What the allergen matrix does
The allergen matrix records which allergens are in every menu item. Staff look items up in the app during service, Ask Paddy uses it to answer customer questions, and you have one accurate source for a legal duty you cannot get wrong.
The 14 UK and EU allergens
Allergen | Common sources |
|---|---|
Cereals containing gluten | Wheat, rye, barley, oats |
Crustaceans | Prawns, crab, lobster |
Eggs | Mayonnaise, cakes, glazes |
Fish | Stocks, sauces, Worcestershire sauce |
Peanuts | Satay, oils, baked goods |
Soybeans | Tofu, soy sauce, oils |
Milk | Butter, cheese, cream, yoghurt |
Tree nuts | Almond, cashew, walnut, pecan |
Celery | Stalks, celeriac, stock, spice |
Mustard | Paste, powder, dressings |
Sesame | Tahini, breads, oils |
Sulphur dioxide / sulphites | Dried fruit, wine, some meats |
Lupin | Some flours and breads |
Molluscs | Mussels, squid, oysters |
US businesses track the 9 FDA major allergens instead, set automatically from your country.
Contains, may contain, and removable
Paddl records more than a yes or no. For each item you can capture:
Contains for an allergen present in the dish as served
May contain for cross-contamination risk
Removable for an allergen you can leave out on request, such as a nut garnish
Sub-allergens for detail under a heading, for example which tree nut or which cereal
Build it fast with AI
You do not have to type the whole menu. Upload a menu (PDF, Word, image, or spreadsheet) and Paddl extracts the items and likely allergens for you to confirm. You can also pull allergen data straight from a supplier specification or datasheet. Always review AI suggestions before relying on them, because the legal responsibility is yours.
Bulk import by spreadsheet
Go to Allergens and click Import
Download the CSV template
Fill it in, keeping the allergen columns in the template order
Upload the file
Mismatched columns cause wrong allergens. If you reorder the template columns, an item can end up tagged with the wrong allergen (gluten showing as milk, for example). Use the template as provided. If data imports wrongly, fix the file and re-import, or edit items individually.
PPDS and Natasha's Law
Food prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) must carry a full ingredients list with allergens emphasised, under Natasha's Law. Keep these items accurate in the matrix so your labels and the answers staff give are consistent.
Keeping it accurate
Update the matrix whenever the menu or a recipe changes. Paddl keeps a change history, and if a supplier specification changes it can flag the affected items so you can re-check them. Allergen accuracy is separate from staff allergen training, and you need both.
Exporting and sharing your matrix
Yes, you can export the matrix. On the Allergens page, click Export and pick a format:
Export as PDF gives you a colour-coded allergen matrix, ready to print or hand to a member of staff. It is the version to pin up in the kitchen or keep behind the counter for service.
Export as CSV gives you a spreadsheet of every item with its allergens, may-contain flags, supplier, and notes, which is useful for sharing with a head office or pulling into your own documents.
The export reflects the matrix exactly as it stands when you download it, so make sure recent changes are saved first. For a full set of allergen records inside a wider inspection bundle, the Audit Pack includes the allergen matrix alongside the rest of your compliance documents.