Whether you’re in an exclusive restaurant or snatching a quick sausage from a late-night stall, you may see one or more capital letters or numbers next to the food and dishes written on menus or display boards. Why?
- Allergen codes mandated by EU food safety laws
- Not always listed (outlets can opt to provide the same information verbally, for example)
- See also:
Allergy information
(The ubiquitous Schnitzel)
Here’s a sample menu entry for a pork Wiener Schnitzel and a side salad:
So what’s this all about? C, G, A? L, M, O?
Fortunately, the letters aren’t some obscure coded message designed to confuse foreigners. They actually serve a useful purpose.
Each capital letter simply stands for a particular ingredient found in that food or dish. Not just any ingredient, but “substances or products causing allergies or intolerances”.
EU law demands the communication of this allergy information to ensure, for example, you don’t find your meal or holiday ruined by an unfortunate reaction.
Here’s the list of allergens and similar substances typically used in Viennese establishments:
- A (Cereals containing gluten)
- B (Crustaceans)
- C (Eggs)
- D (Fish)
- E (Peanuts)
- F (Soja)
- G (Milk and/or lactose)
- H (Nuts)
- L (Celery)
- M (Mustard)
- N (Sesame seed)
- O (Sulphur dioxide and sulphites)
- P (Lupins)
- R (Molluscs)
The list corresponds to the 14 categories given in Annex 2 of the EU’s regulation (#1169/2011) covering the provision of food information to consumers.
If you have food allergies or intolerances, check the EU’s food information legislation page to find fuller details of what each category does and does not cover.
(Hazelnuts, walnuts and cashews come under code H)
So our Schnitzel (C, G, A) from the menu listing above might include eggs, dairy, and gluten, while the side salad (L, M, O) might include celery, mustard, and sulphites.
Sometimes you find numbers instead of letters: whatever code is used, the corresponding key should be available somewhere.
Many outlets choose to include the codes in the menu itself; hence all those letters in our example. (Though most tend to be a little bit more subtle in their presentation.)
No capital letters or numbers at all on menus does not, however, usually mean the allergens are absent: the location likely decided to communicate the required information in another way.
In such cases, look for the allergy information posted on the wall or above the counter. Or the outlet may have trained its staff to clarify what’s in what if asked.
If a restaurant, bar or similar chooses the talk-to-the-staff option, then they must make it clear somewhere that you can ask for this information.
Note that the allergen information may be absent if it’s blatantly obvious.
For example, a restaurant need not indicate that your egg salad with mustard dressing contains egg and mustard: the clue is in the name.
FAQs
Fortunately, the letters aren't some obscure coded message designed to confuse foreigners. They actually serve a useful purpose. Each capital letter simply stands for a particular ingredient found in that food or dish. Not just any ingredient, but “substances or products causing allergies or intolerances”.
What does D mean on a menu? ›
A: L and D stand for "Lunch" and "Dinner".
What does aq mean on a menu? ›
aq (not comparable) as quoted (used on a menu to indicate that the price is not listed because it varies depending on the composition of a dish (as in a charcuterie or cheese platter) or because it is particularly high)
What is lupin allergy? ›
Lupin allergy is not more severe than other types of food allergies. Like all allergic reactions, symptoms vary. Those who are allergic to lupin have reported reactions ranging from hives and swelling of the lips and face to more severe symptoms involving gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory distress.
What is the national dish of Vienna? ›
The famous food of Austria 'Vienna Schnitzel' is made of a layer of thin bread along with a pan-fried veal cutlet. It is also considered as the national dish of Austria.
What is the famous sandwich in Vienna? ›
Open sandwiches (Belegte Brote) are a common Viennese snack, made popular by the iconic company Trzesniewski. Small slabs of rye bread with a wide variety of toppings, and often accompanied by a Pfiff (small quantity) of beer, they are perfect for a mid-morning snack.
What does G mean on a menu? ›
So our Schnitzel (C, G, A) from the menu listing above might include eggs, dairy, and gluten, while the side salad (L, M, O) might include celery, mustard, and sulphites.
What does k mean on a menu? ›
The letter "K" in a circle is a certification mark indicating Kosher products certified by OK Laboratories, of which the administrator is Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, succeeding his father Rabbi Bernard Levy.
What does p mean on a food menu? ›
ND - No dairy
H - Halal. P - Pescatarian. The dietary tags in bold have been changed from 'nut-free' and 'dairy-free' to 'no nuts' and 'no dairy'.
What do gf and df mean on a menu? ›
Vegan (VG), Vegetarian (V), Gluten free (GF), and Dairy free (DF) are the most requested preferences.
V – Vegetarian GF – Gluten Free VG – Vegan DF – Dairy Free We believe that food is a celebration and should be treated a. Page 1.
What does SQ mean on a restaurant menu? ›
SQ is Subject to Quotation or Market Price. They printed the menus and are keeping the price of that item subject to change based on how much it costs them to purchase that day or how fast they're selling.
What is PPDS food? ›
Prepacked for direct sale or PPDS is food that is packaged at the same place it is offered or sold to consumers and is in this packaging before it is ordered or selected.
Is celery a food allergen? ›
Celery is included in the list of top 14 major food allergens in the UK. This means it must be highlighted on ingredients labels, in bold for example.
Can celery cause anaphylactic shock? ›
Primary celery allergy is not as common but may cause more severe reactions. Symptoms can range from mild reactions such as itching, swelling or hives to anaphylaxis (the more severe form of allergic reaction requiring the use of an adrenaline auto injector).
What is Austria's main food? ›
Roasted. Roast beef with crispy fried onions, duck, goose and lamb recipes form the basis of Austrian cuisine. Roast beef with crispy fried onions, duck, goose and lamb recipes form the basis of Austrian cuisine.
What is Vienna Austria most known for? ›
Vienna has been called the "City of Music" due to its musical legacy, as many famous classical musicians such as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schoenberg, Schubert, Johann Strauss I and Johann Strauss II lived and worked there.
What is the national dessert of Vienna? ›
Sachertorte: This chocolate cake is one of the most famous Viennese desserts. It was created in 1832 by Franz Sacher, and it is made of two layers of chocolate cake filled with apricot jam and topped with a layer of chocolate icing.
Is Vienna a foodie city? ›
In addition to sleek and sophisticated contemporary venues, Vienna is also rife with storied institutions that highlight the rich culinary history of the city, with Café Goldegg serving as one of its most charming venues.
