In the European Union, food businesses must be able to tell customers which of the 14 regulated allergens are present in each dish. Many restaurants handle this on paper in the dining room, but more and more customers check online before they book. Showing allergens on your website builds trust and saves time for your staff.
This article is practical advice, not legal advice: check the exact rules that apply in your country.
The 14 allergens
Cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulphur dioxide and sulphites, lupin, and molluscs.
How to display them without cluttering the menu
- Small icons or short labels under each dish, not long paragraphs.
- A consistent order so regular customers know where to look.
- A legend or tooltips explaining each icon.
- A clear note inviting customers to ask staff about cross-contamination.
Keep it up to date
The biggest risk is an online menu that does not match the kitchen. When a recipe changes, update the dish right away. That is far easier when your menu is real content on your site rather than a PDF that has to be redesigned.
Doing it in WordPress
With Menucard, every dish has the 14 allergens as checkboxes. They appear under the dish on the menu, along with dietary badges like vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. You can see how it looks on the live menu demo, and follow our guide on creating a restaurant menu in WordPress for the full setup.
Bonus: dietary badges help you get found
Visitors searching for “gluten-free restaurant” or “vegan options” are often ready to book. Clear labels on your menu, as real text, help both those visitors and search engines understand what you offer.
A practical workflow for your kitchen and your website
Allergen information is only useful if it is accurate. The website should reflect the same source of truth as the kitchen. A simple workflow avoids mistakes:
- Keep one allergen sheet per dish, filled in by the chef from the actual recipes and supplier labels.
- Update the website at the same time as the printed menu, never one without the other.
- Re-check dishes whenever a supplier or an ingredient changes. A different brand of sauce can introduce a new allergen.
- Keep a dated record of changes so you can answer questions from guests or inspectors.
Wording that protects guests and your business
Be clear and factual. Use the official allergen names, show them next to each dish, and add a short note near the top of the menu inviting guests with allergies to speak to staff before ordering. If cross-contamination is possible in your kitchen, say so plainly. This kind of transparency reassures guests far more than a vague “please ask”.
Make it readable on phones
Most guests check the menu on a phone, often while standing outside. Icons or short codes next to each dish are easier to scan than long lists. Include a legend at the top, keep contrast high and avoid putting allergen information only inside images or PDF files, which are hard to read on small screens and cannot be read by screen readers.
Turn compliance into a reason to choose you
People with allergies or dietary restrictions research restaurants carefully before going out, and they recommend the places where they felt safe. Clear allergen and dietary badges (vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free) help them pick you. Mention these options in your page introduction and on your Google Business Profile so people searching for “gluten-free restaurant near me” can find you.
To publish a menu with allergen badges in a few minutes, read how to create a restaurant menu in WordPress or open the MenuCard demo.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to show allergens online?
Rules vary by country. In the EU, allergen information must be available to customers; showing it online as well is a good practice. Check your local regulations.
How do I show allergens without cluttering the menu?
Use small icons or short labels under each dish, always in the same order, with a legend.
What about cross-contamination?
Add a clear note inviting customers with allergies to talk to your staff before ordering.