authorize these different formats, provided that the information is immediately accessible, reliable, legible and regularly updated.
Examples of clear, legible information
First of all, allergens must appear clearly and be easily distinguishable from the rest of the information. In addition, allergens must be indicated in a specific typeface: bold, underlined or italicized.
You can indicate the presence of allergens in different ways:
- Directly on the menu, using pictograms or symbols
- By specific indications such as "Contains gluten, eggs and soy".
- Via a summary table available on request
For an effective display, consider adding a legend with distinct colors to facilitate visual identification. Finally, remember that Etal Shops offers customizable, compliant allergen chart templates to help you easily meet these obligations.
How to use an allergen chart in your restaurant
Once your allergen chart has been created, its effective use is essential to protect your customers and comply with regulations.
Display on menus and walls
Allergens can be displayed directly on your menus, next to each dish, or on a summary board strategically placed throughout your establishment. In particular, you can place it at the entrance to the restaurant, on the walls of the dining room or near the order counters. Alternatively, if space on your menu is limited, a simple statement such as "Allergens: information available on request" will suffice, as long as the document is easily accessible.
Using QR codes and digital media
Digital media offer a modern, practical alternative. A QR code placed on tables or menus gives customers instant access to allergen information via their smartphone. This method has the considerable advantage of facilitating real-time updates, without the need to reprint physical media. Customers can filter dishes according to their specific allergies.
Regular updates for recipe changes
It's imperative to update your allergen table whenever a recipe is modified or a supplier changes. This constant vigilance is crucial, as a simple change of ingredient can introduce a new allergen into your preparations.
Staff training in allergen management
Finally, all your staff must be trained in allergen management. Every member of the team needs to know where to find the allergen list, and how to answer customer questions. What's more, proper training helps avoid cross-contamination during food preparation.
Why buy your allergen chart from Etal Shops?
Choosing the right supplier for your allergen chart is as important as the chart itself. Etal Shops has established itself as a benchmark for foodservice professionals looking for compliant, practical display solutions.
Ready-to-use, customizable models
Our allergen signs are designed for immediate, intuitive use. They make it easy to indicate the presence of the 14 mandatory allergens in your preparations. What's more, our models can be used with a dry-erase felt-tip pen, so you can update them regularly without having to buy new media. This economical and ecological solution is perfect for changing menus.
Compliance with INCO regulations
All our products fully comply with European Parliament Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. In fact, DGCCRF checks have revealed a high rate of non-compliance in the indication of allergens. By choosing our tables, you can be sure of complying with the law and avoiding administrative sanctions.
Easy ordering and fast delivery
Our e-commerce site lets you order the model best suited to your needs in just a few clicks. In particular, we offer a range of formats and supports to suit your space and style of establishment.
Suitable for all types of establishments (canteens, restaurants, caterers)
Whether you run a restaurant, a school canteen or a catering service, our allergen charts can be adapted to any professional context. What's more, some of our models include English translations, ideal for establishments with an international clientele. In this way, you can offer your customers clear information while complying with your regulatory obligations.
Food safety at the heart of your business
Allergen labelling is both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility for all foodservice professionals. So, a well-designed allergen panel is an essential investment rather than a mere expense. Certainly, protecting your customers from the risk of food allergies deserves your full attention.
Choosing the right support for your allergen list is crucial. Our Etal Shops display boards offer a complete solution that perfectly meets the requirements of the INCO regulation. Our varied range is suitable for all types of establishment, from gourmet restaurants to local bistros and school canteens.
The ease of use of our products will also save you precious time. For example, our erasable signs mean you don't have to reprint your documents every time you change a menu or recipe. This flexibility goes hand in hand with exceptional durability, making our boards an economical choice over the long term.
Don't risk your customers' health or your professional reputation. Choose a compliant and practical allergen chart from our Etal Shops website. Our team is at your disposal to guide you in your selection and ensure that you comply with all current regulatory obligations.
Food safety doesn't wait. Order your allergen chart today and effectively protect your customers while securing your business. In the end, this modest investment will bring you priceless peace of mind.
