Allergen Information at the Counter Toolbox Talk

This allergen information at the counter toolbox talk is designed for retail staff who serve ready‑made foods, snacks and beverages in shops, supermarkets, market stalls, food trucks, pop‑up stalls and event bars.

It highlights the risks of undeclared allergens, cross‑contamination and inaccurate PPDS labelling, and explains the legal duties under the Food Information Regulations 2014 and the pre‑packed for direct sale (PPDS) requirements introduced by Natasha’s Law.

• Use this toolbox talk for: training new counter staff, refresher briefings and pre‑opening safety checks.
• Use this toolbox talk for: ensuring compliance during audits, handling customer allergy queries and updating procedures after recipe changes.
• Use this toolbox talk for: documenting incidents, improving allergen management systems and supporting continuous improvement.

Each section provides a clear purpose, detailed activity description, reasons why it matters, practical DO and DON’T items and a concise important‑points summary.

Fully editable and shareable, this template can be customised to match your store layout, product range and branding while remaining compliant with the Food Information Regulations 2014 and Natasha’s Law. Gov.uk guidance

Regularly reviewing supplier allergen declarations and updating the board ensures ongoing compliance and helps the business respond quickly to new products or formulation changes, supporting audit readiness and customer confidence.

All staff should be encouraged to report any uncertainty about ingredient content immediately, and managers must verify any new product information before it reaches the counter. Keeping a log of allergen queries and updates provides evidence for inspections and demonstrates the business’s proactive approach to food safety. Regular training refreshers should be scheduled quarterly to keep knowledge current. Ongoing internal audits and customer feedback loops help identify gaps in allergen communication, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with the Food Information Regulations and Natasha’s Law.