Food allergy restaurant rules by country
A country-by-country comparison of packaged-food and restaurant allergen disclosure rules for allergy diners.
At a glance
- A country-by-country comparison of packaged-food and restaurant allergen disclosure rules for allergy diners.
- Check the official source because rules and food-service practice can change.
- Log what staff said and what happened later so the next visit starts with better evidence.
The main difference
Restaurant allergy expectations change by country. As of the last review, the UK and EU require restaurants or food businesses to provide information on 14 regulated allergens. The United States, Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong do not require restaurant allergen disclosure in the same way. Australia requires food businesses selling unpackaged food to provide allergen information on request.
This changes how you behave at the table. In the UK or EU, a silent menu does not mean the restaurant has no duty to answer. In the US, Canada, Japan, or Hong Kong, a good answer is often voluntary process, chain policy, or staff training. In Australia, ask for the allergen information and still confirm the dish and equipment.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Rules change; always verify with the official source.
Comparison table
| Country | Packaged-food allergen list | Restaurant disclosure required? | What to expect when you ask staff | Emergency number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 9 major allergens | No federal restaurant disclosure requirement | Practices vary by state and restaurant | 911 |
| Canada | Priority allergens, broader than the US list | No mandatory restaurant disclosure | Ask directly and expect practices to vary | 911 |
| United Kingdom | 14 regulated allergens for relevant foods | Restaurants must provide 14-allergen information | You can legally expect an answer | 999 |
| European Union | 14 regulated allergens | Restaurants must disclose 14 allergens | Form varies by member state | 112 |
| Japan | 8 mandatory items plus recommended items | Restaurants are exempt from allergen labeling law | Use chain matrices and a written Japanese allergy card | 119 |
| Hong Kong | 8 allergen categories | No restaurant disclosure requirement | Use English where it works and a Traditional Chinese card elsewhere | 999 |
| Australia | Standardized allergen names under PEAL | Unpackaged-food sellers must provide allergen information on request | Ask directly; food-service allergy training is common | 000 |
| Singapore | Packaged food labeling under the Singapore Food Agency | No restaurant disclosure mandate | Ask directly and expect practices to vary by setting | 995 |
| New Zealand | Standardized allergen labeling under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code | Unpackaged-food allergen information on request per the shared Code | Ask for allergen information and still confirm the dish and equipment | 111 |
Common allergens by place
Legal disclosure rules do not tell you which ingredients are common in a cuisine. Use this table to choose which allergens to ask about first, then open the guide for where they may appear.
| Place or cuisine | Common allergens to verify | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand and Thai restaurants | peanut, shellfish, fish, soy, egg, coconut | Open guide |
| Japan and Japanese restaurants | wheat/gluten, soy, fish, shellfish, egg, dairy, peanut, tree nut | Open guide |
| Hong Kong and Cantonese restaurants | shellfish, fish, soy, wheat/gluten, peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy | Open guide |
| China and regional Chinese restaurants | shellfish, soy, wheat/gluten, sesame, peanut, tree nut, egg | Open guide |
| Singapore food courts and hawker centres | shellfish, fish, soy, wheat/gluten, egg, peanut, tree nut | Open guide |
| Vietnam and Vietnamese restaurants | peanut, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat/gluten, egg | Open guide |
| India and Indian restaurants | dairy, tree nut, peanut, sesame, wheat/gluten, legumes | Open guide |
| Indonesia, Bali, and Indonesian restaurants | peanut, shellfish, fish, soy, egg, coconut | Open guide |
| South Korea and Korean restaurants | sesame, soy, wheat/gluten, shellfish, fish, egg | Open guide |
| Taiwan night markets and local restaurants | peanut, sesame, soy, wheat/gluten, shellfish, egg | Open guide |
| United States and Canada | peanut, tree nut, sesame, wheat/gluten, dairy, egg, mustard, sulphites | Open guide |
| UK, EU, and Australia | wheat/gluten, dairy, egg, tree nut, peanut, sesame, fish, shellfish | Open guide |
| Mexico and Mexican restaurants | dairy, wheat/gluten, egg, peanut, tree nut, shellfish | Open guide |
| Italy and Italian restaurants | wheat/gluten, dairy, egg, tree nut, fish, shellfish | Open guide |
Country notes
United States
Packaged food: 9 major allergens. Restaurant rule: No federal restaurant disclosure requirement. Emergency number: 911.
Read the country guideCanada
Packaged food: Priority allergens, broader than the US list. Restaurant rule: No mandatory restaurant disclosure. Emergency number: 911.
Read the country guideUnited Kingdom
Packaged food: 14 regulated allergens for relevant foods. Restaurant rule: Restaurants must provide 14-allergen information. Emergency number: 999.
Read the country guideEuropean Union
Packaged food: 14 regulated allergens. Restaurant rule: Restaurants must disclose 14 allergens. Emergency number: 112.
Read the country guideJapan
Packaged food: 8 mandatory items plus recommended items. Restaurant rule: Restaurants are exempt from allergen labeling law. Emergency number: 119.
Read the country guideHong Kong
Packaged food: 8 allergen categories. Restaurant rule: No restaurant disclosure requirement. Emergency number: 999.
Read the country guideAustralia
Packaged food: Standardized allergen names under PEAL. Restaurant rule: Unpackaged-food sellers must provide allergen information on request. Emergency number: 000.
Read the country guideSingapore
Packaged food: Packaged food labeling under the Singapore Food Agency. Restaurant rule: No restaurant disclosure mandate. Emergency number: 995.
Open official sourceNew Zealand
Packaged food: Standardized allergen labeling under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Restaurant rule: Unpackaged-food allergen information on request per the shared Code. Emergency number: 111.
Open official sourceOfficial sources
- FDA food allergies: US packaged-food allergen labeling information.
- FARE: US food allergy nonprofit resources.
- Health Canada food allergens: Canadian food allergen information.
- CFIA allergen labeling: Canadian inspection and labeling resource.
- Food Standards Agency allergen guidance: UK food business allergen guidance.
- EFSA food allergies: EU food allergy science resource.
- Consumer Affairs Agency Japan food labeling: Japan food labeling information.
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety: Hong Kong allergen labeling information.
- FSANZ allergen labelling: Australia and New Zealand food allergen labeling information.
- Singapore Food Agency: Singapore food safety and labeling information.
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries: New Zealand food safety and labeling information.
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Start a free logMedical disclaimer
This guide is general information for restaurant planning. It is not medical advice. For emergency symptoms, call local emergency services. For personal diagnosis, medication, or action-plan questions, talk with your allergist.
Read the medical disclaimer