Authorised Buying Lists (ABLs): What Catering Teams Need to Know
When catering for schools, care homes, or any other institution with specific dietary needs, Authorised Buying Lists (ABLs) are sometimes used as a tool to guide purchasing decisions – but they must be used wisely.
What is an ABL?
An Authorised (or sometimes called ‘Approved’) Buying List – or ABL – is a pre-approved list of food items that a client or catering organisation agrees to purchase from a supplier. These lists are typically put in place to meet specific dietary, religious, or ethical requirement.
Examples include:
- Allergen control – e.g. only nut-free products
- Religious requirements – e.g. halal-certified items only
- Accreditations or ethical sourcing – e.g. Food for Life standards requiring free-range eggs or higher-welfare meat
Why use an ABL?
Many catering and foodservice operations choose to implement ABLs to:
- Add an extra layer of food safety by reducing the risk of ordering inappropriate products
- Support compliance with policies, accreditations, or standards
- Simplify procurement by narrowing down choices to known and approved items
Potential risks and limitations
While ABLs can support food safety and compliance, there are some important limitations to be aware of:
- Supplier restrictions – ABLs are typically only supported by larger suppliers like Bidfood. If you use multiple suppliers, only the primary one may enforce the ABL.
- Out-of-ABL purchases – staff may need to buy items from local shops or smaller vendors who aren’t bound by the ABL, introducing the risk of allergens or non- compliant products.
- False sense of security – relying solely on an ABL can lead to complacency. Staff may assume all items are safe and stop checking labels thoroughly.
Important reminder: ABLs do not replace allergen procedures
- ABL or no, allergen safety procedures must always be followed
- Ingredient labels and allergen information should be checked every time a product is delivered or opened
- Product specifications and recipes can change without notice, and even familiar items may contain unexpected allergens
- ABLs should be viewed as a support tool – not a substitute – for proper allergen management
Best practice guidance for allergens
According to Allergy UK and Anaphylaxis UK, blanket bans on specific allergens (e.g. nuts) are not recommended. Here’s why:
- There are many allergens to consider, not just nuts
- No kitchen can guarantee a 100% allergen-free environment
- A ‘free-from’ policy can create a false sense of security and reduce vigilance
Instead, these organisations promote a culture of:
- Allergy awareness
- Staff education
- Whole-team responsibility
This approach is especially important in settings like schools or care homes, where a collaborative and informed team is key to keeping children or residents safe.
Training and support is available
All workshops are carried out by our Registered Dietitian who will tailor the session to your needs, ensuring your staff come away with critical knowledge and practical learning about the 14 major food allergens, including how to deal with the different types of reactions and helping to ensure your food service operation is fully compliant.
Accredited training can also be provided through the completion of the Royal Society of Public Health’s Level 2 Award in Identifying and Controlling Food Allergy Risk.
In summary
Authorised Buying Lists can be a helpful way to support dietary needs, uphold standards, and streamline purchasing – but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They should complement, not replace, robust allergen management procedures and a culture of continuous awareness and staff training.
Please see allmanhall’s allergy disclaimer for more information here.
For more information on allergen management, further reading and resources:
What are the 14 major food allergens?
Useful resources
Allergy School: Allergy School offers free, practical resources to help teachers and
school teams create inclusive and safe environments for children with food allergies.
https://www.narf.org.uk/allergy-school
Anaphylaxis UK: Has a wealth of resources and provides support and information on
serious allergies and anaphylaxis, and provides training for schools and businesses.
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/
Allergy UK: Provides a range of information to help people who live with allergies, as
well as for organisations.