Allergens
Food Allergen Training
Food allergen training teaches the 14 allergens, cross-contact, customer requests and anaphylaxis. Here is who needs it and what it covers.
By the Food Hygiene Hub team · 2 min read
The short answer
Food allergen training teaches staff the 14 allergens, how to prevent cross-contact, how to answer customers and what to do in an emergency. Food businesses must make sure staff are trained on allergens, but no law requires a specific certificate. Your employer decides what your role needs.
Why does allergen training matter?
Allergic reactions can kill. Mistakes often come from poor communication, recipe changes and cross-contact, and training helps people to spot these risks. Everyone who makes food, serves it or answers questions about it has a part to play.
What should allergen training cover?
Good allergen training should include:
- The 14 allergens and where they hide
- Allergy, intolerance and coeliac disease
- Preventing cross-contact
- Allergen matrices and records
- Handling requests and online orders
- Recognising and responding to anaphylaxis
What does current guidance say?
The law says allergen information must be available for non-prepacked food. In 2025 the FSA published best practice guidance for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It recommends written information supported by a conversation with the customer. This does not change the law. Food Standards Scotland publishes its own guidance for Scotland.
Are there extra rules for schools?
In England, schools have had extra allergy duties since 1 September 2026, a change often called Benedict's Law. Maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units must have an allergy safety policy. Statutory guidance also expects allergy awareness training for staff, including catering staff.
Our certificates are private training certificates of completion, not regulated qualifications. UK law does not require one specific food hygiene certificate. It requires food handlers to be supervised and instructed or trained appropriately. Employers decide what training each role needs, and a certificate does not replace practical instruction or supervision.
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