UK law names 14 allergens that food businesses must declare. Toby Carvery says dish-level allergen information is in the Menus section of its website, that an allergen guide is available on site, and that it has no dedicated gluten-free menu.
This guide lists the 14 allergens, explains how to check a dish, how to order more safely at a self-serve carvery, and what V and VE labels do and do not tell you. It is not allergy advice: always tell staff before you order.
How this guide was put together. Statements about what Toby Carvery offers come from its own FAQ page, which we read in October 2026. The allergen definitions follow UK food information law and Food Standards Agency guidance. Examples of where allergens appear are general food knowledge, not statements about specific Toby Carvery recipes.
Last reviewed October 2026. Related guides: Toby Carvery menu, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian, nutrition and calories, kids’ menu and the app.
The 14 Allergens at Toby Carvery and in UK Law
UK food information law requires food businesses to tell customers when a dish contains any of these 14 allergens. The wording below follows the legal list.
| # | Allergen | What it covers in UK law | Common places in food generally |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celery | Celery stalks, leaves, seeds and celeriac | Stock, soups, sauces, salads |
| 2 | Cereals containing gluten | Wheat (including spelt and Khorasan), rye, barley and oats | Bread, pastry, batter, gravy thickeners |
| 3 | Crustaceans | Prawns, crab, lobster, crayfish | Seafood starters, sauces |
| 4 | Eggs | Hen and other birds’ eggs | Batter, puddings, mayonnaise, baking |
| 5 | Fish | All fish | Fish dishes, some sauces |
| 6 | Lupin | Lupin seeds and flour | Some breads, pastries and flour mixes |
| 7 | Milk | Milk, butter, cheese, cream, yoghurt | Sauces, desserts, hot drinks, cheese dishes |
| 8 | Molluscs | Mussels, oysters, squid, snails | Seafood dishes, some sauces |
| 9 | Mustard | Mustard seed, powder and liquid | Dressings, sauces, glazes |
| 10 | Tree nuts | Eight named nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia | Desserts, toppings, salads |
| 11 | Peanuts | Groundnuts (a legume, not a tree nut) | Sauces, desserts, snacks |
| 12 | Sesame | Sesame seeds, oil and paste | Bread, dips, dressings |
| 13 | Soya | Soya beans, flour, protein | Sauces, processed foods, desserts |
| 14 | Sulphites | Sulphur dioxide or sulphites above 10 parts per million | Wine, cider, dried fruit, some sauces |
Examples only: the last column shows where each allergen commonly appears in food in general. It does not say what is in any Toby Carvery dish. Check the dish information.
How to Check Allergen Information at Toby Carvery
Toby Carvery points guests to three things, and the first two are the main sources.
1. The website
The Menus section lets you click or tap a dish to see what it contains.
2. The on-site guide
An allergen guide is available during your visit for the most up-to-date information.
3. A team member
Talk to a team member about dietary requests. Chefs will do their best to accommodate you.
There is no dedicated gluten-free menu, so gluten-free diners rely on these same three routes. Read the gluten-free guide for more.
How to Order Safely With an Allergy at a Carvery
A carvery is a shared, self-serve format, so cross-contact is a real consideration. These six steps are habits, not guarantees.
| Step | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Before you go | Look up your dishes in the Menus section of the Toby Carvery website | Dish-level allergen information is shown there |
| 2. On arrival | Tell a team member about your allergy before ordering | Staff can point you to the on-site allergen guide |
| 3. At the table | Ask to see the on-site allergen guide for the dishes you want | It carries the latest recipe information |
| 4. Ask how it is prepared | Ask whether the dish can be prepared to suit your allergy | Chefs will do their best to accommodate requests |
| 5. At the carvery deck | Ask how the deck and utensils are handled | It is a shared, self-serve counter |
| 6. If unsure | Do not eat it, and ask again | Only you can judge your own risk |
Only you can decide what is safe for you. If you cannot get a clear answer, choose something else or do not eat.
Allergen Checks by Menu Area
Each part of the menu has its own things to check. The guides linked below cover prices and dishes.
| Menu area | What to check | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Carvery | Meats, glazes, gravy, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, shared deck | Sunday roast |
| Breakfast | Buffet items, bread, cooked items, hot drinks | Breakfast |
| Toby Tasters | Cheese, bread, seafood and sauces on starters | Tasters |
| Lunch | Bread and wrap types, fillings, sauces | Lunch |
| Desserts | Milk, egg, wheat and nuts in puddings and sundaes | Desserts |
| Drinks | Sulphites in wine, milk in hot drinks | Drinks |
| Kids | Each kids’ dish, separately from the adult menu | Kids’ menu |
| Meat-free | V and VE labels describe ingredients, not allergens | Vegan and vegetarian |
V and VE Labels Are Not Allergen Labels
V: vegetarian
No meat or fish, but may contain milk or egg.
VE: vegan
No animal products as listed, but may still contain other allergens such as gluten, soya or nuts.
Allergies
A V or VE label does not say a dish is free from any of the 14 allergens. Check each dish.
See the vegan and vegetarian guide for the V and VE dishes we found.
Does Toby Carvery Allergen Information Change?
Yes. Toby Carvery says recipes can change, so it asks guests to check the on-site allergen guide during each visit.
That means a dish you ate safely last month may have changed, and a printed or saved copy of this guide, or of any menu, can be out of date. Check again each visit, even for a dish you have ordered before. Calories and nutrition are covered separately in nutrition and calories.
If there is a reaction: for a severe reaction, use any prescribed adrenaline auto-injector straight away and call 999. For a milder reaction, tell staff and seek medical advice if symptoms continue.
Toby Carvery Allergen FAQs
Practical questions people ask before or during a visit.
1What are the 14 allergens in UK law?
Celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame, soya and sulphur dioxide or sulphites (above 10 parts per million). UK food information law requires food businesses to tell customers if a dish contains any of them.
2Where do I find Toby Carvery allergen information?
Toby Carvery says detailed allergen information is in the Menus section of its website, where you can click or tap a dish to see what it contains, and that an allergen guide is available on site during your visit. Always tell a team member about an allergy before you order.
3Does Toby Carvery have a gluten-free menu?
No. Toby Carvery says it has no dedicated gluten-free menu and asks guests to speak to a team member about dietary requests, adding that chefs will do their best to accommodate you. See our gluten-free guide.
4Does Toby Carvery allergen information change?
Yes. Toby Carvery says recipes can change, so it asks guests to check the allergen guide on site during each visit rather than relying on an earlier visit or an old copy.
5Can I check allergens before I visit?
Yes. The dish-level allergen information on the Toby Carvery website can be viewed in advance, but Toby Carvery says to check the on-site guide for the most up-to-date information. Confirm with a team member when you arrive.
6Is the carvery safe for people with allergies?
We cannot say any dish is safe for you. The carvery is a self-serve deck shared by everyone, so food can be handled with shared utensils and cross-contact is possible. Tell staff about your allergy, ask how your meal can be prepared and check the dish information.
7What does V and VE mean on the menu?
V means vegetarian and VE means vegan. They describe ingredients, not allergens or cross-contact. See the vegan and vegetarian guide.
8Are breakfast and the carvery equally risky for allergies?
Both are self-serve formats, so the same cross-contact concerns apply to each. See the breakfast guide and the Sunday roast guide.
9Which Toby Carvery dishes contain milk or egg?
Dish-level detail is on the Toby Carvery website and in the on-site guide, and it can change. Common examples of milk and egg in food generally include cheese, butter, cream, batter and puddings, so check each dish rather than assuming. See the desserts guide and Toby Tasters.
10Do drinks contain allergens?
They can. Sulphites are commonly found in wine, and hot drinks and milkshakes can contain milk. Check the dish and drink information with a team member. See the drinks guide.
11What should I do if someone has an allergic reaction?
For a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing or swelling, use a prescribed adrenaline auto-injector straight away and call 999. For a milder reaction, tell staff and seek medical advice if symptoms continue.
12Can children with allergies eat from the kids’ menu?
Ask a team member about each dish for your child’s allergy and check the dish information first. Kids’ meals are separate from the adult menu. See the kids’ menu.
13Is nutrition information the same as allergen information?
No. Calories and nutrition describe energy and nutrients, while allergen information says which of the 14 allergens a dish contains. See nutrition and calories separately.
14Can chefs adapt a dish for my allergy?
Toby Carvery says chefs will do their best to accommodate dietary requests discussed with a team member, but it cannot be guaranteed for every request. Ask before you order.
This guide is general information, not allergy or medical advice. Menus, recipes and processes vary by restaurant and change over time. Always tell staff about your allergy. This independent guide is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by Toby Carvery or Mitchells & Butlers.
