UK food-allergy glossary.

Food-allergy terms from A to Z

Allergen

A substance capable of triggering an allergic reaction. UK food-information rules identify 14 allergen categories that require mandatory information when used as ingredients.

Allergen matrix

A table showing which regulated allergens are intentionally present in menu items or recipes. It may not, by itself, describe cross-contact risk.

Anaphylaxis

A serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate emergency action. Follow the person’s emergency plan, use an adrenaline auto-injector if available and call 999.

Cross-contact

The unintended transfer of an allergen from one food, surface, utensil or process to another food. It is also commonly called allergen cross-contamination.

Free-from claim

A claim that a food is suitable for people avoiding a named allergen. It requires strict controls appropriate to the assurance being made.

Food allergy

An immune-system reaction to a food. It is different from food intolerance, although both can require accurate ingredient information.

Food intolerance

Difficulty digesting or reacting to a food without the same immune mechanism as a food allergy. Symptoms and management vary and require appropriate clinical advice.

Natasha’s Law

The commonly used name for the October 2021 changes requiring PPDS food to display the food name and a full ingredients list with regulated allergens emphasised.

Non-prepacked food

Food sold without packaging, or packed at the consumer’s request—for example many restaurant meals, bakery-counter items and loose foods.

PAL

Precautionary allergen labelling: voluntary wording such as “may contain” used to communicate a possible unintended presence after risk assessment.

PPDS

Prepacked for direct sale food: food packed before the customer chooses it, at the same premises from which it is offered or sold.

Prepacked food

Food placed in packaging before being offered for sale, where the contents cannot be changed without opening or altering the packaging.

Regulated 14

The 14 allergen categories for which UK rules require information when they are intentionally used as ingredients. The list does not cover every food capable of causing an allergy.

Tree nuts

For UK mandatory allergen information: almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew, pecan, Brazil nut, pistachio and macadamia. Peanut is a separate regulated category.