What are the 14 main allergens?

Food and drink businesses have a legal requirement to inform customers which of the 14 major allergens listed by the Food Standards Agency are present in their menu items.

An estimated two million people in the UK suffer from food allergies, and coming into contact with a specific allergen can have potentially fatal consequences for people. Therefore it is imperative to correctly identify and understand what these 14 allergens are, and where they are most commonly found.

Let’s run through the FSA’s list of the 14 major allergens & some examples of where they can be found:

1. Celery
This includes celery stalks, leaves, seeds and the root called celeriac. You can find celery in celery salt, salads, some meat products, soups and stock cubes.

2. Cereals containing gluten
Wheat (such as spelt and Khorasan wheat/Kamut), rye, barley and oats is often found in foods containing flour, such as some types of baking powder, batter, breadcrumbs, bread, cakes, couscous, meat products, pasta, pastry, sauces, soups and fried foods which are dusted with flour.

3. Crustaceans
Crabs, lobster, prawns and scampi are crustaceans. Shrimp paste, often used in Thai and South-East Asian curries or salads, is an ingredient to look out for.

4. Eggs
Eggs are often found in cakes, some meat products, mayonnaise, mousses, pasta, quiche, sauces and pastries or foods brushed or glazed with egg.

5. Fish
You will find this in some fish sauces, pizzas, relishes, salad dressings, stock cubes and Worcestershire sauce.

6. Lupin
Yes, lupin is a flower, but it’s also found in flour! Lupin flour and seeds can be used in some types of bread, pastries and even in pasta.

7. Milk
Milk is a common ingredient in butter, cheese, cream, milk powders & yoghurt. It can also be found in foods brushed or glazed with milk, and in powdered soups & sauces.

8. Molluscs
These include mussels, land snails, squid and whelks, but can also be commonly found in oyster sauce or as an ingredient in fish stews.

9. Mustard
Liquid mustard, mustard powder and mustard seeds fall into this category. This ingredient can also be found in breads, curries, marinades, meat products, salad dressings, sauces and soups.

10. Nuts
Not to be mistaken with peanuts (which are actually a legume and grow underground), this ingredient refers to nuts which grow on trees, like cashew nuts, almonds and hazelnuts. You can find nuts in breads, biscuits, crackers, desserts, nut powders (often used in Asian curries), stir-fried dishes, ice cream, marzipan (almond paste), nut oils and sauces.

11. Peanuts
Peanuts are actually a legume, and grow underground, which is why it’s sometimes called a groundnut. Peanuts are often used as an ingredient in biscuits, cakes, curries, desserts, sauces (such as satay sauce), as well as in groundnut oil and peanut flour.

12. Sesame Seeds
These seeds can often be found in bread (sprinkled on hamburger buns for example), breadsticks, houmous, sesame oil and tahini. They are sometimes toasted and used in salads.

13. Soya
Often found in bean curd, edamame beans, miso paste, textured soya protein, soya flour or tofu, soya is a staple ingredient in oriental food. It can also be found in desserts, ice cream, meat products, sauces and vegetarian products.

14. Sulphur Dioxide (sometimes known as sulphites)
This is an ingredient often used in dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. You might also find it in meat products, soft drinks, vegetables as well as in wine and beer. If you have asthma, you have a higher risk of developing a reaction to sulphur dioxide.

Understanding what the 14 main allergens are and where they are found is vital, and next it is time to look out how to effectively manage these allergens within the business. NCASS has a range of allergen related content and resources available at our Allergen Hub. We also have a comprehensive training course on allergens so that you can rest assured that you are taking all of the necessary steps to keep your customers, your staff and your business safe. Find more information on our Allergen Awareness training course here.