Portuguese allergy card

Where the Portuguese card works

One Portuguese card serves both sides of the Atlantic: choose Portugal or Brazil in the builder for the country you are visiting.

• Portugal
• Brazil

Each of these 2 destinations is its own choice in the builder. A One Language card covers the destination you pick; All Languages covers every one of them.

What should you ask about in Portuguese meals?

Dish names and traditional ingredients are useful clues, but the stock, sauce, pastry, and cooking surface still need checking. Use your card, then ask questions that match the allergen and the actual preparation.

Why written Portuguese beats spoken English

A written card gives the person taking your order something concrete to read, which can help when pronunciation, noise, or a quick handoff to the kitchen makes a spoken request difficult. It is not a substitute for confirmation: show it before ordering, ask what is in the dish and how it is prepared, and do not order if the answers are unclear. That's the premise behind the translation card approach; if you travel to Brazil, check local food wording too.

Allergen labelling in Portugal

Portugal follows the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation, which provides allergen-information rules for cereals containing gluten. Ingredient information can help, but sem glúten on a menu does not guarantee that cross-contact has been controlled.

Frequently asked questions

Does the same card work in Portugal and Brazil?

The core allergen terms overlap between Portugal and Brazil, but pronunciation, everyday food names, and restaurant practices differ. Check the local wording for the ingredients you need to avoid, show the card before ordering, and confirm the recipe and preparation in either country.

What do you get with the Portuguese allergy card?

A printable PDF with a cut-out card, plus an image sized for your phone, with every allergen you select written in Portuguese and English. The same card is readable in Portugal and Brazil, though everyday food names differ between them. Cards with up to three allergens can also be added to Apple or Google Wallet.

How often does fish or shellfish appear in Portuguese food?

Constantly, and not only in dishes that announce it. Salt cod, shellfish and fish stock run through stews, rice dishes, croquettes and the oil a kitchen fries in. Show the card before ordering and ask about the stock and the fryer, not just the main ingredient.