Ordering Pizza With an Allergy or Coeliac Disease: What to Ask
Published 4 November 2026 · Updated 5 November 2026
Pizza kitchens handle flour, cheese, and many toppings in small spaces. Here's what to ask before you order, and what UK businesses must tell you.
This is general information, not medical advice. Dietary labels on PizzaNearMe come from restaurants and are only a guide. If you have an allergy, always confirm directly with the restaurant before you order.
What UK food businesses must do
UK food law covers 14 major allergens. Food businesses must be able to tell you if any of them are in the food they serve. For food ordered online or by phone, that information should be available before you buy and when the food arrives. If it isn't clear, ask to speak to someone who knows. The Food Standards Agency has more detail.
Allergens that often turn up in pizza
- Cereals containing gluten: in almost all standard bases.
- Milk: in cheese, some bases, and dips.
- Soya: can appear in some bases, processed meats, and vegan cheeses.
- Fish: anchovies, and sometimes in sauces.
- Nuts: pesto usually contains nuts, and some restaurants use nut flours or toppings.
- Mustard, egg, celery, and sulphites: can be in sauces, dips, and cured meats.
This list isn't complete, and recipes differ between restaurants.
Why cross-contact matters
A pizza can be made with no gluten and still pick it up. Flour hangs in the air in pizza kitchens, and the same ovens, cutters, and surfaces are often shared. In the UK, "gluten-free" on food has a legal meaning, at no more than 20 parts per million. A "gluten-free base" on a menu doesn't automatically make the finished pizza suitable if it's prepared alongside regular dough.
What to ask
- Can you give me the allergen information for this exact pizza, including the base and sauce?
- Is it made in a separate area, using separate tools and a clean surface?
- Does it share an oven with other pizzas?
- Can you guarantee it's safe for someone with my allergy?
If the answer to the last question is hesitant, trust that. It's better to choose somewhere else.
A note on vegan and vegetarian
Vegan cheese is usually milk-free, but "vegan" doesn't mean safe for a milk allergy if the pizza shares equipment with dairy. Parmesan isn't vegetarian if it's made with animal rennet, as traditional Parmesan is. Ask if it matters to you.
Sources
Food Standards Agency allergen guidance: food.gov.uk. This is general information, not medical advice. If you have a serious allergy, speak to your doctor or dietitian, and always check with the restaurant.