Allergen 4 of 14 · Eg
Eggs: the egg wash, the mayo and the fresh pasta
Nobody forgets the omelette. Egg gets missed when it is brushed on, whisked into a sauce or already inside something bought in.
Checked against the official guidance on 18 September 2026
What the law covers
Annex II lists “eggs and products thereof”, whatever the bird.
Where it hides in a UK kitchen
| Where | Why |
|---|---|
| Egg wash | On sausage rolls, pies, pasties and buns: the pastry itself may be egg-free, the glaze isn't. |
| Mayonnaise and its family | Tartare sauce, Marie Rose, aioli, salad cream, most burger sauces and coleslaw dressings. |
| Fresh pasta and egg noodles | Dried durum pasta usually has no egg; fresh pasta and egg noodles do. |
| Hollandaise and béarnaise | Egg yolk emulsions: eggs Benedict, steak with béarnaise. |
| Meat-free products | Many mycoprotein and vegetarian products are bound with egg white. |
In the free matrix builder, typing any of these ticks eggs automatically: Brioche, Fresh egg pasta, Egg noodles, Cake, Pancake, Yorkshire pudding, Mayonnaise, Salad cream, Tartare sauce, Marie Rose sauce, Hollandaise, Caesar dressing, Frangipane, Egg, Full English breakfast, Scotch egg… These prompt a label check instead, because it depends on the recipe or the brand: Burger bun, Naan, Bagel, Croissant, Batter, Pastry, Pasta, Noodles, Gluten-free bread, Biscuit, Horseradish sauce, Custard.
Cross-contact to think about
- Pastry brushes used for egg wash then for an egg-free glaze.
- Batters and coatings made in the same bowl.
- Shared whisks and mixer bowls in pastry.
Where your risk assessment finds a risk you cannot control, mark the dish “may contain” on the matrix. Don't use it as a blanket statement: when “may contain” is justified.
On a PPDS label
NOT ENOUGH
Mayonnaise
CLEAR
Mayonnaise (rapeseed oil, water, pasteurised free-range egg yolk, spirit vinegar, mustard flour, salt)
Bought-in mayonnaise often brings mustard as well as egg: copy its full ingredient list.
Make a PPDS label with allergens emphasised automatically →
Mistakes we see on matrices
- Forgetting the egg wash on savoury bakes.
- Assuming vegan mayo is allergen-free: it often contains mustard or soya.
- Using fresh pasta where the matrix says dried.
Eggs: questions from kitchens
Do duck or quail eggs count?
Yes. The list says “eggs”, not hen's eggs: eggs from any bird are declared.
Official sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex II — substances or products causing allergies or intolerances — legislation.gov.uk (version applying in Great Britain).
- Allergen guidance for food businesses — Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK), updated 17 July 2026.
- Food allergen labelling and information requirements: technical guidance — Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK), published 23 August 2023, revised March 2025.
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 21 — labelling of allergens — legislation.gov.uk.
All sources opened and checked on 18 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.