Transparent Allergen Declarations

Manage Digital Menu Allergens & Additives with Ease

Clearly declare the 14 EU main allergens and food additives in your digital menu. Featuring automatic aggregation from linked ingredients, protected manual control, and intuitive guest filters.

  • 14 EU Allergens & Additives / Notes
  • Ingredient Aggregation & Manual Protection
  • Guest Filters for Diets & Nuts

Systematic Declaration

14 EU Main Allergens as well as Additives & Further Notes at a Glance

solook supports structured recording of the 14 legally mandated food allergens under Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (LMIV) as well as mandatory food additives and further notices.

Note on labeling: Letter codes A through R (excluding I, J, K, Q) follow standard hospitality conventions in German-speaking countries. Every code is explained in full in the menu legend.

The 14 EU Main Allergens (codes A–R)

Code Allergen & Typical Dishes
A Gluten
Cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut/Khorasan wheat)
Typical in: Pizza dough, pasta, flatbread, burger buns, breading, pastries, beer
B Crustaceans
Crustaceans and products thereof
Typical in: Prawns, scampi, lobster, crab, shrimp paste
C Eggs
Eggs and products thereof
Typical in: Mayonnaise, aioli, fresh egg pasta, Grana Padano (lysozyme), tiramisu, breading
D Fish
Fish and products thereof
Typical in: Salmon, tuna, anchovies (Caesar dressing), fish sauce
E Peanuts
Peanuts and products thereof
Typical in: Satay sauce, peanut oil, Asian bowls, dessert toppings
F Soybeans
Soybeans and products thereof
Typical in: Soy sauce, tofu, edamame, soy milk, soy lecithin
G Milk
Milk and dairy products (including lactose)
Typical in: Mozzarella, parmesan, cream sauces, tzatziki, butter, latte, ice cream
H Nuts
Tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts)
Typical in: Baklava, walnut salads, cashew pesto, nougat, almond cake (pine nuts are not tree nuts under EU law)
L Celery
Celery and products thereof
Typical in: Bolognese ragù, vegetable broth, soup base, spice blends
M Mustard
Mustard and products thereof
Typical in: Honey mustard dressing, burger sauces, marinades, remoulade
N Sesame
Sesame seeds and products thereof
Typical in: Flatbread, burger buns, hummus (tahini), falafel, sushi bowls
O Sulphites
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
Typical in: Wine, prosecco, balsamic vinegar, dried fruits
P Lupin
Lupin and products thereof
Typical in: Specialty baked goods, vegan meat substitutes, lupin flour
R Molluscs
Molluscs and products thereof (mussels, squid, octopus)
Typical in: Calamari, frutti di mare, mussels, oysters, oyster sauce

Additives & Further Notes (numbers 1–17)

Code Additive / Note & Examples
1 contains colorant
Typical in: Cola, Fanta, Aperol, syrups, cocktail cherries
2 contains preservative
Typical in: Preserved deli sauces, dressings, pickled peppers & olives
3 contains antioxidant
Typical in: Rotisserie meat, potato products, sauces, fruit juices
4 contains flavor enhancer
Typical in: Rotisserie meat, broths, spice mixes, Asian sauces
5 sulfured
Typical in: Dried fruits, wine, vinegar, pickled vegetables
6 blackened
Typical in: Blackened olives (on pizza and in salads)
7 waxed
Typical in: Waxed citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes)
8 contains phosphate
Typical in: Meat products (e.g. cooked ham, boiled sausages, rotisserie meat)
9 contains sweetener(s)
Typical in: Diet/Zero sodas, sugar-free lemonades, syrups
10 contains a source of phenylalanine
Typical in: Diet drinks containing aspartame, sugar-free desserts
11 contains caffeine
Typical in: Cola drinks, energy drinks, caffeinated iced tea, mate soda
12 contains quinine
Typical in: Tonic water, bitter lemon, gin & tonic
13 contains taurine
Typical in: Energy drinks (Red Bull, Effect, etc.)
14 cured with nitrite / nitrate
Typical in: Ham, salami, bacon, cured meat products
15 contains alcohol
Typical in: Wine, beer, cocktails, tiramisu, wine & spirit sauces
16 with a type of sugar and sweetener(s)
Typical in: Soft drinks (Fanta, Sprite), iced teas, and sauces with both sugar and sweeteners
17 residual alcohol (≤ 0.5% vol)
Typical in: Non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic wheat beer (≤ 0.5% vol)

Two Ways to Manage

Automatic Ingredient Aggregation or Full Manual Control

Every hospitality business works differently. solook adapts to your kitchen workflow:

Automatic Aggregation from Ingredients

Set up your ingredients (e.g. sauces, dressings, doughs) once with their allergens and additives. When linked to a dish, the system automatically adopts these tags. Updating an ingredient immediately synchronizes all connected automated dishes without extra work.

Protected Manual Allergen Control

If you prefer assigning allergens directly to a dish or manage customized recipes, switch to manual mode. Once set manually, allergen codes remain permanently protected and are never silently removed.

Allergen Legend in the Guest Menu

Guests see the subtle letter codes (A–R) and additive numbers (1–17) right beside each dish. An interactive, mobile-friendly legend at the bottom of the menu clearly explains every code.

Guest Convenience

Smart Guest Filters for Diets & Sensitivities

Guests can filter your menu in one tap according to their dietary choices or allergies. This enhances guest confidence and frees up staff from repetitive questions during peak hours.

Hide Nuts & Peanuts

Filters out dishes containing peanuts (E) or tree nuts (H) in one click.

Vegetarian & Vegan

Displays exclusively plant-based or vegetarian dishes upon selection.

Exclude Specific Meat Types

Guests can individually hide pork, beef, poultry, turkey, duck, goose, lamb, or game as preferred. The displayed filters depend on the animal species that actually appear on the respective menu.

Hide Fish & Seafood

Filters out dishes containing fish (D), crustaceans (B), and molluscs (R) such as prawns, squid, or mussels. The displayed filters depend on the animal species that actually appear on the respective menu.

Direct Allergen & Additive Codes on Every Dish

All 14 EU main allergens (A–R, e.g. gluten A, milk/lactose G, egg C) and additives/notes (1–17 incl. 15 = with alcohol and 17 = residual alcohol ≤ 0.5% vol) are displayed directly on each dish and in the legend.

No Pork & No Alcohol

No Pork & No Alcohol: hides dishes with pork and declared alcohol including residual alcohol – based on the restaurateur’s information. Not a Halal certificate.

Important note on kitchen operations and cross-contact

Guest filters and declarations reflect the recipes and ingredient data entered by the restaurateur. In commercial kitchens, unintended traces or cross-contact during storage and cooking can never be 100% ruled out. Guests with severe allergies or celiac disease should always consult service or kitchen staff before ordering.

Transparent Pricing

Allergen Tools Included in Every Plan

With solook, you never pay extra for allergen or additive features. Full declaration tools are accessible across all tiers.

FREE

Permanently Free on the FREE Tier

Up to 5 categories and max. 75 dishes. Full access to allergen and additive management, ingredient aggregation, guest filters, and legend.

Start for free
SERVICE

Setup Service for €99

We set up your menu completely for you – including all allergens and additives according to your template. Includes 12 months PLUS after completion and approval (no automatic renewal from the service).

Request setup service

* All stated prices are final prices. Pursuant to § 19 UStG (German small business regulation), no VAT is charged and therefore not shown.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions about Allergens & Additives

Am I required to declare allergens and additives on my menu?

Yes. The legal basis for allergen declarations on non-prepacked food in hospitality is the EU Food Information Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – LMIV) in conjunction with Section 4 of the German Food Information Implementation Regulation (LMIDV). Additives in non-prepacked food are governed by Section 5 of the Food Additives Implementation Regulation (LMZDV) and the Flavourings Implementation Regulation (AromenDV for quinine).

Does a digital QR code menu completely replace mandatory on-site documentation?

Under Section 4 (3) LMIDV, mandatory allergen information for non-prepacked food may be provided electronically if it is immediately, freely, and app-independently accessible to guests before ordering (verbal disclosure requires written/electronic documentation on demand under Section 4 (4) LMIDV). In addition, Section 13 (1) and (2) of the German Price Indication Ordinance (PAngV) requires a visible price overview next to the restaurant entrance as well as accessible pricing at the table. Because not all guests use a smartphone, keeping 2–3 up-to-date printed backup menus behind the counter is recommended. solook does not provide legal advice.

How does automatic allergen aggregation from ingredients work?

In solook, you can create master ingredients and assign their allergens and additives (e.g. soy sauce with wheat and soy). Whenever you attach this ingredient to a dish, solook inherits those declarations automatically. Editing an ingredient updates all connected automated dishes instantly.

What happens to manually specified allergens when editing a dish?

Dishes managed manually enjoy full integrity protection: when you manually specify allergens, your choices are respected. The system will never overwrite or erase your manual codes, even if you rename the dish or alter its description.

Does the guest filter offer an absolute guarantee for allergy sufferers?

No. The filter hides dishes based on declared recipes and ingredients. In a working commercial kitchen, traces and cross-contamination (via cutting boards, fryers, or utensils) can still happen. Guests with severe allergies must always consult the culinary staff.

Can I use the allergen features on the free Free tier?

Yes. The permanent Free plan covers up to 5 categories and 75 dishes and includes full access to allergen and additive management, ingredient aggregation, guest filters, and the legend with no expiration.

Can you digitize my menu including all allergens for me?

Yes. Our personal setup service handles the setup of your menu for a one-time fee of €99 including 12 months PLUS, which only begins after completion and your approval. The service triggers no automatic paid renewal. You send us your template (as a PDF, photo or link), and our team enters categories, dishes, prices, allergens and additives carefully for you.

Master Menu Allergens & Additives Digitally

Get started with solook in minutes – completely free, no payment details required, and with full functionality.