Short answer
What are the allergen labelling rules for takeaway and pre-packed food?
Under UK rules, food that is pre-packed for direct sale — packed on site before a customer orders it, such as a sandwich in a chiller — must carry the product name and a full ingredients list with the 14 regulated allergens emphasised. Food packed to order after the customer asks for it does not need a label, but allergen information must still be provided accurately, and the safest practice is written information plus a clear verbal check.
The distinction that decides everything
Pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) means you packaged it before the customer chose it. A grab-and-go sandwich, a wrapped brownie on the counter, a chiller salad — these need full labels.
Food you assemble after the order — a burger in a box, a curry in a bowl — is not PPDS. You still owe accurate allergen information, but it does not have to be printed on the pack.
What a PPDS label must show
Keep the format consistent across every item so nothing gets missed.
- The name of the food.
- A full ingredients list, in descending order of weight.
- The 14 regulated allergens emphasised within that list (bold is standard).
- Legible type on a surface that will not smudge or peel in a chiller.
Practicalities that matter in a small kitchen
Use a label printer rather than handwriting — legibility is a requirement, not a preference. Keep a master recipe sheet as the single source of truth so a supplier change updates every label. Re-check whenever you change a supplier, because a substituted ingredient can introduce an allergen silently.
Delivery orders
For delivery, allergen information must be available before the order is placed and again with the delivered food. Keep your platform listings and your kitchen recipe sheets in step — a stale platform description is a real risk, not an admin detail.
Key takeaways
- PPDS food needs a name, full ingredients and emphasised allergens.
- Packed-to-order food still requires accurate allergen information.
- Use a label printer and one master recipe sheet.
- Keep delivery platform listings in step with recipes.
Author
Lan Olitoquit
Creative and Marketing Professional
Lan is a creative and marketing professional with over seven years of experience. He transforms brand messaging into compelling digital experiences, using data to craft high-converting campaigns. He is currently pursuing an MBA at San Beda College Alabang, bridging what business knows with what business does.
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