labeling obligated food additives and allergenes

We generally indicate whether dishes contain alcohol.
For dishes with meat, the type of animal is indicated.
Vegetarian or vegan dishes are marked accordingly.
For meatless dishes, we also label gelatin, animal rennet and real carmine.

Please note:
The labeling in our cafeterias is based on information from the manufacturers and suppliers. However, these are not legally obliged to declare the origin of the rennet, the flavors and the additives.
Therefore, we cannot completely exclude the presence of these ingredients and additives in our dishes.
Due to the manufacturing processes in our cafeterias and cafebars, despite the greatest care and extensive, regular training, it cannot always be ruled out that ingredients will be mixed or cross-contamination will occur.
We therefore accept no liability for the completeness of the listed ingredients.

You can find an overview of the additives and allergens we label in the central column.

Meatless
All dishes that contain neither meat, fish nor soft or crustaceans.

Vegetarian
All plant-based foods and products derived from live animals, for example milk, eggs and honey, but no meat and fish or products made from them, such as. B. gelatin or lard.
That is why our vegetarian dishes are free from all types of meat and fish, gelatin, carmine and animal rennet (as far as we have this information).

Vegan
Vegan dishes are free from all types of meat and fish, milk, bee and egg products, gelatin, carmine and animal rennet (insofar as we have this information).

What is food intolerance? What is the difference between allergies and intolerances?
With an allergy, the immune system develops antibodies against actually completely harmless substances, such as food for example. If you eat these foods again, there is a defense reaction of the immune system with sometimes very serious immediate reactions, such as shortness of breath, hives (urticaria), itching and swelling of the skin or mucous membranes, gastrointestinal complaints and/or circulatory problems up to the loss of consciousness. Food intolerances are very diverse and can e.g. B. occur when eating food additives, milk sugar or fructose. The immune system plays no role here. Gastrointestinal complaints (lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance) or skin symptoms (food additives) are more likely to occur.

What is an allergen? And for whom is this labeling important?
An allergen is understood to mean a wide variety of small protein structures, e.g. B. can be found in plant and animal foods. As a rule, these proteins are completely harmless. However, if the immune system erroneously forms antibodies against these harmless substances, contact with the allergens can lead to strong over-reactions of the immune system. Since the only therapy for an allergy to certain foods is to refrain from doing so, it is of great importance for allergy sufferers to find out whether their “allergen” is possibly contained in foods that they have not prepared themselves. This is the only way he can protect himself from unconscious allergen contact.

Which allergens are labeled?
An overview of the labeled allergens, additives and ingredients can be found under University Gastronomy> Labelable additives and allergens.

Are the possible traces of allergens in food also labeled?
According to the current Food Information Regulation No. 1169/2011, the 14 allergens that have to be declared are only to be mentioned if they are added directly to a dish according to the recipe, regardless of the amount (exception: SO2 / sulfite). Traces, i.e. unintentional contamination of a food with the allergens mentioned, are legally not subject to labeling. In addition, cross-contamination and technologically unavoidable mixing of individual products cannot be completely avoided due to the conditions in commercial kitchens such as our canteens. However, great care is taken to store, prepare and dispense products separately.

Are there allergens in all dishes? Are there allergy-free dishes in the facilities?
In principle, almost all foods have structures that can trigger allergies. However, only the 14 most common food allergens are subject to declaration. Since we use all 14 allergens in our facilities, we cannot rule out 100% cross-contamination. For your and our safety, we deliberately do not sell "allergen-free" dishes.

How do we - your Studentenwerk Halle - ensure that all allergens are properly declared?
All products that reach the facilities via purchasing and goods acceptance must have been properly declared by the manufacturer. This declaration is adopted in internal documentation systems and thus enables a correct declaration of the food recipes. These recipes must be strictly observed when producing food. Furthermore, all kitchen personnel is trained to comply with personal hygiene and regular hygiene standards, which must be observed before, between and after each work step. Nevertheless, with all these measures we can never rule out unconscious cross-contamination.

Is there an emergency plan, should an allergic reaction occur to a guest?
Generally, the rules of first aid always apply to acute allergic reactions. It is important that every employee in our canteens and cafebars knows a central phone number at which an emergency doctor can be called.