Germany: allergens

“Law” is a binding rule. “Official guidance” is not law, but inspectors expect it. “Chef Hygiene default” is a value the app checks against where no rule gives a number.

• LawThe 14 EU allergens: cereals with gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin and molluscs.
• LawFor food that is not prepacked, tell guests before the sale, in German. Do it in writing (menu, sign, notice or screen) (LMIDV § 4).
• LawTelling guests by word of mouth is allowed only if a written or electronic ingredient record exists, the authority and guests can see it on request, and a clear notice says so (LMIDV § 4).
• LawSome additives must also be named on menus, for example “mit Farbstoff” (with colouring) and “mit Konservierungsstoff” (with preservative) (LMZDV § 5).