The 14 UK food allergens at a glance
1. Celery
Soups, stocks, seasoning blends, salads
2. Cereals containing gluten
Wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt and related products
Read the guide →3. Crustaceans
Prawns, shrimp, crab, lobster, crayfish
Read the guide →4. Eggs
Cakes, mayonnaise, pasta, sauces
Read the guide →5. Fish
Fish sauce, anchovies, some dressings
Read the guide →6. Lupin
Certain flours, bakery products, gluten-free alternatives
7. Milk
Cheese, yoghurt, whey, casein, some processed foods
Read the guide →8. Molluscs
Mussels, oysters, scallops, squid, octopus
Read the guide →9. Mustard
Dressings, sauces, marinades, spice mixes
10. Nuts
Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews and other specified nuts
Read the guide →11. Peanuts
Peanut butter, satay, groundnut oil, confectionery
Read the guide →12. Sesame
Tahini, hummus, sesame oil, bakery products
Read the guide →13. Soybeans
Tofu, soya flour, soy protein, soy lecithin
Read the guide →14. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
Certain dried fruits, wines, preserved foods
Important: The list identifies allergens that must be declared under applicable UK food information rules. It does not include every substance capable of causing an allergic reaction.
Let's look at each category.
1. Celery
Celery is a regulated food allergen in the UK.
This includes different parts of the celery plant, such as stalks, leaves, seeds and celeriac.
Celery can appear in foods where it isn't obvious.
Where might celery appear?
- Soups and stocks
- Vegetable bouillon
- Seasoning blends
- Ready meals
- Salads and dressings
- Meat products
- Sauces
Is celeriac the same allergen as celery?
Celeriac is a variety of celery grown for its swollen root.
It belongs to the same regulated allergen category.
Does vegetable stock contain celery?
Some vegetable stocks and stock cubes contain celery or celeriac.
Others do not.
Always check the ingredients rather than assuming vegetable stock is celery-free.
2. Cereals containing gluten
This UK allergen category includes cereals such as:
- Wheat
- Rye
- Barley
- Oats
- Spelt
- Khorasan wheat
- Related hybridised strains
These cereals may appear in bread, pasta, cereals, sauces, baked goods and other foods.
Is wheat the same as gluten?
No.
Wheat is a grain. Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye.
Wheat allergy and coeliac disease are different conditions, so their ingredient-checking requirements aren't necessarily identical. Read more in our guide to food allergy vs food intolerance.
Are oats included in the UK's allergen rules?
Yes.
Oats are included in the regulated cereals-containing-gluten category.
Specially produced gluten-free oats may be suitable for many people with coeliac disease, but ordinary oats can be contaminated with wheat, barley or rye.
Some people with coeliac disease may also react to avenin, a protein found in oats.
What about gluten-free wheat starch?
Some specially processed wheat starch can meet the legal gluten-free standard.
However, a gluten-free claim does not automatically establish suitability for someone with a wheat allergy.
Read our complete guide to wheat and gluten ingredient names.
3. Crustaceans
Crustaceans include:
- Prawns
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Lobster
- Crayfish
- Langoustines
- Krill
They may appear in seafood dishes, curry pastes, stocks, sauces and supplements.
Are prawns and shrimp the same allergen category?
Yes.
Although the names can refer to different animals, both are crustaceans.
Is shrimp paste a crustacean ingredient?
Yes, when made from shrimp.
Shrimp paste is used in some Southeast Asian sauces, curry pastes and condiments.
Are crustaceans and molluscs the same?
No.
They are separate regulated allergen categories in the UK.
This matters because the US federal major-allergen framework treats crustacean shellfish differently from molluscs.
Read our shellfish ingredient guide.
4. Eggs
Eggs are used in baking, sauces, desserts and many prepared foods.
They can appear under unfamiliar protein names.
Other names for egg include:
- Albumen
- Ovalbumin
- Ovomucoid
- Egg-white powder
- Egg-yolk powder
- Dried egg
- Egg solids
Some ingredients, such as lecithin and lysozyme, can have different sources.
Does mayonnaise contain egg?
Traditional mayonnaise generally contains egg, but egg-free alternatives exist.
Does pasta contain egg?
Some pasta contains egg, particularly fresh pasta and egg noodles.
Other pasta products may be made without egg.
Is baked egg different?
Some people with egg allergy tolerate extensively baked egg, while others cannot.
This is an individual clinical matter and cannot be determined by scanning an ingredient label.
Read our guide to other names for egg.
5. Fish
Fish is a separate allergen category from crustaceans and molluscs.
Examples include:
- Cod
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Haddock
- Anchovy
- Pollock
- Sardine
- Mackerel
Fish can also appear in processed ingredients.
Where might fish appear unexpectedly?
- Worcestershire sauce containing anchovies
- Caesar dressing
- Fish sauce
- Surimi
- Fish stock
- Certain fish-derived gelatines
- Fish oil supplements
Does Worcestershire sauce contain fish?
Traditional Worcestershire sauce often contains anchovies.
Vegetarian alternatives exist, so check the particular product.
Is fish oil the same as fish protein?
No.
The amount of residual protein in fish oil depends on processing and refining.
An ingredient label alone cannot determine whether a particular oil is suitable for someone with fish allergy.
Read our fish ingredient guide.
6. Lupin
Lupin is one of the less familiar UK regulated allergens.
It is a legume and may be processed into flour or other food ingredients.
Where might lupin appear?
- Specialist bakery products
- Certain breads and pastries
- Some gluten-free products
- Flour mixtures
- Plant-based foods
- Protein-rich products
Is lupin the same as peanut?
No.
Lupin and peanuts are different legumes.
However, cross-reactivity can occur in some people with peanut allergy.
That doesn't mean everyone with peanut allergy is clinically allergic to lupin.
Is lupin flour gluten-free?
Lupin itself does not naturally contain gluten.
However, lupin flour can still cause allergic reactions in people with lupin allergy, and cross-contact with gluten-containing cereals may be relevant.
Gluten-free does not mean allergen-free.
7. Milk
Milk is one of the most familiar food allergens, but its proteins appear under several names.
Milk-related ingredients include:
- Casein
- Caseinates
- Whey
- Whey protein
- Milk powder
- Milk solids
- Butter
- Cream
- Cheese
- Yoghurt
Is lactose intolerance the same as milk allergy?
No.
Milk allergy involves an immune reaction to milk proteins.
Lactose intolerance involves difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk.
A lactose-free product may still contain milk proteins.
Is whey dairy?
Yes.
Whey is derived from milk.
Is lactic acid milk?
Not necessarily.
Despite its name, lactic acid is not inherently a milk-derived ingredient.
Read our complete guide to hidden milk ingredient names.
8. Molluscs
Molluscs are separate from crustaceans under UK food allergen rules.
They include:
- Mussels
- Oysters
- Scallops
- Clams
- Cockles
- Squid
- Octopus
- Abalone
- Snails
Is calamari a mollusc?
Yes.
Calamari is squid.
Does oyster sauce contain molluscs?
Traditional oyster sauce contains oyster-derived ingredients.
Vegetarian alternatives are available.
Why are molluscs important for UK versus US labels?
Molluscs are a regulated allergen category in the UK.
They are not included in the US federal list of nine major food allergens.
A US 'Contains' statement that doesn't mention shellfish therefore doesn't establish that a food contains no molluscs.
Read our shellfish ingredient guide.
9. Mustard
Mustard is a regulated allergen in the UK.
It can appear as seeds, powder, paste or prepared mustard.
Where might mustard appear?
- Salad dressings
- Mayonnaise-style sauces
- Marinades
- Pickles
- Spice mixes
- Curry preparations
- Processed meats
- Ready meals
Does mustard powder count as mustard?
Yes.
Mustard powder is made from mustard seeds.
Does a spice mix contain mustard?
Some do.
Mustard can be included in blended seasonings, so check the actual ingredient list.
10. Nuts
The UK regulates eight specified nut types:
| Nut | Alternative or related names |
|---|---|
| Almond | Ground almond, almond flour, marzipan |
| Hazelnut | Filbert, cobnut |
| Walnut | Walnut pieces, walnut meal |
| Cashew | Cashew paste, cashew cream |
| Pecan | Pecan pieces, pecan butter |
| Brazil nut | Brazil nut pieces |
| Pistachio | Pistachio paste, pistachio cream |
| Macadamia | Queensland nut |
Are peanuts tree nuts?
No.
Peanuts are legumes and form a separate UK allergen category.
Are coconut, pine nuts and chestnuts included?
They are not among the UK's eight specified regulated nut types.
However, allergies to these foods can occur.
A person who needs to avoid them should check for them individually.
Does marzipan contain nuts?
Traditional marzipan contains almonds.
What is gianduja?
Traditional gianduja is a chocolate and hazelnut preparation.
Read our tree nut ingredient guide.
11. Peanuts
Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts.
They may appear under different names.
Other names include:
- Groundnut
- Arachis
- Peanut flour
- Peanut protein
- Peanut paste
- Peanut butter
- Monkey nuts
Is arachis oil peanut oil?
Yes.
Arachis oil is peanut oil.
Is refined peanut oil different from unrefined peanut oil?
Yes.
Highly refined peanut oil generally contains much less residual peanut protein than unrefined oil.
UK rules give no labelling exemption for refined peanut oil, and Allergy UK (incorporating Anaphylaxis UK) still advises avoiding it because it can be hard to know how refined an oil is. The processing and individual allergy advice matter.
Where might peanuts appear?
Peanuts may appear in satay sauces, confectionery, protein bars, biscuits and certain savoury dishes.
Read our peanut ingredient guide.
12. Sesame
Sesame is used in seeds, oils, pastes and confectionery.
Other names and ingredients include:
- Tahini
- Tahina
- Benne
- Gingelly oil
- Sesame paste
- Sesame flour
- Sesame protein
Is tahini sesame?
Yes.
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds.
Does hummus contain sesame?
Traditional hummus often contains tahini.
However, recipes vary.
Does halva contain sesame?
Many types of halva contain sesame, but not all.
The specific recipe matters.
Read our sesame ingredient guide.
13. Soybeans
Soybeans may appear as soya in British English.
They are used in protein ingredients, oils, emulsifiers and fermented foods.
Soy-related ingredients include:
- Soy protein isolate
- Soya flour
- Soy protein concentrate
- Soy lecithin
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Edamame
- Miso
- Soy sauce
Is soy lecithin the same as soy protein?
No.
Soy lecithin generally contains much less residual protein than concentrated soy protein ingredients.
Its suitability for someone with soy allergy depends on individual guidance.
Is textured vegetable protein always soy?
No.
TVP is often soy-based, but it can be made from other vegetable protein sources.
Is soy sauce gluten-free?
Many traditional soy sauces contain wheat.
Some gluten-free alternatives are available.
Read our soy and soya ingredient guide.
14. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites are used in certain foods and drinks, including as preservatives.
They can occur naturally through some production processes as well.
Where might sulphites appear?
- Wine
- Certain dried fruits
- Some preserved foods
- Certain bottled lemon or lime juices
- Some processed potato products
- Certain drinks and condiments
How are sulphites shown on UK labels?
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites are subject to allergen declaration requirements when present above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/litre, expressed as total SO₂, in the finished product as ready to eat or as made up following the manufacturer's instructions.
The relevant rules and measurement basis matter.
Does every food containing sulphites need an allergen warning?
Not necessarily.
The UK regulated allergen declaration requirement is linked to the specified concentration threshold.
A product may contain sulphites below that threshold without triggering the same declaration requirement.
Are sulphites the same as sulphates?
No.
Sulphites and sulphates are chemically different.
A name containing 'sulph' does not automatically indicate the regulated sulphite allergen category.
Are sulphite reactions always true allergies?
No.
Sulphite sensitivity can involve different mechanisms and is not always an IgE-mediated allergy.
People with relevant symptoms should seek appropriate medical advice.
How do UK food labels show the 14 allergens?
For applicable prepacked foods, regulated allergens used as ingredients must be identified and emphasised in the ingredients list, subject to the relevant exemptions.
This is often done using bold text.
For example:
Ingredients: Wheat flour (wheat), sugar, milk powder, egg, sunflower oil.
The exact presentation may differ.
The purpose is to make relevant allergens easier to identify.
Do all 14 allergens have to appear on every label?
No.
Only allergens relevant to the particular product and applicable declaration requirements need to be declared.
A food label doesn't need to print the complete list of 14 allergens.
What about food from bakeries and cafés?
Food businesses have allergen-information obligations for foods sold without conventional prepacked labelling.
The information may be provided through menus, written materials or staff communication, depending on the circumstances and applicable rules.
Ask when information is unclear.
What is Natasha's Law?
Natasha's Law is the commonly used name for changes to UK allergen labelling requirements for food prepacked for direct sale.
The rules took effect across the UK on 1 October 2021.
They require applicable food prepacked for direct sale to display the name of the food and a full ingredients list with regulated allergens emphasised.
Examples can include certain sandwiches or salads packaged on the premises before being selected by a customer.
The exact requirements depend on how the food is prepared, packaged and sold.
The rules are intended to make allergen information more accessible.
What does 'may contain' mean?
A statement such as:
- May contain peanuts
- May contain milk
- May contain traces of nuts
- Made in a factory that also handles sesame
is precautionary allergen information.
It generally indicates possible unintended allergen presence through cross-contact.
This is different from an allergen being deliberately included as an ingredient.
Precautionary statements are generally voluntary in the UK.
Their absence does not prove that cross-contact cannot occur.
Read our guide to what 'may contain' means on food labels.
For someone with a diagnosed allergy, follow individual allergy-management advice.
What is the difference between the UK's 14 allergens and the US nine?
The UK has 14 regulated allergen categories.
The US federal framework identifies nine major food allergen categories:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
The two systems overlap considerably, but they are not identical.
Important differences
| Area | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Celery | Regulated category | Not one of the federal nine |
| Cereals containing gluten | Includes wheat, barley, rye, oats and related cereals | Wheat is a major allergen; barley and rye are not separate major-allergen categories |
| Crustaceans | Regulated | Major allergen |
| Molluscs | Separate regulated category | Not included in the federal nine |
| Lupin | Regulated category | Not included in the federal nine |
| Mustard | Regulated category | Not included in the federal nine |
| Sulphites | Regulated above the applicable threshold | Subject to separate declaration rules in certain circumstances, not one of the nine major allergens |
| Sesame | Regulated | Major allergen since 2023 |
There are also differences in the exact definitions of certain categories, including nuts.
Does that mean the UK has five more allergens?
The UK framework has 14 categories and the US framework has nine, a numerical difference of five.
But it is not simply a case of adding five identical categories to the US list.
For example, the UK groups cereals containing gluten, while the US identifies wheat as a major allergen.
The UK also separates crustaceans and molluscs.
The frameworks need to be compared by their definitions, not just their category totals.
For the full comparison, including wheat versus gluten, molluscs, sulphites and buying imported food, read our guide to UK vs US food allergen labelling.
Why does ClearaScan use the UK's 14 allergen categories?
ClearaScan uses the UK's 14 regulated allergen categories as a broader starting framework for suggested Ingredient Guard rules.
This gives users additional categories to consider, including celery, lupin, mustard and molluscs.
It can also help highlight ingredients that are not covered by the US nine-major-allergen framework.
However, broader starting coverage does not guarantee that an app is safer or more accurate.
Neither framework covers every possible allergy.
People may react to foods outside these lists, and individual dietary requirements can differ.
ClearaScan allows users to create personalised ingredient-checking rules rather than relying solely on a national allergen list.
Does a product without a highlighted allergen mean it is safe?
Not necessarily.
There are several reasons why a label may not provide a complete answer for an individual.
The person may have an allergy outside the regulated 14
The UK list does not cover every possible food allergy.
Certain ingredients have legal exemptions
Some highly processed derivatives are exempt from particular allergen declaration requirements.
Cross-contact may occur
An allergen may be unintentionally present during production.
Labels can be difficult to interpret
Imported products, unfamiliar terminology and incomplete information can complicate checking.
Individual requirements differ
A person with wheat allergy may need different checks from someone with coeliac disease.
The absence of a highlighted allergen is therefore not a universal safety guarantee.
How to check a food label for allergens
For worked examples of real labels, read our step-by-step guide on how to read food labels for allergies.
1. Read the full ingredients list
Don't rely only on the product name or front-of-pack claims.
2. Look for emphasised allergens
Check the regulated allergen declarations.
3. Recognise alternative ingredient names
Ingredients such as casein, albumen, arachis and tahini may be relevant to particular allergies.
4. Check ingredients with uncertain sources
Lecithin, modified starch, vegetable oil and other ingredients may require closer interpretation.
5. Read precautionary statements
Consider any 'may contain' information in the context of individual advice.
6. Check the current product
Recipes and manufacturing arrangements can change.
7. Ask when information is unclear
Contact the manufacturer or food business if you cannot establish the relevant ingredients.
How ClearaScan helps you check ingredient labels
ClearaScan reads photographs of ingredient labels on the products you're holding.
It checks recognised ingredients against the rules you've selected in your Ingredient Guard.
You can create different profiles for different people, allowing one captured label to be checked against multiple sets of requirements.
This can be useful for families managing different allergies, intolerances or ingredient preferences.
ClearaScan can also display recognised precautionary information separately from ingredient matches.
However, it cannot guarantee that every ingredient has been recognised, measure allergen levels or establish that a product is medically suitable.
ClearaScan helps you review the label. It does not replace the label or an individual allergy-management plan.
Explore individual allergen guides
For more detail about unfamiliar ingredient names, explore the ClearaScan reference guides:
- Milk and dairy ingredient names
- Egg ingredient names
- Wheat and gluten ingredient names
- Soy and soya ingredient names
- Peanut ingredient names
- Tree nut ingredient names
- Fish ingredient names
- Shellfish ingredient names
- Sesame ingredient names
For the complete reference hub, visit Hidden Allergen Names.
