Allergens and intolerances in the catering industry, know the keys to Regulation (EU) 1169/2011

The worst nightmare in the restaurant industry is for diners to become dissatisfied or sick in your restaurant, and especially if it is caused by an allergic reaction to an ingredient that wasn't supposed to be there. Informing about the allergens in your dishes is your best bet to protect diners from consuming foods they are allergic to, both for their well-being and for your own reputation. But... Is there food safety legislation that obliges you to do so? Yes, there is. We will see below what it consists of and what its key points are.

On October 25, 2011, the European Parliament and the Council adopted the Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. (hereinafter referred to as «the IAC Regulation»). The IAC Regulation amends the food labeling provisions previously in force in the Union to enable consumers to make informed choices and to use food safely.

6 top questions about Regulation 1169/2011

  • Who is affected by the regulation?
    This EU regulation affects all companies operating collectivities such as: restaurants, bars, cafeterias, bakeries, pastry shops, ice cream parlors, caterings, public canteens (schools, hospitals...), etc.

  • What allergens should you be informed about?
    Although there are an infinite number of substances or products that can cause allergies or intolerances, the Regulation mentions only 14 substances or products (allergens)1 that must be declared when used as ingredients in a food.

  • How should the information be provided?
    There are several ways of providing information to consumers and food businesses are free to choose the most appropriate method for their business. Information can be provided in written or oral form and, in the latter case, the operator should also have the information available in written or electronic form.

  • Is staff training necessary?
    Yes, in all cases and for all food handlers. All workers of the establishment must know the diseases, their risks, the law, their obligations and the methods of keeping under rigorous control the ingredients of each dish.

  • Is it possible to claim ignorance of the regulations?
    No, ignorance is not an excuse. The change in legislation means that it is no longer possible to claim ignorance of the allergens incorporated as ingredients in the food supplied. However, sometimes it will not be possible to avoid cross-contamination and companies may voluntarily warn of this risk. This is known as warning labeling and usually takes the form of statements such as “May contain traces of [allergen]”. The IAC Regulation does not prohibit the use of such wording, but it is up to companies to decide on a voluntary basis how to do so.

  • What are the consequences of non-compliance?
    The health of thousands of people depends on the correct application of this IAC Regulation. Therefore, the need to comply with it is a double obligation: to avoid public health problems and also administrative consequences, since non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties (from 5,000 € to 600,000 €) depending on the severity.

How Refoodlution can help you

Our technology is designed for restaurants in order to inform about the allergens contained in the products they offer to their customers. Our mission is to ensure the proper functioning of the restaurant, thus complying with the IAC Regulation. For this reason, we offer a digital menu, dynamic and fully customized, without eliminating the traditional menu. Contact us and discover everything we can do to make your restaurant comply with the regulations in a totally digital and innovative way.