- Allergen information is always required, including for food served unpackaged: dishes, tapas, bread, pastries, canteen and catering food. The EU Regulation requires it always, packaged or not (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 44(1)(a)).
- In Spain it is governed by Royal Decree 126/2015. It applies to food sold unpackaged, food packed at the customer's request, food the business itself packs to sell in its own shop, and all of these when sold at a distance (Article 2.2).
- Each allergen is given with a clear reference to its name in Annex II of Regulation 1169/2011. This is not needed if the name of the dish already makes it clear, as in «egg omelette» (Royal Decree 126/2015, Article 4.1.b).
In writing or verbally
The information can be on labels or on notices next to the food (Article 6.2). It can also be given verbally, but only on two conditions (Article 6.5.a):
- Staff can give it easily when the customer asks and before the purchase is completed, at no cost to them.
- It is recorded in writing or electronically on the premises, available to staff, inspectors and customers who ask for it.
In practice«Just ask me and I'll tell you» only complies if there is a folder or a tablet behind
it with the allergens of every dish. If the waiter answers from memory and nothing is written down, it does not comply.
Source: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Articles 9(1)(c) and 44 · Real Decreto 126/2015, food information for non-prepacked foods (consolidated text, in Spanish), Articles 2, 4.1.b and 6.5