Guides › Takeaways, Restaurants and Food Delivery › Takeaway or Restaurant Gave Wrong Allergen Information
Takeaway or Restaurant Gave Wrong Allergen Information
Restaurants, cafés and takeaways must give you allergen information about the 14 main allergens. For takeaways and delivery, it must be available both when you order and when the food arrives. Report missing or incorrect allergen information to your council's food safety team. In an emergency, call 999.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Allergen Information
The Rules
Food law identifies 14 allergens. Restaurants and cafés must provide allergen information, in writing or verbally (if verbal, they must signpost where it is). Ordering a takeaway is distance selling, so allergen information must be available when you order and when the food is delivered. Prepacked for direct sale food needs a full ingredients label with allergens emphasised. source
Reporting
Report unavailable or incorrect allergen information to your local council's food safety team. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Straight awayGet medical help if you reactCall 999 in an emergency
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
If you have a reaction, get medical help first.
Step 2 of 5
Keep the packaging, receipt and order details.
Step 3 of 5
Report it to your council's food safety team.
Step 4 of 5
Complain to the business in writing.
Step 5 of 5
For a refund, ask the business or the delivery app.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Medical Help
Call 999 in an emergency.
Your Council Food Safety Team
Report missing or wrong allergen information.
The Business
Complain in writing.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Always tell staff about allergies when you order.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/government/publications/food-allergy-and-intolerance-advice-for-consumers/food-allergy-and-intolerance-advice-for-consumers Checked 13 October 2026
- gov.uk/find-your-local-food-safety-team Checked 13 October 2026