The 14 food allergens

The 14 allergens that must be declared by law on food sold in Ireland and across the EU — and a plain-English guide to each one and the recalls it causes.

The full list

1. 1Celery — stalks, seeds and celeriac; hidden in stocks, soups and spice mixes.
2. 2Cereals containing gluten — wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt.
3. 3Crustaceans — prawns, crab, lobster, langoustine.
4. 4Eggs — baked goods, pasta, sauces, mayonnaise, glazes.
5. 5Fish — also hidden in sauces, stocks and some dressings.
6. 6Lupin — a legume flour used in some breads and gluten-free products.
7. 7Milk — dairy, whey, casein; a very common undeclared allergen.
8. 8Molluscs — mussels, oysters, squid, clams, snails.
9. 9Mustard — seeds, powder and sauces; hidden in marinades and spice blends.
10. 10Nuts (tree nuts) — almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and more.
11. 11Peanuts — a legume; among the most common severe allergies.
12. 12Sesame — seeds, tahini and oil; hidden in breads, dips and spice mixes.
13. 13Soya — soy flour, protein and lecithin in many processed foods.
14. 14Sulphur dioxide & sulphites — preservatives in dried fruit, wine and processed foods (declared above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L).

General information, not medical advice. If you have a food allergy, always check the label and the official recall notice, and follow your allergy action plan. In an emergency call 112 or 999.