Manage the Allergen Matrix

What is the allergen matrix? The allergen matrix is a grid that maps every menu item (down the left) against each declared allergen (across the top). For each combination you record a clear status, giving you an at-a-glance allergen register for the whole menu. It is the foundation of your PEAL compliance and it feeds your public allergen page automatically. Each cell shows a colour-coded status marker. Tap a cell to cycle its status. Open the allergen matrix Use the venue switcher in the sidebar to select the venue you want to work on. Open PEAL Compliance from the sidebar. Make sure the Allergen Matrix tab is selected. If you manage more than one venue, each venue keeps its own separate matrix, so recipes and suppliers never get mixed up between sites. Add a menu item Click Add Menu Item . Type the item name, for example Caesar Salad or Fish and Chips , then press Enter or click Save . The item appears as a new row with every allergen set to Free by default, ready for you to update. Tip: start with your best sellers and any dish you are regularly asked about. You can build the rest of the menu out over a few shifts. Set an allergen status Every cell can hold one of three statuses: Contains (marked C , red) - the item definitely contains this allergen. May Contain (marked MC , amber) - there is a real risk of cross contact, for example shared fryers or prep surfaces. Free (marked with a dash, green) - the item does not contain this allergen. To change a status, tap the cell . Each tap cycles it in order: Free, then Contains, then May Contain, and back to Free . Keep tapping until the correct status shows. The colour and marker update straight away and the change saves automatically. Use the built-in PEAL guide Click the Guide button above the grid to open a short PEAL checklist. It is a quick reminder to check incoming product labels, keep allergen information in a consistent place, and never substitute a brand without reviewing its allergen profile first. Remove a menu item If a dish leaves the menu, click the trash icon at the end of its row to remove it from the matrix. Do this promptly so your public page never shows a dish you no longer serve. Keep the matrix accurate An allergen matrix is only useful if it is current. Review and update it whenever you: Change a recipe or a method of preparation. Switch supplier or receive a different brand of an ingredient. Add or remove a menu item. Receive updated allergen information on a product label at delivery. Remember: your matrix is only as accurate as the labels you check at receival. When a product arrives from a new brand, confirm its allergen declarations before it goes anywhere near service. What happens next Your matrix does double duty. It gives staff a fast reference during service, and it feeds directly into the public allergen page customers can scan and view. Update a status here and the public page reflects it immediately. Next, set up your substitution rules and staff scripts so your team knows exactly how to handle swaps and allergen questions. For the bigger picture, see our PEAL compliance features or get in touch .