Do I Need to Display Allergen Information at Market Stalls in the UK?

Do I Need to Display Allergen Information at Market Stalls in the UK?

Food allergen labeling regulations apply to all food businesses in the UK, including market stalls, food festivals, and other temporary food venues. If you sell food at these locations, you must comply with allergen information requirements to protect consumers and meet your legal obligations.

Legal Requirements for Allergen Labeling at UK Market Stalls

The Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR) and Natasha's Law (which came into effect in October 2021) set out the allergen information requirements for all food businesses in the UK.

What Allergens Must Be Declared?

You must provide information about the presence of any of these 14 major allergens:

• Celery
• Cereals containing gluten
• Crustaceans
• Eggs
• Fish
• Lupin
• Milk
• Molluscs
• Mustard
• Nuts
• Peanuts
• Sesame seeds
• Soybeans
• Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (at concentrations above 10mg/kg)

Different Types of Food Sales at Market Stalls

The way you need to provide allergen information depends on how your food is packaged and sold:

1. 1Pre-Packed Food

If you sell pre-packed food that was packaged at another location before being placed on your stall:

• The name of the food
• A complete ingredients list
• Allergens clearly emphasized within the ingredients list (typically in bold text, which is the standard industry practice in the UK)

1. 1Pre-Packed for Direct Sale (PPDS)

Following Natasha's Law, if you package food items yourself on-site before displaying them for sale (e.g., sandwiches made and wrapped earlier that day):

• The name of the food
• A complete list of ingredients with allergens emphasized

1. 1Non-Pre-Packed (Loose) Food

For food that is not pre-packed or is served loose (e.g., hot food served from your stall):

• Written information on a menu, chalkboard, or information pack
• Clear signage telling customers how to obtain allergen information (e.g., "Please ask a member of staff about allergens")
• Verbally when asked (but you must have written information available to back this up)

Practical Steps for Market Stall Compliance

Prepare Your Allergen Information

1. 1Create an Allergen Matrix: Document all your products and which of the 14 allergens they contain. Keep this updated with any recipe changes.

1. 1Train Everyone Who Works at Your Stall: Make sure they know:

1. 1Consider Cross-Contamination Risks: If you cannot avoid the risk of cross-contamination, you should inform customers. Precautionary allergen labeling ("May contain [allergen]") is voluntary but should be based on a thorough risk assessment rather than used as a default warning.

How Allergenius Can Help Market Stall Holders

Managing allergen information at a market stall can be challenging, especially with limited space and changing menus. Allergenius offers a simple digital solution specifically designed for food businesses of all sizes, including market stalls:

• Digital Allergen Display: Create a digital menu with clear allergen information that customers can access via their smartphones by scanning a QR code at your stall.

• Easy Updates: Change your menu or ingredients on the go - all allergen information updates instantly across all platforms.

• Space-Saving Solution: No need for bulky allergen folders or multiple printed signs - just one small QR code displayed at your stall provides customers with complete allergen information.

• Professional Appearance: Enhance your market stall's professional image with a digital allergen solution that shows you take food safety seriously.

• Compliance Confidence: Rest assured that your allergen information meets UK regulations with Allergenius's compliance-focused design.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to provide accurate allergen information can result in:

• Fines and penalties from local authorities
• Damage to your business reputation
• Serious health risks to allergic consumers
• Potential legal action if someone suffers an allergic reaction

Common Questions from Market Stall Holders

Do I need to register as a food business if I only sell occasionally at markets?

Yes, if you sell food at any market, even occasionally, you must register as a food business with your local authority at least 28 days before you start trading.

What if my recipes change?

You must update your allergen information immediately whenever ingredients change - this can be easily managed within Allergenius.

What if I buy in products to resell?

You're still responsible for providing allergen information. Always check with your suppliers about allergens in their products.

What if I handle sampling at my stall?

Even for free samples, you must provide allergen information. With Allergenius, you can easily create a dedicated section for samples with their allergen information clearly displayed.