Food allergen guides for restaurants

What each allergen is, where it hides in a restaurant kitchen, and how to declare it so a guest can choose safely before they order. Written for operators in Malta and the wider EU, with the sources linked on every page.

• The top 8 allergens vs the EU 14The US 'big 8', the sesame update and how both map to the EU list.
• The most common food allergiesWhich allergies are most common at each age, and where they hide on a menu.
• Food allergy vs intoleranceImmune reaction, digestive problem or autoimmune disease, explained simply.
• Milk allergy and hidden milk in restaurant foodMilk protein allergy, hidden dairy in dishes and safe service.
• Soy allergy and common foods with soySoy sauce, tofu, lecithin and the less obvious sources.
• Egg allergy and hidden egg in dishesEgg wash, fresh pasta, sauces, wine fining and other hidden sources.
• Peanut allergy and hidden peanutsGroundnut oil, satay, sauces and cross-contact in the kitchen.
• Tree nut allergy and hidden nutsWhich nuts EU law names, which it doesn't, and where they hide.
• Sesame allergy and foods containing sesameTahini, hummus, halva, sesame oil and seeded breads.
• Wheat allergy, coeliac disease and glutenWhich cereals contain gluten and how kitchens avoid cross-contact.
• Shellfish allergy: crustaceans and molluscsPrawns, crab and lobster vs mussels, squid and octopus.
• Fruit and vegetable allergiesWhy some guests react to peach, apple, kiwi or celery.
• Fish allergy and hidden fishAnchovy, fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce and shared fryers.
• Mollusc allergy: squid, octopus and musselsThe EU's fourteenth allergen, and where it hides.
• Celery allergy and hidden celeryStock, soffritto, soups and spice blends.
• Mustard allergy and hidden mustardVinaigrettes, mayonnaise, marinades and curry spices.
• Lupin allergy and lupin flourThe least-known EU allergen, found in flours and gluten-free foods.
• Sulphites in wine, dried fruit and foodThe 10 mg/kg rule and where sulphites come from.
• Allergen matrix template for restaurantsColumns, rows, components and the update routine.
• Allergen training for restaurant staffFront of house, kitchen, bar and emergencies.
• Preventing allergen cross-contact in kitchensStorage, prep, cleaning, fryers, garnishes and the pass.
• Shared fryers and allergen cross-contactHow fryer oil carries allergens into chips and fried food.
• How to take an allergy orderFrom asking the guest to serving the dish safely.
• Responding to anaphylaxis in a restaurantSigns, calling 112, auto-injectors and positioning.
• Allergen notices and signpostingExample wording and where guests will actually see it.
• Allergens at buffetsLabels, utensils, layout and replenishment at self-service.
• Children's menus and food allergiesCommon childhood allergies and hidden allergens in kids' dishes.
• Allergens at events and weddingsCollecting allergies, labelled meals and canapé service.
• Managing supplier allergen informationSpecs, delivery checks and the substitution trap.
• Monthly restaurant allergen auditRecords, labels, staff tests and kitchen controls.
• Italian food allergensWhere allergens hide in Italian dishes.
• Maltese food allergensWhere allergens hide in Maltese dishes.
• Indian food allergensWhere allergens hide in Indian dishes.
• Chinese food allergensWhere allergens hide in Chinese dishes.
• Thai food allergensWhere allergens hide in Thai dishes.
• Japanese food allergensWhere allergens hide in Japanese dishes.
• Greek food allergensWhere allergens hide in Greek dishes.
• Turkish food allergensWhere allergens hide in Turkish dishes.
• Mexican food allergensWhere allergens hide in Mexican dishes.
• Spanish food allergensWhere allergens hide in Spanish dishes.
• French food allergensWhere allergens hide in French dishes.
• Lebanese food allergensWhere allergens hide in Lebanese dishes.
• Allergens in carbonaraWhich allergens carbonara usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in tiramisuWhich allergens tiramisu usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in pestoWhich allergens pesto usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in lasagneWhich allergens lasagne usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in risottoWhich allergens risotto usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in pastizziWhich allergens pastizzi usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in timpanaWhich allergens timpana usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in Maltese ftiraWhich allergens Maltese ftira usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in aljottaWhich allergens aljotta usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in Maltese rabbit stewWhich allergens Maltese rabbit stew usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in paellaWhich allergens paella usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in pad thaiWhich allergens pad thai usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in hummusWhich allergens hummus usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in Caesar saladWhich allergens Caesar salad usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in imqarrun il-fornWhich allergens imqarrun il-forn usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in moussakaWhich allergens moussaka usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in falafelWhich allergens falafel usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in baklavaWhich allergens baklava usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in fish and chipsWhich allergens fish and chips usually contains, and which versions differ.
• Allergens in burgersWhich allergens burgers usually contains, and which versions differ.
• The 14 allergensEvery declarable allergen under EU Regulation 1169/2011.
• The 14 allergens in Maltese and EnglishBilingual allergen wording you can put straight on a menu.
• EU 1169/2011 explainedWhat the regulation actually requires of a Maltese restaurant.
• Allergen compliance checklistA pass-or-fail list to run before an inspection.
• Allergen menus in MaltaHow to present allergens per dish without a second printed card.