New FSA food allergen guidance: what every food business needs to know

Food allergen management is not just best practice - it can be lifesaving. Mismanagement of allergens can lead to severe health consequences, and that's why the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released updated guidance specifically for the out-of-home (OOH) sector.

This includes any food business that prepares and serves food outside the home, such as:

• Restaurants & cafes

• Market stalls & food trucks

• Canteens & leisure venues

• Schools, hospitals, care homes

• Online food providers

  
  

What is the Food Standards Agency allergen guidance?

The 2025 Food Standards Agency allergen guidance recommends all out-of-home food businesses providing non-prepacked or "loose" food share allergen information in writing providing information of the 14 allergens to consumers. This applies to both in-person and online food sales.

This should not replace staff asking about allergies - verbal communication is still key.

Instead, the goal is to enhance food safety by making allergen information clearer, more accessible, and more consistent. This supports people with food allergies or intolerances in making safer dining decisions.

Though not legally required, this best practice is a strong step toward safer, smarter allergen management.

How this benefits your food business

Following Food Standards Agency allergen best practice can directly benefit your business by:

• Supports compliance with UK food safety laws such as Natasha's Law

• Showcasing your due diligence in allergen management

• Build trust and transparency with customers - vital for loyalty and reputation

• Enabling staff confidence in handling allergy-related queries, reduce errors in allergen communication

• Providing consistency in allergen communication across the industry

Food Standards Agency resources

Food Standards Agency have free tools available such as printable posters to help support business with the implementation for this new allergen best practice. 

Ready to make allergen management effortless?

Correctly managing food allergens is a conscience for any food related business, discover how Hubl’s allergen feature can help you manage this with ease, keeping your business - and your customers - safe and confident.