How our allergen data works
A reference for how AllergySearch handles allergen information — what the labels mean and what we cover. Come here whenever a term or label is unclear.
Reading the containment labels
For each menu item, we show how each allergen is present using these labels.
- Contains
- Used as an ingredient. This includes cases where it is definitely present through another ingredient, such as soy or wheat from soy sauce.
- Contains (indirectly)
- Not listed directly, but present as part of a broader category.
- Possible cross-contamination
- May be unintentionally present in trace amounts through shared equipment, utensils, or frying oil.
- Unknown
- Not stated in the source and not confirmed. This does not mean it is absent.
- Does not contain
- The source explicitly states it is not used.
In search, we exclude venues whose only matching items are labelled "Contains", while "Possible cross-contamination", "Unknown", and "Does not contain" remain as candidates ("Possible cross-contamination" is shown with a caution).
What "Officially reviewed" means
It means the chain's operating company (the menu provider) has itself reviewed and entered the information on AllergySearch and takes responsibility for it. Automated collection and transcription or curation by our team do not count as "Officially reviewed". "Officially unconfirmed" does not mean the information is wrong — only that the provider has not confirmed it yet.
Reading the disclosure status
Shows how much allergen information each chain publishes.
- Fully disclosed
- Published for all 29 items.
- Mandatory items only
- Only the items required to be labelled are published.
- Partially disclosed
- Only some menu items or allergens are published.
- Not disclosed (confirmed)
- Confirmed that it is not published. Absence of information does not mean the allergen is unused.
- Not verified
- We have not yet confirmed whether it is disclosed.
Allergens we cover (29 items)
We cover the 29 items defined by Japan's food labeling standards: the mandatory "specified raw materials" and the recommended "items equivalent to specified raw materials".
Mandatory (specified raw materials)(9)
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Walnut
- Wheat
- Buckwheat
- Eggs
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Cashew Nuts
Recommended (equivalent to specified raw materials)(20)
- Almond
- Abalone
- Squid
- Salmon Roe
- Orange
- Kiwi Fruit
- Beef
- Sesame Seeds
- Salmon Fish
- Mackerel Fish
- Soybeans
- Chicken
- Banana
- Pork
- Macadamia Nuts
- Peach
- Yam
- Apple
- Gelatin
- Pistachio
Regulatory changes and when they applied
Japan's April 1, 2026 revision to the food labeling standards moved cashew nuts from recommended to mandatory labeling and newly added pistachio to the recommended list, bringing the total to 29 items. The transition period for packaged-food labeling runs until March 31, 2028, during which chains' allergen charts may mix 27-, 28-, and 29-item versions. AllergySearch handles information on the basis of these 29 items.
This regulatory summary is current as of April 2026.
How current the information is
We update listed information periodically from each chain's published sources. Each page shows a "Data updated" date for its latest revision. We reflect regulatory changes, but always confirm the latest, accurate details with the venue's official information or in store.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between "Officially reviewed" and "Officially unconfirmed"?
"Officially reviewed" is information the operating company (the menu provider) has itself checked and entered. "Officially unconfirmed" means the provider has not confirmed it yet — it does not mean the information is wrong.
Is "Unknown" the same as "Does not contain"?
No. "Unknown" means the source does not state it and it is unconfirmed, which is different from "Does not contain" (explicitly not used). For safety, treat unknown items as possibly present.
What does "Possible cross-contamination" mean?
It means the allergen may be unintentionally present in trace amounts through shared equipment, utensils, or frying oil, even if it is not used as an ingredient.
How many allergens do you cover?
We cover 29 items: 9 mandatory "specified raw materials" and 20 recommended "items equivalent to specified raw materials" under Japan's food labeling standards.
When were the regulatory changes applied?
The April 1, 2026 revision added cashew nuts to mandatory labeling and pistachio to the recommended list, bringing the total to 29 items. The packaged-food transition period runs until March 31, 2028.
How current is the listed information?
We update it periodically from each chain's published sources and show a "Data updated" date on each page. Always confirm the latest details with the venue's official information or in store.