The importance of allergen labelling: building trust and protecting customers

At Epos Ready, we understand how critical it is for hospitality and retail businesses to provide accurate allergen information. Since 2014, UK law has required businesses to declare any of the 14 major allergens on product packaging and at the point of sale. These allergens can cause severe, potentially life-threatening reactions, making clear communication an essential part of protecting your customers.

For businesses managing extensive product ranges, identifying and communicating allergens can be time-consuming. However, with the right systems, the process becomes straightforward. Epos Ready’s tailored EPoS solutions, powered by ICRTouch technology, make updating allergen information simple and efficient by automating key tasks.

Which allergens must be declared?

UK legislation identifies 14 allergens that businesses are legally required to display:

• Celery
• Cereals containing gluten
• Crustaceans
• Eggs
• Fish
• Lupin
• Milk
• Molluscs
• Mustard
• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Sesame seeds
• Soybeans
• Sulphur dioxide (sulphites)

You can use icons or symbols to indicate allergens, but it’s important to pair them with clear text to ensure customers fully understand the information.

Why is allergen communication good for business?

 In addition to meeting legal requirements, strong allergen communication offers a competitive edge. According to research by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), around 2.4 million people in the UK have food allergies. This highlights a significant market opportunity for businesses that prioritise allergen awareness.

Moreover, customer loyalty is directly linked to trust. The FSA found that 59% of young people are likely to return to an establishment where they’ve safely eaten before. By effectively managing and communicating allergen information, businesses not only protect their customers but also enhance trust and encourage repeat visits.

How can epos ready help you manage allergens?

Epos Ready provides innovative EPoS systems designed to simplify allergen management for hospitality and retail businesses. Powered by ICRTouch, our solutions include built-in allergen features that make compliance easy.

With our Cloud-based business management software, all 14 major allergens are preloaded, allowing you to add them to products with a single click. Whenever a product containing allergens is selected, an on-screen alert ensures staff and customers are notified. For added flexibility, Cloud-based business management software also allows you to include additional allergens beyond the standard list.

This allergen information is seamlessly integrated across all sales channels, including Till screen till software, Digital waiter pads, new portable EPoS solution - TouchPoint lite, Self Service kiosk, Order at table solution, and Online ordering. In self-service environments, these automated alerts are especially vital, ensuring customers are informed about allergens while allowing them to add specific preparation instructions if needed.

For custom food items like sandwiches or smoothies, allergen labels can be printed directly onto packaging, enabling customers to review allergen information before consumption. This feature is particularly important in settings where customers don’t interact with staff - an increasingly common scenario in today’s fast-paced hospitality industry.

By partnering with Epos Ready, you can streamline allergen management, protect your customers, and build trust, all while enhancing operational efficiency. Contact us now for more information.