Precautionary allergen labelling—often shortened to PAL—communicates a different risk from the ingredients list. The ingredients list covers what was intentionally used. PAL concerns an allergen that may be unintentionally present because of cross-contact.
Three things a may-contain label tells you
The allergen is not an intended ingredient
If it were intentionally used and fell within the regulated list, it should be declared through the required allergen information.
A possible cross-contact route exists
This might involve shared equipment, production areas, handling or another part of the supply chain.
The remaining risk cannot be removed
FSA guidance says PAL should follow a thorough risk assessment and be used where the risk is real and cannot be eliminated.
What it does not tell you
A may-contain statement does not mean the product definitely contains the allergen. Equally, the absence of a may-contain statement is not automatically a guarantee that the product is suitable for a particular person.
Wording alone does not give a consumer a reliable numerical measure of likelihood or severity. Your clinician or allergy team should guide how precautionary labels fit within your personal avoidance and emergency plan.
Ingredients information
“Contains” through the ingredients list
Communicates that a regulated allergen has intentionally been used as an ingredient and must be declared according to the relevant food-format rules.
Precautionary information
“May contain”
Communicates a possible unintended presence caused by an unavoidable cross-contact risk identified through assessment.
Free-from claim
“Free from”
FSA guidance treats this as an assurance that the product is suitable for people with that allergy, supported by strict controls to prevent contamination.
Why our campaign cares
Blanket warnings can remove choice without creating real clarity.
Nothing Left to Guess asks businesses to use precise, allergen-specific and risk-based wording. Precautionary labels should communicate a genuine residual risk—not replace effective controls or become a catch-all disclaimer.
Read the Nuts About No Nuts campaign →Questions worth asking
- Which exact allergen or named nut does the warning cover?
- Is the warning current for this product, pack size and recipe?
- Can the manufacturer explain whether the wording follows a risk assessment?
- Has the product changed since you last bought it?
Evidence base
Official sources
- FSA technical guidance: Food allergen labelling and information requirements Precautionary allergen labelling and free-from guidance
- FSA: Allergen labelling for food manufacturers Risk-assessment guidance
- GOV.UK: Precautionary allergen labelling