Template: allergen matrix for the assortment
Map the 14 labelling-required allergens across your products
According to EU's food information regulation (1169/2011), the kitchen must be able to inform which of the 14 labeling-required allergens are included in the food served — even when the food is not pre-packaged. This template collects allergen management in three places: a matrix per dish, fixed production routines, and an answer procedure. Update the matrix each time a recipe or supplier product changes.
§The 14 allergens (columns)
- 011 Gluten · 2 Crustaceans · 3 Eggs · 4 Fish · 5 Peanuts · 6 Soy · 7 Milk
- 028 Celery · 9 Mustard · 10 Sesame · 11 Sulphur dioxide/sulphites · 12 Lupin · 13 Molluscs · 14 Nuts
§Matrix (mark X where the allergen is included)
| Product | Gluten | Æg | Milk | Nuts. | Sesame | Soya | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ____________ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| ____________ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| ____________ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| ____________ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| ____________ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
§Responsibility and updates
- 01Responsible for the matrix: ____________________
- 02Last updated: ______ (date)
- 03Checked against current recipes: Yes ___ / No ___
- 04New personnel trained in matrix use: Yes ___ / No ___
§For customer inquiry about allergy
- 01Look up the product in the matrix — answer based on it, not from memory.
- 02If in doubt: say it honestly rather than guess.
- 03Refer to the responsible party if the information is not found in the matrix.
“For a customer with an allergy a wrong answer can be dangerous. The matrix is there so no one has to guess.”
— Food safety in store