Allergy Matrix - How to Improve on a template

The traditional allergy matrix template, allergy sheet, or allergy chart template is usually a paper-based form or in excel, where you tick each allergen element on a list. This is simple to achieve the job and is required in UK & EU law, but the actual business use and benefit from that data are limited.

Digitising this information allows your allergen matrix to be updated instantly and ensure that you can always provide accurate live allergen information to your customers and staff, mitigating miscommunication risks.

Legacy Allergy Matrix

This image shows a legacy allergy matrix, which is not customer facing or live.

UK & EU Laws on Allergens

In the UK & EU, laws regarding allergens are stringent, aiming to protect consumers with food allergies and intolerances. Key legislation includes:

Food Information Regulations 2014

Mandatory Allergen Information: Food businesses must provide information on 14 specified allergens. These allergens are:

1. Celery
2. Cereals containing gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats)
3. Crustaceans
4. Eggs
5. Fish
6. Lupin
7. Milk
8. Molluscs
9. Mustard
10. Tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, Queensland nuts)
11. Peanuts
12. Sesame seeds
13. Soybeans
14. Sulphur dioxide/sulphites

Labelling Requirements: Packaged foods must clearly list any of these allergens if they are present as ingredients. Allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list, often in bold or a different font.

Non-Prepacked Foods: For foods sold without packaging (e.g., in restaurants, cafes), allergen information must be available upon request, either orally or in writing.

Natasha's Law (2021)

Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS): Foods packed on the same premises where they are sold must have a full ingredients list with allergens emphasized. This law was introduced following the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered a fatal allergic reaction to a sandwich that did not have allergen information on its packaging.

Allergy Matrix

An allergy matrix is a tool used by food businesses to manage and communicate allergen information. It ensures compliance with allergen labelling laws and helps protect consumers with allergies. Here’s a breakdown of the information typically held on an allergy matrix:

1. Product Information: Details of the food item, including name and description.
   
   
2. Ingredients List: Comprehensive list of all ingredients used in the product, with allergens clearly indicated.
   
   
3. Allergen Presence: Identification of the 14 specified allergens if present in the product. This can include: Direct ingredients
   Cross-contamination risks during production
   Allergen traces from suppliers
   
   
4. Cross-Contamination Risks: Information on potential cross-contact during preparation or storage.
   
   
5. Supplier Information: Details about ingredient suppliers and their allergen control measures.
   
   
6. Preparation and Storage Instructions: Guidelines on how to handle and store the product to prevent allergen cross-contamination.
   
   
7. Allergen Handling Procedures: Steps for staff to follow to ensure safe handling and accurate communication of allergen information.
   
   
8. Customer Communication: Information on how to provide allergen information to customers, including signage and verbal communication protocols.
   
   

The risks for businesses and individuals

While specific cases of individuals being imprisoned for offences under the Food Information Regulations 2014 are relatively rare, there have been notable instances where business owners have faced legal action, including fines and imprisonment, particularly when breaches have led to severe consequences such as consumer harm or death.

Under the Food Information Regulations 2014, under Regulation 13: Offences it states the following:

This regulation specifies the offences under FIR 2014. A business or individual may commit an offence if they:
Fail to provide mandatory allergen information.
Provide inaccurate or misleading allergen information.

Under regulation 14: Penalties, it states the following:

Prosecution: If a business fails to comply with an improvement notice, or if the offence is severe, the business or individual owner may face prosecution. Convictions can lead to:

Fines: There can be significant financial penalties for non-compliance.

Other legal consequences: Depending on the severity and nature of the offence, further legal actions may be taken.

An effective allergy matrix helps ensure food safety and compliance with legal requirements, providing a clear and structured way to manage allergen information. Our Allergy Menu system manages all the data and communication for you in one simple system, significantly reducing the risk to your business and yourself.

How Allergy Menu Works

Changing your matrix to a digital version enables you to do so much more.

Updatable

It's easy to keep up to date your allergens, as you can easily change it at a moment's notice via your mobile phone.

Searchable

Easy to find the allergies in a dish by a simple search.

Communicate

You can easily communicate your allergy data to your customers and staff.

Accountable

Only the right person in your organisation can control this data, ensuring safety.

Reduce Risk

You can reduce the risk of deadly mistakes being made with your allergy data.