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Tourism & Hospitality vocabulary · Food & Beverage Service

Allergen

Meaning in tourism & hospitality, with examples

/ˈælədʒən/nounCommon term

In tourism & hospitality, allergen means: A substance in food, such as gluten, nuts, milk or eggs, that can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

In Turkish: alerjen

How it is used

EU and UK food rules list 14 major allergens, and restaurants must be able to tell guests which of them a dish contains. Buffets often show allergen symbols on food labels. Staff should never guess: "Let me check with the chef which allergens are in this dish."

Example sentences

  1. All allergens are shown on the cards next to each dish on the buffet.

  2. Please tell your waiter about any allergies, and we'll check the allergens with the kitchen.

Common collocations

  • allergen information
  • contain allergens
  • allergen labelling
  • 14 major allergens
  • allergen-free
  • dietary requirementsSpecial needs about food that a guest has because of health, allergies, religion or personal choice, such as gluten-free or vegan meals.
  • gluten-freeDescribes food made without gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, which people with coeliac disease cannot eat.
  • buffetA meal where dishes are laid out on long tables and guests serve themselves, choosing what and how much they want.
  • waiterA person who takes orders and serves food and drinks to guests at their tables in a restaurant or bar.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Food & Beverage Service

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