Buffet allergy warnings

News Staff Reporter Hotels and other establishments that serve buffet-style meals now have to display information on its menus warning customers if the food contains ingredients that could provoke an allergic reaction or affect their intolerance levels.

The new European Union legislation obliges establishments to clearly state if food contains cereals, nuts, eggs or soya which are known to provoke allergic reactions, that in some instances can be very serious.

Other products that have to be identified include shellfish, milk and dairy products, garlic, mustard, sesame seeds and sulphur dioxide which is used as an antioxidant and preservative in dried fruits, wine and processed potatoes.

The new legislation is due to come into effect and establishments in Spain will have six months to conform.

The Benidorm and Costa Blanca hotel owners association, Hosbec, has already started a programme to train up people on how to comply with the new legislation, how to incorporate the new signage and most importantly how to use those products that cause the most problems.

A Hosbec spokesman said that its members have gone a step further by placing informative signs on hotplates above each dish indicating what it contains.

Some Benidorm hotels already inform guests of the nutritional value of each dish along with the number of calories it contains along with the amount of saturated fat, sugar and salt.

This gives guests the opportunity to make an informed choice over what they want to eat and also promotes a healthier lifestyle.