In Italy, information about 14 groups of allergens is mandatory for non-prepacked food, including dishes served in restaurants and bars. The information must relate to the specific dish. It may appear in a menu, register, prominent notice or digital system, and written documentation must be available on request. If a particular food triggers your reaction, name it before ordering and ask staff to check every component of the dish.
How to order safely with a food allergy in Italy
- Show a card naming the allergen in Italian and state whether even traces are dangerous.
- Ask for the elenco degli allergeni — allergen list and find the dish you intend to order.
- Ask the waiter to have the kitchen check the sauce, stock, coating and filling.
- For a severe allergy, ask whether the fryer, grill, knives or gelato scoops are shared.
- Order only once you have a clear answer about the ingredients and preparation method.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis: when to call 112 in Italy
Call 112 if the tongue or throat suddenly swells, the voice becomes hoarse, breathing or swallowing is difficult, or there is marked confusion, sudden dizziness or loss of consciousness. Say that you suspect anaphylaxis. If a doctor has prescribed an adrenaline auto-injector, use it in accordance with your personal action plan and its instructions.
Call 112Where to look for allergens in the menu of an Italian restaurant
Allergens may be identified by numbers or letters and explained elsewhere in the menu. If no list is available at the table, ask staff for written information. For a complex dish, check the ingredients in that particular version of the sauce, stock, coating, filling and garnish.
For a severe allergy, ask separately about tracce — possible traces of the product and shared equipment. Vegano means that a food contains no animal products, while senza glutine means gluten-free; neither label addresses every other allergen.
Romagna cuisine: what to check in popular dishes
Recipes vary from one establishment to another, so this table does not replace the restaurant’s own allergen information. It lists ingredients worth asking about before ordering popular dishes from Romagna.
| Dish | Typical ingredients | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Piadina romagnola pya-DEE-na ro-man-YO-la | Wheat flour, water, salt and fat. A traditional piadina is made with pork fat, or strutto; versions made with olive oil are also available. | If you avoid pork for religious or ethical reasons, ask: È fatta con lo strutto? — “Is it made with pork fat?” Also check the filling. |
| Passatelli in brodo pas-sa-TEL-lee in BRO-do | Breadcrumbs, Parmigiano Reggiano, eggs, spices and stock. | Gluten, milk and eggs; the stock may contain celery. |
| Cappelletti kap-pel-LET-tee | Pasta made with flour and eggs; the filling often contains ricotta, another cheese or meat. | Gluten, eggs and milk; check the filling and stock. |
| Tagliatelle al ragù / lasagne tal-ya-TEL-le al ra-GOO / la-ZAN-ye | Egg pasta and meat sauce; lasagne also contains béchamel and cheese. | Gluten, eggs and milk; the ragù may contain celery. |
| Fritto misto di mare FREE-to MEES-to dee MA-re | Fish, squid, prawns and a flour coating. | Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and gluten; ask about the shared fryer and tongs. |
| Grigliata di pesce greel-YA-ta dee PE-she | Different types of grilled fish and seafood. | Fish, crustaceans and molluscs; ask about the shared grill, marinade and sauce. |
| Gelato artigianale je-LA-to ar-tee-ja-NA-le | A milk or fruit base; flavours may include pistachio, hazelnut or almond. | Milk, eggs, nuts and soya; ask about the shared display and scoops used across flavours. |
| Tiramisù and semifreddo tee-ra-mee-SOO and se-mee-FRED-do | Mascarpone or cream, eggs and biscuits; nuts may also be used. | Milk, eggs, gluten and nuts; check the specific recipe and decoration. |
Allergens in Italian sauces and broths
Sauce ingredients depend on the recipe. Pesto may contain cheese, pine nuts or other nuts; salsa tonnata may contain fish, egg, anchovies or mustard; and salsa verde may contain anchovies, bread, egg or mustard. Ask whether ragù and stocks contain celery or other allergens.
When asking about nuts, name the forms in which they may appear: paste, flour, crumbs, butter, cream or dessert decoration. Ask about shared utensils as well. Pinoli, or pine nuts, are not among the eight tree nuts listed in Annex II to the EU regulation, but they may still cause an individual reaction, so name them separately.
Allergens in Italian for a restaurant in Italy
| Italian | Approximate pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| cereali contenenti glutine | cheh-reh-AH-lee kon-teh-NEN-tee GLOO-tee-neh | cereals containing gluten |
| crostacei | kroh-STAH-cheh-ee | crustaceans |
| uova | WOH-vah | eggs |
| pesce | PEH-sheh | fish |
| arachidi | ah-RAH-kee-dee | peanuts |
| soia | SO-ya | soya |
| latte | LAT-te | milk, including lactose |
| frutta a guscio | FROOT-tah ah GOO-shoh | tree nuts |
| sedano | SEH-dah-noh | celery |
| senape | SEH-nah-peh | mustard |
| semi di sesamo | SE-mee dee SE-za-mo | sesame seeds |
| anidride solforosa e solfiti | a-NEE-dree-de sol-fo-RO-za e sol-FEE-tee | sulphur dioxide and sulphites above the prescribed threshold |
| lupini | loo-PEE-nee | lupin |
| molluschi | moh-LOO-skee | molluscs |
Frutta a guscio includes mandorle (man-DOR-leh; almonds), nocciole (not-CHO-leh; hazelnuts), noci (NO-chee; walnuts), anacardi (ah-nah-KAR-dee; cashews), noci pecan (NO-chee peh-KAN; pecans), noci del Brasile (NO-chee del brah-ZEE-leh; Brazil nuts), pistacchi (pee-STAK-kee; pistachios) and noci macadamia (NO-chee mah-kah-DAH-mee-ah; macadamia nuts).
What to tell a doctor about an allergic reaction in Italy
Tell the doctor the name of the dish, when it was eaten, when the first symptom appeared, how the reaction developed and which medicines have already been taken. Photograph the menu or written ingredients, keep the receipt and, if this does not delay care, ask the restaurant to record the ingredients used in the dish.
If an auto-injector was used, give the medicine, dose and time it was administered. Also mention previous reactions, asthma, known allergens and any prescribed action plan.
First aid for a severe allergic reaction
- Stop eating and tell the staff. Keep the menu, receipt and information about the dish, but do not delay emergency help while trying to establish the recipe.
- If you suspect anaphylaxis, call 112 immediately. Give the restaurant’s address, describe the symptoms and name the known allergen.
- Use the prescribed adrenaline auto-injector in accordance with the person’s action plan and the device instructions.
- Lay the person down and do not let them stand or walk. If breathing is very difficult, their shoulders may be raised carefully. Follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
- If the person loses consciousness, tell the operator whether they are breathing and follow the operator’s instructions.
- Do not cancel the call if the person improves. Anaphylaxis requires urgent medical assessment.
Useful Italian phrases in a restaurant
- Sono allergico/a a…SOH-noh al-LER-jee-koh/kah ah…I'm allergic to...
- Questa allergia può causare anafilassi.KWEH-stah al-ler-JEE-ah pwoh kow-ZAH-reh ah-nah-fee-LAS-seeThis allergy can cause anaphylaxis.
- Vorrei vedere l’elenco degli allergeni.vor-RAY veh-DEH-reh leh-LEN-koh DEL-yee al-ler-JEH-neeI would like to see the allergen list.
- Potete controllare tutti gli ingredienti?poh-TEH-teh kon-trol-LAH-reh TOOT-tee lyee een-greh-dee-EN-teeCan you check all the ingredients?
- Contiene frutta a guscio o arachidi?kon-TYEH-neh FROOT-tah ah GOO-shoh oh ah-RAH-kee-deeDoes this contain tree nuts or peanuts?
- Contiene latte, uova, glutine o soia?kon-TYEH-neh LAT-teh WOH-vah GLOO-tee-neh oh SOY-yahDoes this contain milk, eggs, gluten or soya?
- Ci sono tracce di…?chee SOH-noh TRAT-cheh dee…?Could this contain traces of…?
- È stato cucinato nello stesso olio?eh STAH-toh koo-chee-NAH-toh NEL-loh STES-soh OH-lyohWas it cooked in the same oil?
- Usate utensili separati?oo-ZAH-teh oo-ten-SEE-lee seh-pah-RAH-teeDo you use separate utensils?
Useful phrases for reporting anaphylaxis to 112
- È una grave reazione allergica.eh OO-nah GRAH-veh reh-at-TSYOH-neh al-LER-jee-kahIt's a severe allergic reaction.
- Abbiamo bisogno di un’ambulanza.ab-BYAH-moh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oo-nam-boo-LAN-tsahWe need an ambulance.
- Siamo al ristorante… in via… a Rimini.SYAH-moh al ree-stoh-RAN-teh… een VEE-ah… ah REE-mee-neeWe are at the restaurant… on Via… in Rimini.
- Potrebbe essere anafilassi.poh-TREB-beh ES-seh-reh ah-nah-fee-LAS-seeIt could be anaphylaxis.
- Ha difficoltà a respirare.ah dee-fee-kol-TAH ah reh-spee-RAH-rehThey are having difficulty breathing.
- Ha usato l’autoiniettore di adrenalina.ah oo-ZAH-toh low-toh-een-yet-TOH-reh dee ah-dreh-nah-LEE-nahThey have used an adrenaline auto-injector.
- Sto vomitando.stoh voh-mee-TAN-dohI'm vomiting.
- Ho la diarrea.oh lah dee-ar-REH-ahI have diarrhoea.
- Ho la febbre.oh lah FEB-brehI have a fever.
- Chiamate il numero uno uno due.kyah-MAH-teh eel NOO-meh-roh OO-noh OO-noh DOO-ehCall 112.
Frequently asked questions about restaurant allergies in Italy
When should I call 112 for an allergic reaction in Italy?
Call 112 if the tongue or throat suddenly swells, breathing or swallowing is difficult, or there is marked confusion, sudden dizziness or loss of consciousness. Say that you suspect anaphylaxis.
Where can I find allergen information in an Italian restaurant?
The information must relate to the specific dish. It may appear in a menu, register, prominent notice or digital system, and written documentation must be available on request.
What should I do with a prescribed auto-injector if I suspect anaphylaxis?
Use the prescribed auto-injector in accordance with the personal action plan and its instructions, then call 112. Do not stand or walk while waiting for help.
Official sources
- Italian Ministry of Health: food allergies and mandatory information on 14 allergens
- Italian Ministry of Health: anaphylaxis, adrenaline auto-injectors and calling 112
- EUR-Lex: EU Regulation No 1169/2011, Article 44 and Annex II
- Italian Ministry of Health: written and digital allergen information in restaurants
- Italian Ministry of Health: emergency numbers 112 and 118
- NHS: body positioning and medical assessment for anaphylaxis
Sources checked on 23 August 2026. The NHS material is used only to clarify positioning when breathing is difficult and the need for medical assessment. This article cannot provide a diagnosis and does not replace a personal action plan issued by a doctor. The article has not undergone independent medical review.
Ask about interpreting availability
For dangerous symptoms, call 112 first. For other conversations, tell me whom you need to speak to and the subject; I will confirm whether I can interpret in your situation.