Set up allergen substitution rules and staff response scripts in FoodSafety HQ so every ingredient swap is checked and every allergen question is answered safely.
Why substitution rules and scripts matter Two everyday moments cause most allergen incidents: a cook swapping an ingredient without checking its allergen profile, and a team member guessing an answer to a customer question. FoodSafety HQ tackles both with substitution rules and staff response scripts , so the safe action is the easy action. Both live under PEAL Compliance and work alongside your allergen matrix . Substitution rules A substitution rule records an approved swap, for example dairy milk to oat milk, and whether that swap needs manager approval first. Documenting swaps means a brand or ingredient change never slips through without an allergen check. Each rule shows the original ingredient, the approved substitute, and whether manager approval is required. Create a substitution rule Open PEAL Compliance and select the Substitution Rules tab. Click Add Rule . Enter the Original Ingredient , for example Dairy milk or Wheat flour . Enter the Substitute , for example Oat milk or Gluten-free flour . Turn on Requires manager approval before substituting for any higher-risk swap. If approval is required, name the Approver (optional), such as Head Chef or Kitchen Manager. Add Notes on allergen impact or usage, for example a reminder to check the substitute brand for soy, then click Save . When to require manager approval Use approval for any swap that changes the allergen profile or affects a customer with a stated allergy. Each saved rule shows a clear badge, either Requires approval (with the approver, if named) or Staff can substitute without approval , so the expectation is never ambiguous. You can edit or delete a rule at any time using the icons on the rule card. PEAL in practice: a cook swapping a brand without checking its allergen profile is a compliance failure. A written rule turns that risky judgement call into a documented, checkable step. Staff response scripts Response scripts give your team safe, consistent wording for common allergen situations, so nobody has to improvise under pressure. The guiding rule is verify, don't guess . Each script pairs a real scenario with the exact response staff should give. Create a response script Open PEAL Compliance and select the Staff Scripts tab. Click Add Script . Enter the Scenario or Question , for example Guest asks: is this gluten free? Write the exact Staff Response you want the team to give, then click Save . Start faster with suggested scripts Before you have added any scripts of your own, FoodSafety HQ shows a set of ready-made starter scripts covering the most common situations. Tap any one to add it, then edit it to match your venue. Useful scenarios to cover include: A guest asks whether a dish contains a specific allergen. A guest tells you they have a severe allergy. A staff member is unsure about an ingredient. A new product or brand arrives from a supplier. Tip: practise these scripts in your pre-service meetings until the safe response becomes instinct. The best script is one your team can deliver without thinking. How it fits together Substitution rules and staff scripts sit on top of your allergen matrix to complete your PEAL compliance setup: the matrix says what is in each dish, the rules govern safe swaps, and the scripts make sure every customer gets the same trustworthy answer. Learn more about our PEAL compliance features or contact our team for help.