Question 1

Is the allergen information verified by Tastebud?

Accepted Answer

No. All allergen and dietary information is vendor-declared: the vendor declares and signs it off themselves, and Tastebud displays it. We don't independently test or verify it. If you have a serious allergy, always speak to the vendor directly before ordering.

Question 2

Which allergens and diets can I filter by?

Accepted Answer

The UK's 14 major allergens and common dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, and nut-free.

Question 3

Can I check what's safe before I arrive?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can see each vendor's declared allergen and dietary information before you queue, so you're not working it out at the front of the line.

Question 4

Does it cover cross-contamination?

Accepted Answer

As part of their onboarding vendors are asked a series of questions on their kitchen practices and how their stall is set up, such as whether they use a shared fryer, so you can judge the risk for yourself. They then review and declare the information is accurate, ahead of any event before their profile can go live on the app.

Question 5

What does "vendor-declared" actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means the trader who made the food entered the information themselves and formally signed it off before it went live, the same way they'd answer if you asked them at the counter. Tastebud doesn't inspect kitchens or test ingredients, it's a clearer, faster version of that conversation, available before you queue.

Question 6

Can I trust what a vendor says about their allergens?

Accepted Answer

Vendor-declared doesn't mean unreliable, it means it comes straight from the person who made the food, the same source you'd be trusting if you asked them directly at the counter. Tastebud just makes that information available before you queue instead of only when you're stood at the front of it.

Question 7

Can I filter for more than one dietary need at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Set everything that applies to you, allergens and dietary preferences together, and Tastebud filters every vendor at the event against all of it at once.

Question 8

Should I still speak to the vendor if I have a serious allergy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, always. Tastebud helps you narrow down safe options in advance, but a quick conversation with the person making your food is still the right last check before you order, especially for a serious allergy.

Question 9

What if I can't find dietary information for a vendor?

Accepted Answer

If a vendor hasn't reviewed and confirmed their menu and information and signed a digital declaration they won't be visible on the app. Worth asking the vendor directly at their stall.

Question 10

Why does a vendor's declaration need to be redone for every event?

Accepted Answer

A vendor's menu and setup can change from one event to the next, so a fresh sign-off keeps what you see accurate to that specific day, not an old declaration from a different event.

Question 11

What if I think a vendor's information is wrong?

Accepted Answer

Get in touch and let us know. We can follow up with the vendor, and in the meantime, treat it as a reason to double-check with them directly before ordering.

Question 12

My child/someone I care for has a serious allergy. Is Tastebud safe to rely on for them?

Accepted Answer

Tastebud is a starting point, not a substitute for caution. Use it to narrow down safe-looking options in advance, but always confirm directly with the vendor before ordering, the same way you would if there were no app at all.

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