These resources help organise a conversation; they do not certify that food is safe or replace advice from a clinician, school, regulator or food business. Ask, check and confirm using information that is current for the exact product or situation.
Resource 01 · Eating out
Restaurant and takeaway question card
I have a serious allergy to: ______________________________
- Can you show me the current written allergen and ingredient information?
- Have any recipes, suppliers, garnishes, sauces or oils changed?
- How will my order be communicated to the person preparing it?
- Are shared fryers, utensils, worktops or other cross-contact routes involved?
- Can the completed order be clearly identified when it is served or delivered?
If the answer cannot be verified, I will not guess.
Resource 02 · School
Allergy-safety meeting prompts
- Where is the current allergy-safety policy and when was it reviewed?
- Who owns the individual healthcare plan and how are changes approved?
- Where is medication kept, who checks expiry dates and how is rapid access assured?
- How are catering, classroom food, celebrations, trips, transport and clubs covered?
- Which permanent, temporary and contracted staff receive allergy training?
- How will incidents and near misses be recorded, shared and investigated?
Resource 03 · Evidence
Allergen-information concern record
Date and time______________________________
Business and location______________________________
Product or order number______________________________
Batch, barcode or date code______________________________
Allergen concerned______________________________
Information shown or given______________________________
What happened:
Evidence retained: packaging / receipt / photographs / screenshots / correspondence / other
Resource 04 · Correspondence
Factual investigation-request template
Subject: Allergen-information concern — [product, branch or order]
I am contacting you about allergen information provided for [exact food or product] on [date] at [location or order reference].
The information available stated: [quote or describe exactly]. The concern is: [brief factual explanation]. I have retained [packaging, photographs, receipt or screenshots].
Please investigate the ingredients, current allergen information, preparation or packing process and any relevant batch or service records. Please confirm your findings, any corrective action and whether other customers or products may be affected.
This concern has also been reported to [official route, if applicable].
Need a different format?
Tell us which practical resource would help next.
Email contact@nothinglefttoguess.co.uk with a suggestion. We are particularly interested in the moments where unclear information currently forces people to guess.
Evidence base
Official sources
- FSA: Eating out or ordering food when you have an allergy Consumer questions and takeaway information
- Department for Education: Allergy safety in schools England’s statutory school guidance
- FSA: Report a food problem Official reporting routes