Special diets and food safety

This Topic covers allergies, coeliac disease and intolerances, vegetarian and vegan eating, and halal and kosher food. It also covers food-safety risks that are specific to Spain, eating safely in pregnancy, how to read labels, and what to do after a recall or food poisoning.

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will learn what Spanish law and practice protect, how to explain your diet, which risks are particular to Spain, and how to read labels and respond to recalls.

Start with "Food allergies in Spain, what restaurants and labels must tell you". It explains the rules and how to ask, and most of it is useful whatever your diet. Then go to the page that matches your situation.

This Topic does not cover medical care for a diet, foraging, importing food, or medical advice in pregnancy. For those, speak to a doctor or the relevant authority.

Key rules

• Sin gluten limit: Food labelled 'sin gluten' may contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
• Freezing raw fish: Fish eaten raw or almost raw must be frozen at -20°C or below for at least 24 hours before serving.
• Allergens: Restaurants, bars and packaged food must declare 14 listed allergens.
• Spoken answers: Staff may answer orally only if a visible notice says so and written records are kept available.
• Muy bajo en gluten: This wording allows up to 100 mg/kg and is not the same as "sin gluten".
• Ham is not meat to many cooks: Ask for no meat, no fish, no ham, no sausage and no stock, because a plain vegetarian request can come back with ham or tuna.

Special diets and food safety: questions that cross several articles

Do allergen rules cover tapas and menu dishes as well as packaged food?

Yes, allergen rules cover both packaged food and dishes served in bars and restaurants. Bars must make allergen information available for every dish, in writing or on a board, and can only give it orally if a visible notice says staff will supply it. Read "Food allergies in Spain, what restaurants and labels must tell you" for how to ask.

Can dishes that look vegetarian still contain meat or fish?

Yes, many Spanish dishes that look vegetarian hide ham, chorizo, tuna or meat stock. Lentejas, croquetas, ensaladilla rusa, empanadillas and rice dishes are common examples, and pork lard (manteca) turns up in pastries. Read "Vegetarian and vegan eating in Spain, a realistic guide", and for halal diners "Finding halal and kosher food in Spain, and fasting at Ramadan".

Is tortilla poco cuajada safe to eat?

Tortilla poco cuajada carries a Salmonella risk because the egg is not fully set, as do homemade mayonnaise, alioli, mousse and tiramisu made with raw egg. Pregnant women, infants, older people and anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid these dishes entirely. See "Food safety risks in Spain, raw fish (anisakis), eggs and seafood" and "Eating safely in pregnancy in Spain, cured ham, cheese and fish".

Does vinegar make boquerones en vinagre safe from anisakis?

No, vinegar, lemon juice, salt or marinade alone does not kill the anisakis parasite. Freezing at -20°C or below for at least 24 hours does, and home freezers often need five days at -18°C or lower.

What foods should I avoid giving a baby in Spain?

Do not give honey to babies under 12 months because of the risk of infant botulism. Also avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, unpasteurised milk and cheese, and whole nuts under five years. Read "Food safety risks in Spain, raw fish (anisakis), eggs and seafood", and "What to do after a food recall or food poisoning" if a child falls ill.