Most people can eat a wide variety of food with no problem. However, a small percentage of the population find that certain food or components of the food can cause adverse reactions (allergies or food intolerance). People with sever allergies must be very careful about the food they eat.

Most food allergies are associated with a small group of foods. The most common food allergens are cow's milk, eggs, soya, wheat, crustaceans, fruit, peanuts and nuts, such as walnuts. Rules on food labelling have been laid down for these, making it compulsory to state their presence if included as food ingredients.

Royal Decree 1334/1999, 31 July, laying down rules on food labelling was amended in 2004 to include a compulsory, clear declaration of the presence of substances causing allergies and food intolerance. The last amendment is Royal Decree 1245/2008, 18 July, containing the updated annex of substances which must be declared, in addition to planned exceptions.

Royal Decree 1245/2008, 18 July, amending the general rule on labelling, presentation and publicity for food products, approved by Royal Decree 1334/1999, 31 July

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