International law firm Eversheds has welcomed the Food Standards Agency's new voluntary guidelines on warning consumers about possible allergens in food eaten in restaurants and cafés.

Owen Warnock, partner and food law expert, said: "I welcome the fact that it expressly says it shouldn't be used as a guide to enforcement by the authorities. Non-observance is not to be regarded as an indication that an offence has been committed. This is quite right, because this is a best practice guide."

The guidelines suggest that products made with allergenic ingredients should be listed on a card, label or menu. However, this is not compulsory and an alternative is to ensure all staff are equipped to answer questions from consumers.

Warnock added: "It assumes that it is up to the allergic consumer to ask for information about ingredients. It stresses, however, that if the consumer is given such information, it must be accurate."