Australia & NZ Allergen Rules for Restaurants 2026
Learn the required allergen names, where PEAL applies, and how to keep customer-facing information connected to reviewed recipes and supplier data.
FSANZ & PEAL: Plain English Allergen Labelling
Allergen rules in Australia and New Zealand come from the Food Standards Code maintained by FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand). The landmark reform is PEAL — Plain English Allergen Labelling (Proposal P1044): allergens must be declared with specific required names, in bold, both in the ingredient list and in a "Contains" summary statement where required. The new rules took effect on 25 February 2024. Food packaged and labelled before that date could continue to be sold until 25 February 2026 if it met the previous declaration rules.
The core idea is precision. Under PEAL, "tree nuts" is not a valid declaration — the label (and your staff) must name almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pine nut, pistachio or walnut specifically. Seafood splits into fish, crustacea and mollusc; wheat is declared separately from relevant gluten cereals under the applicable conditions. For food service, check the Code and the current guidance of the relevant state, territory or New Zealand authority rather than copying packaged-label rules directly onto a menu.
Plain-language, consistent terms help customers find and understand allergen declarations. They do not resolve cross-contact, undocumented substitutions or incomplete supplier information. A business still needs operational controls and a reliable escalation path when an answer cannot be verified.
Enforcement and food-service requirements vary by jurisdiction. The practical goal is a reviewed record that connects the guest-facing menu with recipes, supplier labels, substitutions and cross-contact procedures. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
The FSANZ Allergens & Their Required Names
Check Standard 1.2.3, Schedule 9 and current FSANZ guidance for exact conditions
Peanuts
Peanut — its own required name, separate from tree nuts
Satay, Asian sauces, baked goods, dressings
Tree nuts — by NAME
Almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, walnut
PEAL requires the SPECIFIC nut name — "tree nuts" alone is not compliant
Milk
Cow's milk, butter, cream, cheese
Flat white culture: milk hides in sauces, baked goods, desserts
Egg
Chicken eggs and derivatives
Mayonnaise, fresh pasta, brunch dishes, batters, pavlova
Fish
All finfish (barramundi, snapper, salmon...)
Fish sauce, Worcestershire, stocks, Caesar dressing
Crustacea — by name
Prawn, crab, lobster (declared specifically)
Prawn dishes, laksa, seafood platters, bisques
Mollusc — by name
Oyster, squid, octopus, scallop, mussel
Declared separately from crustacea under PEAL
Sesame
Sesame seeds, sesame oil, tahini
Burger buns, hummus, halloumi dishes, Asian cuisine
Soy
Soybeans, tofu, soy lecithin
Soy sauce, miso, tempeh, emulsifiers
Wheat & gluten cereals
Wheat declared separately from gluten (barley, rye, oats)
PEAL splits "wheat" and "gluten" into separate required declarations
Lupin
Lupin seeds, lupin flour
Gluten-free baking, specialty flours — an allergen Australia shares with the EU list
Sulphites
Added sulphites ≥10 mg/kg
Wine, dried fruits, sausages, condiments
The "Specific Name" Problem During a Friday Rush
Relying on staff memory
- A guest asks which NUT is in the crumble — the new hire only knows "nuts"
- A broad answer can hide the specific ingredient a guest needs to understand
- Casual and seasonal staff turnover makes consistent training nearly impossible
- Laksa night: fish sauce, crustacea, peanut, sesame — four declarations in one bowl
- Tourists ask in languages your team doesn't speak
IAMenu digital menu + Super Chef AI
- AI suggestions flag categories for a human to verify before publishing
- Reviewed descriptions can record the specific source (almond, prawn, tahini...)
- Guests filter the menu by allergen themselves on their own phone
- 53-language catalog with 2, 4 or 8 active languages by plan; translations require review
- Recipe or supplier changes trigger a fresh operator review
PEAL Compliance Checklist — 10 Steps
Map every dish against the FSANZ required names — including individual tree nuts (almond, cashew, walnut...)
Split seafood into fish, crustacea and mollusc in your allergen records — PEAL treats them separately
Declare wheat separately from gluten cereals (barley, rye, oats) as PEAL requires
Train staff to use verified, specific ingredient and allergen names instead of broad guesses
Keep written per-dish allergen documentation available for staff during service
Check supplier labels: the stock-in-trade period for food labelled before 25 February 2024 ended on 25 February 2026
Update allergen information immediately whenever a recipe, supplier or substitution changes
Reduce cross-contact in the kitchen: separate prep areas, utensils and fryers where possible
Define an emergency anaphylaxis protocol and train staff on their authorised response
Use a digital menu as an accessible reviewed record, not as automatic detection or a safety guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions About PEAL & Allergens
What is PEAL and when did it become mandatory?+
PEAL means Plain English Allergen Labelling. FSANZ developed the requirements through Proposal P1044. The new labelling rules took effect on 25 February 2024. Food packaged and labelled before that date could continue to be sold until 25 February 2026 if it complied with the previous rules. The requirements address specified names, format and location on labels; use the current FSANZ business guidance for the complete rules and exceptions.
Does PEAL apply to restaurants and cafés?+
PEAL is principally a labelling framework, and the exact requirements differ for packaged and unpackaged food. Food-service businesses should check the Food Standards Code plus the guidance of their state, territory or New Zealand authority for how information must be provided. Do not assume that a packaged-label rule maps word-for-word to every restaurant menu.
What are the "required names" under PEAL?+
FSANZ lists required names including wheat, fish, crustacean, mollusc, egg, milk, lupin, peanut, soy, sesame, individual tree nuts, relevant gluten-containing cereals and sulphites at the applicable threshold. Read Standard 1.2.3, Schedule 9 and current FSANZ guidance for the exact conditions and presentation rules.
Why do specific required names matter?+
Consistent plain-language terms make allergen information easier to find and understand. For example, FSANZ guidance requires individual tree nuts to be declared separately rather than hiding every source behind one broad label. Specific names still do not address cross-contact or prove that a dish is safe.
What happens if my staff give wrong allergen information?+
The consequences depend on the applicable law and facts. Inaccurate information can lead to regulatory action and, if someone is harmed, broader liability. Staff should never guess: pause, consult current recipes and supplier data, and follow the venue's escalation procedure.
How does IAMenu handle the "specific name" requirement?+
IAMenu can suggest possible allergen categories from the menu context and keeps the operator in control of the published record. The restaurant must verify the specific ingredient source, recipes, supplier labels, substitutions and cross-contact. An EU-oriented category set is not automatic PEAL compliance, so map published terminology to current FSANZ requirements.
Does it work for tourist-facing venues?+
IAMenu has a 53-language catalog with 2, 4 or 8 active languages by plan. Translation drafts can make information accessible to more guests, but safety-critical terms require human review and staff must still handle questions using verified recipe and cross-contact information.
How much does allergen compliance with IAMenu cost?+
IAMenu publishes euro-denominated plans at €19, €39 and €69 per month. The 14-day trial uses Professional features and does not require a credit card. Software can support the workflow, but purchasing a plan is not evidence of regulatory compliance.
"Which Nut Exactly?" — Be Ready for the Question
Keep a reviewed menu record connected to recipes and supplier data, and never let AI replace a verified answer. 14-day Professional trial, no credit card required.
Start 14-Day Trial