Oral information
Allowed, with a clear notice that guests can ask, and a written or electronic record for staff and the NVWA.
Allergen rules for restaurants in the Netherlands.
Restaurants can give allergen information in writing (for example on a paper or digital menu) or orally. If you inform orally, guests must be told clearly that they can ask, and the information must also exist in writing for staff and the NVWA.
- Legal basis
- Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 and Dutch implementing rules (Warenwet)
- Enforced by
- NVWA
- Written information
- Written or oral
- Oral information
- Yes, with notice and written record
What you need to do
- Give information on the 14 allergens in each dish.
- Written: on cards, a paper or digital menu, or refer guests to where the information is (a notice or a folder).
- Oral: show clearly that guests can ask staff, for example “Do you have an allergy? Let us know.”
- Keep the information in writing or electronically for staff and inspectors, such as a matrix of dishes against the 14 allergens.
QR code menus
A digital menu is mentioned as a written option, but the guidance we checked doesn’t mention QR codes specifically. Keep a printed version available for guests who can’t scan.
Calories
There is no general rule requiring calories on restaurant menus in the Netherlands.
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 the Netherlands, 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 the Netherlands?
Allowed, with a clear notice that guests can ask, and a written or electronic record for staff and the NVWA.
Is a QR code menu enough in the Netherlands?
A digital menu is mentioned as a written option, but the guidance we checked doesn’t mention QR codes specifically. Keep a printed version available for guests who can’t scan.
Do restaurants in the Netherlands have to show calories?
There is no general rule requiring calories on restaurant menus in the Netherlands.
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.
