RichScriptsThe 14 Major Food Allergens
What must be declared on EU and UK labels, the US big nine, and the other names each allergen hides under.
Updated September 2026 · Free reference
In the EU and the UK, 14 allergens must be named whenever they are used as an ingredient, and highlighted in the ingredient list so they stand out. The US requires the "big nine" to be declared: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Other countries have their own lists.
The hard part is that allergens rarely appear under the word you expect. Milk can be whey, casein or lactose; wheat can be semolina, durum or spelt. The cards below give the everyday name, what to watch for, and the other names the checker searches for.
Paste the ingredients, scan a photo or enter a barcode and get the allergens picked out for you.
Cereals containing gluten
EU 14 · US 9 (wheat)Wheat, barley, rye and oats, and anything made from them.
Watch for: malt and malt extract (barley), semolina, durum, spelt and couscous (all wheat). Oats are often processed with wheat, so only oats labelled gluten-free are safe for coeliac disease.
Other names the checker looks for (32)
wheat wheat flour whole wheat durum semolina spelt farro einkorn emmer kamut khorasan barley rye triticale malt malted malt extract malt vinegar and more
Crustaceans
EU 14 · US 9Prawns, crab, lobster and other shellfish with a hard shell.
Watch for: shrimp paste in Asian sauces, and seafood stock in soups and rice dishes.
Other names the checker looks for (11)
crustacean crustaceans shrimp prawn prawns crab lobster crayfish langoustine krill scampi
Eggs
EU 14 · US 9Hen and other birds' eggs, whole or separated.
Watch for: albumen, lysozyme (E1105) in some cheeses and wines, mayonnaise, meringue and egg glaze on pastry.
Other names the checker looks for (15)
egg eggs egg white egg yolk albumen albumin ovalbumin lysozyme mayonnaise meringue ovomucoid globulin livetin vitellin and more
Fish
EU 14 · US 9All fish, including fish used as an ingredient.
Watch for: anchovies in Worcestershire sauce and Caesar dressing, fish sauce in Thai and Vietnamese food, and isinglass used to clarify some drinks.
Other names the checker looks for (22)
fish anchovy anchovies cod salmon tuna haddock pollock sardine sardines mackerel trout tilapia hake herring fish sauce fish oil fish gelatin and more
Peanuts
EU 14 · US 9Peanuts, which are legumes rather than tree nuts.
Watch for: groundnut and arachis oil, satay sauce, and unlabelled peanut flour in baked goods.
Other names the checker looks for (9)
peanut peanuts groundnut groundnuts arachis arachis oil monkey nuts peanut butter peanut flour
Soybeans
EU 14 · US 9Soybeans and products made from them.
Watch for: soy lecithin in chocolate, tofu, tempeh, miso, and soy protein in meat substitutes and processed meats.
Other names the checker looks for (17)
soy soya soybean soybeans soy lecithin soya lecithin soy protein soy sauce tofu tempeh edamame miso natto tamari shoyu textured vegetable protein tvp
Milk
EU 14 · US 9Cow's milk and milk from other mammals.
Watch for: whey, casein and caseinates, lactose, milk solids, ghee and butterfat. Cocoa butter, shea butter and plant milks are not dairy.
Other names the checker looks for (34)
milk milk powder skimmed milk skim milk whole milk buttermilk butter butterfat butter oil ghee cream sour cream cheese yogurt yoghurt kefir whey whey protein and more
Tree nuts
EU 14 · US 9Tree nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamias.
Watch for: marzipan and frangipane (almond), praline and gianduja (hazelnut), nut oils and nut butters. Coconut and nutmeg are not tree nuts under EU or UK rules.
Other names the checker looks for (28)
almond almonds hazelnut hazelnuts filbert walnut walnuts cashew cashews pecan pecans brazil nut brazil nuts pistachio pistachios macadamia macadamias queensland nut and more
Celery
EU 14Celery stalks, leaves, seeds and celeriac.
Watch for: celery salt, stock cubes, soups and spice mixes.
Other names the checker looks for (4)
celery celeriac celery seed celery salt
Mustard
EU 14Mustard seeds, powder, paste and oil.
Watch for: salad dressings, marinades, curry powders, and sauces such as barbecue and piccalilli.
Other names the checker looks for (5)
mustard mustard seed mustard seeds mustard flour mustard oil
Sesame
EU 14 · US 9Sesame seeds and sesame oil.
Watch for: tahini in hummus, halva, burger buns, and dukkah and za'atar spice blends.
Other names the checker looks for (10)
sesame sesame seed sesame seeds sesame oil tahini tahina halva halvah gomasio benne
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
EU 14 (above 10 mg/kg)Sulphur dioxide and sulphites above 10 mg/kg.
Watch for: wine, beer and cider, dried fruit, and processed potato products. They can trigger asthma symptoms as well as allergy.
Other names the checker looks for (19)
sulphite sulphites sulfite sulfites sulphur dioxide sulfur dioxide metabisulphite metabisulfite bisulphite bisulfite and more
Lupin
EU 14Lupin seeds and lupin flour, from a legume related to peanuts.
Watch for: some gluten-free bread and pasta, and baked goods from France and other European countries.
Other names the checker looks for (4)
lupin lupine lupin flour lupini
Molluscs
EU 14Mussels, clams, oysters, squid, octopus and snails.
Watch for: oyster sauce in stir-fries, fish stews and seafood stock.
Other names the checker looks for (25)
mollusc molluscs mollusk mollusks clam clams mussel mussels oyster oysters oyster sauce scallop scallops squid calamari octopus snail snails and more
Allergen labelling: common questions
What are the 14 major allergens?
In the EU and UK, 14 allergens must be declared on food labels: cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphur dioxide and sulphites, lupin and molluscs.
How are allergens shown on a label?
In the EU and UK they must stand out in the ingredient list, usually in bold or capitals. In the US they are declared by name, either in the list or in a separate "Contains" statement.
What does "may contain" mean?
It is a voluntary warning that the food was made where that allergen is handled, so traces are possible. It is not an ingredient. People with severe allergies are usually advised to avoid these products.
Which allergens hide under other names?
Milk hides as whey, casein, caseinate and lactose; wheat as semolina, durum and spelt; peanuts as groundnut and arachis oil; fish as anchovy in sauces. The checker knows these other names.
Are coconut and nutmeg tree nuts?
Not under EU or UK labelling rules. The US treats coconut as a tree nut for labelling. If you react to them, check with the maker.
Is this list the same everywhere?
No. The EU and UK require 14, the US requires nine, and other countries have their own lists. Always follow the rules and labels where you are shopping.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Recipes and labelling rules change, so always read the label on the pack you are buying, and speak to a healthcare professional about managing an allergy.
Sources: UK Food Standards Agency allergen guidance · US FDA food allergies · EU food information to consumers