Oral information
Oral information alone isn’t enough; it can only supplement written information in specific settings.
Allergen rules for restaurants in Ireland.
In Ireland, allergen information for non-prepacked food must be in writing, at the point where the food is presented or sold. Customers must be able to find it before they buy, without having to ask.
- Legal basis
- S.I. No. 489 of 2014 (updated by S.I. No. 656 of 2024)
- Enforced by
- Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)
- Written information
- Required
- Oral information
- No (written required)
What you need to do
- Give the 14 allergens in writing, in English (or Irish and English).
- Link the information directly to each specific dish; it must be legible.
- Customers must be able to find it before buying without having to ask staff.
- A folder or an electronic format in one or more clearly visible locations can work, if each dish is clearly linked to its allergens.
QR code menus
Electronic formats are allowed, but the FSAI page doesn’t mention QR codes. Because customers must find the information without asking, keep written information visible on the premises.
Calories
Calories on menus are voluntary in Ireland; plans for a mandatory rule were shelved.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and local authorities may interpret them differently; check with your food authority. Last checked: October 2026.
With Menuvola
Written allergen information, kept in sync.
Menuvola doesn’t replace your food authority’s guidance for Ireland, but it gives you the written, dish-by-dish information most rules expect, in every format.
- 14 allergens per dishIngredients, allergens and calories are required for every item; incomplete items stay in draft.
- Printed allergen sheetPrint an A4 or A3 allergen and calorie sheet from the same data for guests who can’t or don’t want to scan.
- QR menu with a noticeTable cards and the printed menu carry a notice that allergen information is available.
- Suggestions, not guessesAs you type ingredients, the panel suggests possible allergens (e.g. “butter” → milk); you confirm them.
- Four languagesMenus and printed documents in English, German, Russian and Turkish.
- kcal and kJA calorie calculator built on an ingredient database, shown per portion.
Questions you may have.
Can staff give allergen information orally in Ireland?
Oral information alone isn’t enough; it can only supplement written information in specific settings.
Is a QR code menu enough in Ireland?
Electronic formats are allowed, but the FSAI page doesn’t mention QR codes. Because customers must find the information without asking, keep written information visible on the premises.
Do restaurants in Ireland have to show calories?
Calories on menus are voluntary in Ireland; plans for a mandatory rule were shelved.
Try Menuvola free for 14 days.
Set up your menu, print your allergen sheet and see how it works for your business. No card needed.
