Allergen labelling at the buffet: the 14 major allergens and how to display them

At a buffet, guests must be informed about the 14 major allergens of the EU Food Information Regulation. The easiest way is buffet cards: the dish name on the front, ingredients and allergens on the back. Catering Cat creates such cards from reviewed ingredient and allergen data and prints 4 fold-over table cards (100 × 139 mm, folded 100 × 69.5 mm) per A4 sheet.

Which allergens must be declared?

Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 lists 14 substances or groups that can cause allergies or intolerances:

Cereals containing gluten (wheat incl. spelt and khorasan, rye, barley, oats)
Crustaceans
Eggs
Fish
Peanuts
Soybeans
Milk (including lactose)
Tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts)
Celery
Mustard
Sesame seeds
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/l)
Lupin
Molluscs

Does this apply to buffets and non-prepacked food?

Yes. For non-prepacked food – at a buffet, in a canteen or at a catered event – guests must also be informed about the major allergens. In Germany, the details are set out in the LMIDV, e.g. whether information may be written or given orally with written documentation. When in doubt, check the current rules with your local food authority.

How to show allergens on buffet cards

Full names (recommended): “Cereals containing gluten (wheat), milk, eggs” – clearest for guests.
Short names: “Gluten (wheat), milk, egg” – more compact.
Letter codes (A–N): common but not legally uniform – only with a clearly visible legend.
Name the cereal or nut type when known (e.g. wheat, hazelnuts).
Never present missing information as “allergen-free”.

Checklist for catering and restaurants

Record all ingredients of every dish – including sauces, spice mixes and stocks.
Store allergens per ingredient and check supplier information regularly.
Update the declaration immediately when a recipe changes.
Have the declaration approved by a responsible person.
Place buffet cards where guests can read them easily.
Document what was printed and when.

How Catering Cat helps

Catering Cat is a web app for catering, hotels, restaurants and canteens. Ingredients are created once with their allergens; dishes get allergen suggestions that an authorised person reviews and approves. If an ingredient changes, the dish must be reviewed again. Printing is single-sided on portrait A4: 4 fold-over cards of 100 × 139 mm that fold into standing cards of 100 × 69.5 mm, with cut and fold lines; optionally laid out for 4-up label sheets. Every print job stores immutable copies of the printed information.

Catering Cat is not legal advice and not a certified compliance solution – the business remains responsible for correct information.

Frequently asked questions

How many major allergens are there?

The EU Food Information Regulation lists 14 major allergens or allergen groups.

Do I have to list every ingredient at a buffet?

Information on the 14 major allergens is mandatory. A full ingredient list is usually not required for non-prepacked food but is appreciated by guests – Catering Cat prints it on the back of the card.

Are letter codes like “A, G” allowed?

Codes are common but not uniformly regulated. Guests must easily understand them – always provide a legend.

Ready for your next buffet?

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Catering Cat supports the management of allergen information and does not replace a legal review.