Free download
Print your chef cards
One A4 page per language — English, Français, Español, Italiano, Deutsch — with eight cut-out cards on each. Print on card if you can, cut along the dotted lines and keep the ones you need in your wallet or phone case.
What’s on the cards
Each card says, in plain words, that you have a serious food allergy (or coeliac disease), names what you cannot eat, and asks staff to check ingredients, sauces, cooking oil and utensils. There is one card for each of:
- Gluten / coeliac
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree nuts
- Sesame
- Fish & crustaceans
- Soya
We have kept the wording short and simple so it survives a busy pass. If your allergy is not covered, or you need to add detail (for example a specific nut), write it on the back of the nearest card.
Example: the milk card
English
I have a serious food allergy.
I cannot eat: Milk and dairy products
Even a small amount can make me very ill. Please check the ingredients, sauces, cooking oil and utensils.
Thank you!
Français
J’ai une allergie alimentaire grave.
Je ne peux pas manger : Lait et produits laitiers
Même une petite quantité peut me rendre très malade. Merci de vérifier les ingrédients, les sauces, l’huile de cuisson et les ustensiles.
Merci beaucoup !
Español
Tengo una alergia alimentaria grave.
No puedo comer: Leche y productos lácteos
Incluso una pequeña cantidad puede hacerme enfermar gravemente. Por favor, compruebe los ingredientes, las salsas, el aceite de cocina y los utensilios.
¡Muchas gracias!
Italiano
Ho una grave allergia alimentare.
Non posso mangiare: Latte e latticini
Anche una piccola quantità può farmi stare molto male. Per favore, controlli gli ingredienti, le salse, l’olio di cottura e gli utensili.
Grazie mille!
Deutsch
Ich habe eine schwere Lebensmittelallergie.
Ich darf Folgendes nicht essen: Milch und Milchprodukte
Schon eine kleine Menge kann mich sehr krank machen. Bitte prüfen Sie die Zutaten, Soßen, das Bratöl und die Küchenutensilien.
Vielen Dank!
Using the cards well
- Hand the card over and talk. A card supports a conversation; it does not replace one. The FSA advises businesses that written allergen information supported by a conversation works best.
- In the UK, ask for the allergen information. Restaurants, cafés and takeaways must be able to tell you if a dish contains any of the 14 allergens.
- Abroad, carry your medication and know the local emergency number (112 works across the EU).
- Read packaged food too. Our label guide covers “may contain” and “gluten free”.
Translations are deliberately simple. Ask a native speaker to check them if your allergy is severe, and do not rely on a card alone.
Sources and support
- Food Standards Agency — Allergen guidance for food businesses.
- Anaphylaxis UK — information and support for people at risk of serious allergic reactions.
- Coeliac UK — information on coeliac disease and eating out gluten free.
