If you have a food allergy, it is important to take extra precautions when ordering takeaway food that you will be collecting or having delivered. This is covered by ‘distance selling’ regulations and the rules about how allergen information is provided are a little different than if you are eating in or buying pre-packaged foods with labels.
When providing food through distance selling, businesses must be able to give allergen information about any of the 14 major food allergens in the foods they sell, whether that is ordered through an online platform or app, or over the telephone.
When ordering takeaway food, it’s crucial to take the necessary steps to ensure your meal is safe and free from allergens. Follow these tips to help you stay protected:
Call the restaurant or food outlet in person to discuss your allergy requirements. NEVER rely on notes or messages sent through online platforms or third-party apps, as they may be overlooked.
Ask specifically about the dishes you’re interested in and whether they are suitable for your dietary needs.
Find out how the food is prepared, including the ingredients used, and whether there is a risk of cross-contamination with your allergens. If the staff seem uncertain or you feel the risk is too high, it may be safer to choose another place.
Ask how your food will be packed for delivery. Will it be grouped with other people’s orders? If there’s a potential for cross-contamination, it might be safer to collect the food yourself.
Remember that recipes can vary, even within the same chain. Just because a dish was safe before doesn’t guarantee it will be safe next time. ALWAYS check again!
Ask how your allergen-free food will be labelled (e.g., stickers or written on the packaging). If the allergen information isn’t clear when you receive the food, do not eat it. Instead, call the food business and request a refund.
If you’re ordering for friends or family, consider making the entire order free from your allergen to avoid any mix-ups.
Ensure you have your medication with you, check that it’s in date, and make sure you know how to use it properly before you start eating
The allergen information must be available to you at two stages through the ordering process.
If ordering via a third-party delivery app, ALWAYS phone the food business too. It is the responsibility of the food business, and not the delivery company to give you accurate allergen information. Different delivery apps vary in how much information the food businesses that use them can provide about allergens. Even if allergen information is listed in the app, phone the food business too to confirm nothing has changed and the food is still safe for you.
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