Food Standards Scotland Allergen Information Consultation

Scotland Food Standards News

Published February 23rd, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

Food Standards Scotland has launched a 12-week public consultation on how allergen and ingredient information is provided by businesses in the non-prepacked sector, such as restaurants and takeaways. The consultation seeks views on strengthening written allergen information and improving ingredient transparency for consumers in Scotland.

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What changed

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has initiated a 12-week public consultation to gather feedback on the provision of allergen and ingredient information by businesses selling non-prepacked foods, including restaurants, cafes, and takeaways. The consultation aims to explore ways to make written allergen information more consistent and accessible for consumers across Scotland, and to gather views on ingredient information beyond the 14 mandated allergens. This initiative is driven by a desire to enhance food safety and transparency, particularly for individuals with food allergies and intolerances, following high-profile food allergy incidents.

Businesses, consumers, trade bodies, and local authority enforcement officers are invited to submit their views by May 17, 2026. The feedback will inform the development of practical and effective guidance to improve transparency and support businesses in providing safe food. Compliance officers should ensure their organizations are aware of this consultation and consider submitting relevant feedback to influence potential future regulatory changes regarding allergen and ingredient labeling in the non-prepacked food sector in Scotland.

What to do next

Review the FSS consultation document on allergen and ingredient information.
Consider submitting feedback by the deadline of May 17, 2026.
Assess current allergen information practices for non-prepacked food offerings.

Source document (simplified)

- Consultation

Food Standards Scotland launches public consultation on allergen information

Date published: 23 February 2026

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has today launched a 12 week public consultation seeking views on how allergen and ingredient information is provided by food businesses in the non-prepacked sector, such as restaurants, cafés, takeaways, bakeries and butchers.

The consultation, open until 17 May 2026, invites feedback from consumers, food businesses, trade bodies, local authority enforcement officers and any stakeholder with an interest in improving food safety and transparency for people living with food allergies, intolerances or coeliac disease.

Currently, businesses selling non-prepacked foods can provide allergen information in a variety of ways, such as verbally, on menus, signs or digital platforms. FSS is exploring how written information could be strengthened, made more consistent and more accessible for consumers across Scotland.

The consultation will also look to gather views on the availability of ingredient information for those with food sensitivities beyond the 14 mandated allergens.

The launch of the consultation follows discussions by the FSS Board on opportunities to enhance safety while maintaining flexibility for businesses, and responds to strong public interest in clearer, more reliable allergen information after a number of high profile food allergy incidents.

Stephen Hendry, Head of Labelling and Standards at FSS, said: “We want everyone in Scotland to have confidence when eating out or buying food that isn’t prepacked. For people with food allergies or intolerances, clear and reliable information is essential, not just for convenience, but for safety.

“We are asking consumers, food businesses and all interested stakeholders to share their experiences and views. Your insight will help us shape practical, effective guidance that improves transparency while supporting businesses to provide safe food for everyone.”

Responses can be submitted by email to: Calum.Yule@fss.scot, or by post to:
Food Standards Scotland, Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RL.

The full consultation document and response form are available on our website.

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