Allergen Labeling on Your Menu: The Austrian LMIV Rules
Anyone serving food to guests must inform them about the allergens it contains. It sounds complicated, but with a digital menu it's done quickly. Here's the simple overview – what applies and how to do it digitally.
You must inform guests about these 14 allergens
The 14 allergen groups in Annex II of the EU Food Information Regulation apply. For written information, Austria's Ministry of Health recommends the letter codes A to R. They include, among others:
- A – cereals containing gluten
- C – egg
- D – fish
- G – milk (incl. lactose)
- H – tree nuts
- R – molluscs
If you use the codes, guests need a clearly visible key to what the letters stand for.
Verbal or written?
Both are possible. If you inform verbally, you need trained staff and a clearly visible notice that the information is available on request. Either way, the information must be based on written documentation. With a digital menu, the allergens are also shown in writing on the dish.
How to show allergens digitally
Assign allergens per dish
Select the relevant codes A–R for each dish – set once, it stays saved.
Automatically visible to guests
Guests see the allergens on the dish with their codes A–R.
Changes instantly live
New recipe? One click and the information is up to date.
Note: this article is a general overview and is not legal advice. When in doubt, contact your responsible authority.
Frequently asked questions
Which allergens must I inform guests about?
The 14 allergen groups in Annex II of the EU Food Information Regulation. For written information, Austria's Ministry of Health recommends the codes A to R — for example A for cereals containing gluten, C for egg, and G for milk.
Is verbal information enough?
Yes, if trained staff give it and a clearly visible notice says the information is available on request. Either way, the information must be based on written documentation.
How do I show allergens digitally?
You assign the relevant allergens to each dish. Your guests see them on the dish with the codes A–R.
Does this apply to small businesses too?
Yes. The information requirement applies to every food business serving unpackaged food to guests — the regulation makes no exception by business size.