LMIDV: allergen labelling for non-prepacked food in Germany – card, menu, notice or verbal?

Last updated: 12 November 2026 · Catering Cat editorial team

The LMIDV is Germany's implementing regulation for the EU Food Information Regulation. For non-prepacked food – at a buffet, in a canteen, at a bakery counter or in catering – it requires that guests are informed about the major allergens before purchase and before handover. Allowed are a card at the food, the menu, a notice in the premises, other written or electronic information with a pointer to it – or verbal information if written documentation exists and guests are told about it.

What is the LMIDV?

The “Lebensmittelinformations-Durchführungsverordnung” (LMIDV) sets out details in Germany that Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 leaves to the member states. It has applied since 13 July 2017 and has been amended several times since. For hospitality and catering, the part on non-prepacked food matters most.

Which food does the duty cover?

The rules for loose food apply to food supplied to consumers or to mass caterers that is

offered for sale without packaging (e.g. buffet, counter, serving line),
packed at the point of sale at the customer's request (e.g. a sandwich to take away), or
prepacked for direct sale and not offered for self-service.

Which information is mandatory?

Mandatory is information on ingredients and processing aids that can cause allergies or intolerances – the 14 major allergens of Annex II. A full ingredient list is usually not required for loose food. The information must be in German, clearly visible, legible and clearly linked to the respective food, and must not be obscured.

Which forms of information are allowed?

In all cases the information must be available before the purchase is concluded and before the food is handed over.

Form	Condition	Typical for
Card on or next to the food	Clearly visible, linked to the dish	Buffet, counter, salad bar
Menu, drinks list, price list	Footnotes are allowed if clearly referenced	Restaurant, canteen menu
Notice in the premises	Assignment to individual dishes must be clear	Canteen, snack bar, bakery
Other written or electronic information (e.g. folder, tablet, QR code)	Directly and easily accessible, plus a notice at the food or on display saying where to find it	Changing offer, digital menu
Verbal information	See next section: documentation, notice, information before purchase	Small businesses with trained staff

Conditions for verbal information

The business or trained staff provide it on request without delay, before purchase and before handover.
A written or electronic record of the ingredients and processing aids used exists.
This record is directly and easily accessible to the authority and, on request, to guests.
A clearly visible notice at the food or on display says that allergen information is given verbally and that the written record can be viewed on request.

Delivery services and online orders

If loose food is offered via distance communication – a website, app or phone – the allergen information must be available before the contract is concluded, i.e. when ordering.

What are the consequences of breaches?

Supplying loose food without the required allergen information can be fined under the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB). Inspections are carried out by the local food control authority. Beyond fines, it is above all about guests' health.

In practice: what suits which business?

Buffet and catering: buffet cards at every dish are clearest – guests don't have to ask.
Canteen: allergens in the menu plan (with a legend) plus cards at the counter for freely combinable components.
Restaurant: allergens in the menu via footnotes or codes with a clearly visible legend.
Verbal information only if the documentation is really up to date and staff are trained.

Frequently asked questions

Is it enough if staff answer on request?

Only under conditions: a written or electronic record of ingredients must exist and be easily accessible to the authority and guests, and a clearly visible notice must point this out. The information must be given before purchase and handover.

Do I have to list all ingredients for loose food?

The 14 major allergens are mandatory. A full ingredient list is usually not required for loose food – though many guests appreciate it.

May I provide allergens via a QR code?

Electronic information is possible if it is directly and easily accessible and a notice at the food or on display says where to find it.

Does the LMIDV apply to club events?

The duties apply to food business operators. Whether an event falls under this depends on the case – when in doubt, ask the local food control authority.

More about these allergens

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