Menu Allergen Chart Maker
Scan your menu for allergens or enter items manually. Create a professional allergen chart with all 14 UK allergens and download print-ready PDFs.
What is an Allergen Matrix?
An allergen matrix is a chart that displays which of the 14 UK allergens are present in each item on your menu. Under the Food Information Regulations 2014 and Natasha's Law, food businesses must provide accurate allergen information to customers. A well-maintained allergen matrix helps your staff quickly identify safe options for customers with allergies and demonstrates due diligence during Environmental Health Officer (EHO) inspections.
Our free menu allergen checker makes it easy to create professional allergen charts for restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels, and catering businesses. Upload your menu to scan for allergens automatically, or enter items manually - either way, you'll have a downloadable PDF ready in minutes.
How to Create Your Allergen Chart
Add Your Menu Items
Enter your menu items manually or upload a menu photo/PDF for AI extraction. Organise items by category (Starters, Mains, Desserts, etc.) for a cleaner chart.
Mark Allergens
For each item, mark whether it contains, may contain, or is free from each of the 14 UK allergens. Click cells to cycle through the three states.
Download Your PDF
Choose from 4 PDF styles (Classic, Colour-coded, Customer-facing, High Contrast) and download your professional allergen matrix ready for printing or display.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 14 UK allergens?
UK food businesses must declare 14 allergens: celery, gluten (cereals containing gluten), crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, nuts (tree nuts), peanuts, sesame, soya, and sulphur dioxide/sulphites. These are specified in the Food Information Regulations 2014.
What's the difference between “contains” and “may contain”?
“Contains” means the allergen is a deliberate ingredient in the dish. “May contain” (or “traces of”) indicates potential cross-contamination during preparation, storage, or from shared equipment. Both must be communicated to customers, as even trace amounts can trigger severe reactions.
How often should I update my allergen matrix?
Update your allergen matrix whenever you change menu items, recipes, or suppliers. It's good practice to review it weekly and after any supplier changes, as ingredients can vary between batches. Keep documentation as evidence for EHO inspections.
Is this tool compliant with Natasha's Law?
This tool helps you create allergen matrices that support Natasha's Law compliance by documenting all 14 UK allergens for your menu items. However, you remain legally responsible for ensuring the accuracy of all allergen information. Always verify ingredients with your suppliers.
Ready to create your allergen matrix?