The Big 9

  • Milk: also in butter, ranch, mashed potatoes, baked goods
  • Eggs: also in mayonnaise, breading, custard, egg wash
  • Peanuts: also in sauces, chili, granola, some rubs
  • Tree nuts (almond, cashew, pecan, walnut and others): also in pesto, nut milks, some syrups
  • Soy: also in soy sauce, marinades, bread
  • Wheat: also in breading, gravy, soy sauce, imitation crab
  • Fish: also in Worcestershire sauce, Caesar dressing
  • Crustacean shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster): also in seafood broths
  • Sesame (the 9th, since 2023): also in buns, bagels, hummus, tahini

Sources: FALCPA · FASTER Act · Source protocols: allergen alerts

Details that trip people up

  • Peanuts are not tree nuts. They are separate allergens.
  • An allergy to one tree nut usually means avoiding all of them.
  • FDA's 2025 guidance dropped coconut from the tree nut list, but some people still react to it.
  • Clams, oysters and scallops aren't a major allergen, but many shellfish-allergic people react to them.
  • Say "gluten-free" only if there's no wheat, barley or rye and no shared toaster, fryer, board or tongs.
  • Some bakers add sesame to buns on purpose. Check every package.

Sources: Source protocols: allergen alerts (know the details)

Tell customers and train staff

  • Tell customers in writing which major allergens are in unpackaged food you serve.
  • Train staff in food allergy awareness. The person in charge can name the major allergens and their symptoms.
  • Label allergens on dishes, syrups and containers.
  • If you don't know an ingredient, say so. Never guess.
  • Say "made without peanuts" only if cross-contact was prevented. Otherwise say "may contain."

Sources: Food Code 3-602.12(C) · Food Code 2-103.11(O) · Food Code 2-102.11(C)(9) · R392-102-15(3) · Source protocols: cross-contact (say it right)

If someone has a reaction

Signs: hives, itching, swelling of lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, wheezing, vomiting, dizziness or fainting.

  1. Call 911.
  2. Help them use their epinephrine auto-injector if they have one.
  3. Keep them lying down, or sitting up if breathing is hard.
  4. Stay with them. A second dose may be needed after 5–15 minutes.
  5. Give nothing else to eat or drink.

Keep the dish and its ingredient list.

Sources: Source protocols: severe reaction (anaphylaxis) response · Source protocols: incident first steps (allergic reaction)

The rules behind it

  • Allergens and cross-contact. Label the 9 major allergens; tell customers in writing which major allergens are in unpackaged food; train staff in allergy awareness; separate utensils and pitchers; wash (sanitizer doesn't remove allergens). FALCPA; FASTER Act; Food Code 3-602.12(C), 2-103.11(O) · source