Guides
Food safety, allergen compliance, and operations guides for Irish food businesses.
The 14 EU Regulated Allergens Explained — Complete Reference for Food Businesses
Under EU Regulation 1169/2011 (the FIC Regulation), 14 allergen categories must be disclosed whenever they appear in food sold to consumers. This guide covers each allergen in detail — including the legal definition, hidden sources, exemptions, and practical notes for food businesses.
Preventing Allergen Cross-Contamination in Commercial Kitchens
Allergen disclosure on a menu is not enough on its own. A dish correctly declared as nut-free can still cause an allergic reaction if it is prepared using equipment shared with a nut-containing dish. This guide covers how cross-contamination happens and the practical controls that prevent it.
Allergen Staff Training for Food Businesses: A Complete Guide
Having a compliant allergen matrix is only half the job. If your staff cannot use it, escalate allergen queries correctly, or recognise when they're out of their depth, your entire allergen management system is compromised. This guide covers what the law requires, who needs training, what it must cover, and how to deliver it effectively.
How to Build an Allergen Matrix for Your Food Business (Free Template)
An allergen matrix is the backbone of your allergen management system — the document that maps every product you sell against every allergen it contains. This guide covers how to build one, what to include, how to maintain it, and what inspectors actually check.
HACCP Temperature Control for Food Businesses: A Practical Guide
Temperature is the single most important variable in food safety. Most foodborne illness results from food being held at the wrong temperature. This guide explains HACCP principles as they apply to temperature control, the legal requirements for food businesses in Ireland and the EU, and how to implement a compliant monitoring and record-keeping system.
The Complete Guide to EU FIC Allergen Compliance for Food Businesses
EU Regulation 1169/2011 — commonly called the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation — requires every food business operating in the EU to disclose allergen information on the food they sell. This guide explains exactly what's required, who it applies to, and how to comply.