Identify the Allergens in your Menu

Posted by Andrea G on 3rd Aug 2022

Identify the Allergens in your Menu

In current times you hear more about common foods that cause allergies, so you know how to identify them in a restaurant. It's important to make it clear to your clients the types of common food allergens that may be present in each preparation. This will prevent your clients from possible allergic reactions caused by ingesting any foods they may be allergic to.

Food safety should be a priority for every restaurant, you certainly don't want to risk a sticky situation with customers who are susceptible to allergic reactions. Therefore, it is the responsibility of your business to declare the existence of one or more of the most common allergens on the menu.

With this simple action you will ensure that your guests can enjoy a meal without unwanted consequences, and you will earn their loyalty.

Food allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to certain proteins in food. Food allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms involving hives and lip swelling to severe, life-threatening symptoms, often called anaphylaxis, that may involve fatal respiratory problems and shock.

First, you must identify which are the allergenic foods and their possible reactions

Once these foods have been identified, carefully analyze all the recipes of the dishes on your menu with your chef. Identify which ones contain allergenic foods and which ones they are, then indicate it to your customers on the menu. You can follow any of these tips:

  • Icons: you can use small drawings next to the name of the dish or at the end of its description to identify each allergenic food and at the end of the menu explain what each icon means.

  • Keywords: another option is to include a note with the allergenic ingredients contained in the dish at the end of the description of the meal.
  • QR codes: new technologies also allow you to present your customers with a QR code with informative details of the allergens in each dish. You can include it on your web page and make it clear in your menu that this code contains this information so that it does not go unnoticed by those who find it important to know it.
  • Be Prepared to Solve

    Obviously, no one wants a customer to have an allergic reaction in your establishment. In the instance of an unwanted event, it is best to be aware of what can happen, be prepared, and remain calm. It is also recommended that your staff know how to react calmly and seek medical support in a situation like this. So, the outcome will be favorable.

    Do everything in your power so that your menu properly reports on this issue and thus avoids any shock or dissatisfaction from your customers.