Building Consumer Trust Through Allergen Awareness

New Zealand is widely recognised for its strong food safety system, which plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of our food supply and protecting consumers.

While the system is robust, there are times when potential food safety issues arise.

Earlier this year, New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) released the Consumer-level food recalls annual report for 2024. The report showed that allergens in food were the leading cause of recalls in 2024, accounting for 46 percent of them.

The report is an important reminder for food businesses to responsibly manage allergens onsite and to provide customers with accurate allergen information on request.

Every food business, whether café, restaurant or takeaway outlet, plays a crucial role in keeping consumers safe. Food businesses in the service sector often use a range of ingredients in the food they prepare and serve to their customers. These businesses are legally required to declare allergen information when it is requested by the consumer.

Some may choose to voluntarily declare allergens on menus and signage. If your food business makes claims like the food is 'dairy-free' or 'gluten-free', you must make sure those allergens are managed in a way that ensures the food is safe for consumers.

Best practices for food businesses

Include allergen messaging in staff training: Front-of-house teams should be able to confidently communicate allergen information to consumers.
Remind staff to check ingredients: Products can change over time, and that can bring new risks; stay updated with recall alerts.
Display information: While optional, clear allergen signage reassures customers.
Ensure all staff know what’s in each meal: Kitchen staff must prepare allergen-free meals safely and verify details with front-of-house staff.

Checking food allergens when dining out

In addition to being a food sector worker, you are also a consumer. It is important for consumers to stay informed and ask questions about allergens when dining out or buying food.

Food allergies can cause severe reactions, ranging from mild to life-threatening. For many New Zealanders, ordering food can be stressful.

A simple question like “Does this contain peanuts?” can be the difference between enjoying a meal and facing a medical emergency. NZFS wants to normalise these conversations so that everyone feels confident asking about allergens.

We encourage consumers to:

Just ask: When dining out or ordering in, don’t hesitate to ask about allergens. Staff are there to help, and your safety matters.
Sign up: Subscribe to NZFS food allergen recall alerts to stay informed about products that may pose risks.

Stay safe, stay informed

Food recalls of products due to undeclared allergens do happen. By signing up for alerts, you’ll receive updates straight to your inbox, helping you make safer choices for your business, yourself and your family.