Earlier this month, the BBC reported the story of Rex, a nine-year-old who suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction after eating a hot cross bun. The bun contained pea protein in its glaze – something his parents never expected to find in such a product.

Peas are not currently one of the 14 allergens that must be highlighted by law, which means families like Rex’s face a constant challenge: ingredients appearing in products where you least expect them.

Rex’s father described it as feeling like food is “booby-trapped”. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated case. From ice lollies to ice creams, pea protein and other “non-listed” allergens are becoming more common – leaving families feeling like they’re playing “a game of roulette” with every meal.

👉 You can read the full BBC article here: BBC News: Calls for pea protein to be added to allergen list

Should the allergen list expand?

Experts, parents, and young adults living with allergies are calling for the list of 14 allergens to be expanded to include foods like:

• Pea protein

• Pine nuts

• Buckwheat

• Sheep and goat’s milk

For those affected, adding these to the official list would be “life-changing” and, in some cases, “life-saving”.

Why this matters for food businesses

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently updated its guidance, urging the out-of-home sector to provide allergen information that is clear, accessible, and consistent. While the law currently recognises 14 allergens, customers’ real-world experiences show that hidden ingredients can cause just as much harm.

For restaurants, cafés, pubs, and caterers, this means two things:

1. Be proactive – don’t just rely on the 14 allergens; be ready to share all ingredients.

2. Make it easy for customers – remove the need for them to flick through thick allergen folders or rely on verbal reassurance.

How Allergen Checker helps

At Allergen Checker, we make this process simple:

• Upload your dishes and ingredients

• Generate a QR code for your menu

• Give diners instant access to clear allergen and ingredient information

It’s easy, it’s FSA-compliant, and best of all – it’s free to set up.

Final thought

Families like Rex’s deserve peace of mind. For food businesses, being transparent about allergens isn’t just about ticking a box – it’s about building trust and keeping customers safe.

👉 Start today at allergenchecker.co.uk and give your customers the confidence they deserve.