Germany has strict food labeling laws, and allergies are taken seriously in both supermarkets and restaurants. Here are the most frequently reported food allergies:

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1. Gluten (Glutenunverträglichkeit / Zöliakie)

• Found in: Wheat, rye, barley, oats (in regular forms), bread, pasta, baked goods
• Common Terms: “Weizen” (wheat), “Glutenfrei” (gluten-free)
• Tip: Look for certified gluten-free products (“glutenfrei” seal), or try health stores like Reformhaus and Alnatura

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2. Lactose (Laktoseintoleranz)

• Found in: Milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, butter
• Common Terms: “Laktosefrei” (lactose-free), “Milchzucker” (milk sugar)
• Tip: Supermarkets often have a separate section for lactose-free dairy or plant-based alternatives (Hafermilch = oat milk, Sojamilch = soy milk)

3. Nuts (Nussallergie)

• Most common: Hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, almonds
• Common Terms:
  • “Erdnüsse” – peanuts
  • “Haselnüsse” – hazelnuts
  • “Schalenfrüchte” – tree nuts
• Tip: Always read labels — nuts must be clearly declared, and traces are often noted (“Kann Spuren von … enthalten”)

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4. Egg (Ei-Allergie)

• Found in: Baked goods, sauces, mayonnaise, pasta
• Common Term: “Ei”
• Tip: Vegan products are a safe choice (look for “vegan” or the green V-label)

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5. Soy (Soja-Allergie)

• Found in: Processed foods, soy sauce, vegan/vegetarian substitutes
• Common Term: “Soja”
• Tip: Popular allergy in vegetarian/vegan diets — always check ingredients even in health food stores

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6. Fish & Shellfish (Fisch- und Schalentierallergien)

• Found in: Fish fillets, canned fish, sushi, sauces
• Common Terms: “Fisch”, “Krustentiere” (crustaceans), “Weichtiere” (mollusks)
• Tip: Not as common in German cuisine but often found in Asian and Mediterranean dishes

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7. Sesame (Sesamallergie)

• Found in: Bread (especially Turkish), tahini, snacks, health foods
• Common Term: “Sesam”
• Tip: Often overlooked — sesame is one of the 14 EU-required allergens that must be declared

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8. Celery (Sellerieallergie)

• Found in: Soups, broths, spice mixes, sausages
• Common Term: “Sellerie”
• Tip: A surprising hidden allergen in processed foods, particularly in German cuisine (like soup bases and sausages)

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9. Mustard (Senfallergie)

• Found in: Mustard, sauces, salad dressings, sausages
• Common Term: “Senf”
• Tip: Required to be declared by EU law, but still an unexpected allergen for many newcomers

Allergens Must Be Declared in Germany

By law, the following 14 allergens must be clearly labeled on all packaged food and declared in restaurants:

1. Gluten-containing grains
2. Crustaceans
3. Eggs
4. Fish
5. Peanuts
6. Soy
7. Milk (including lactose)
8. Nuts
9. Celery
10. Mustard
11. Sesame
12. Sulphur dioxide/sulphites
13. Lupin
14. Molluscs

Where to buy non-allergic food in Germany?

For starters, most major supermarkets like Rewe, Edeka, and Kaufland have dedicated sections for lactose-free, gluten-free, and vegan products. These are often clearly labeled with terms like “laktosefrei” (lactose-free), “glutenfrei” (gluten-free), or “ohne Nüsse” (nut-free). German food labeling laws are strict, and allergens such as nuts, eggs, milk, soy, and gluten must be highlighted in bold or listed under an “Allergene” section on packaging, which makes it easier to identify triggers.

For more specialized allergy-friendly shopping, stores like DM and Alnatura (an organic supermarket chain) offer a wide range of allergy-conscious, vegan, and organic products — including snacks, baking ingredients, and plant-based milk. If you’re gluten-intolerant or coeliac, look out for Schär products, a well-known gluten-free brand found in most stores.

Online platforms like FoodOase.de, Querfood.de, or Allergo Natur also cater specifically to allergy sufferers and deliver all over Germany.

When eating out or buying unpackaged food (like from bakeries), it’s helpful to learn key phrases such as “Ich habe eine Nussallergie” (I have a nut allergy) or use an allergy translation card to explain your condition clearly.

With the right shops and a bit of label-reading practice, managing food allergies in Germany becomes a lot less stressful and a lot more delicious.