Menu Abbreviations Decoded: GF, DF, V+ & 40 Other Global Food Codes
Your guests are scanning menus for dietary codes, but are you speaking their language? A tourist from Berlin sees 'V' and assumes vegan, while your American regulars know it means vegetarian. Meanwhile, 'GF' (gluten-free), 'DF' (dairy-free), and 'V+' (vegan) have become universal expectations, but inconsistency across restaurants creates confusion and lost orders.
40+ Codes Your Menu Should Consider
Beyond the basics, international diners look for: **N** (contains nuts), **SF** (shellfish-free), **VG** (vegan in UK/Europe), **P** (Paleo), **K** (Kosher), **H** (Halal), **RS** (refined sugar-free), **LF** (low-fat), **LC** (low-carb), **KF** (keto-friendly), **WF** (wheat-free), **EF** (egg-free), and **SF** (soy-free). In Asia, you'll see **MSG-free** or **辣** (spicy level). Each market has preferences—research your customer base and standardize your symbols with a clear legend.
Pro tip: If you're using digital menus, platforms like DineCard (dinecard.in) let you add multilingual dietary filters automatically, so a QR code menu displays GF, DF, and V+ in your guest's preferred language for $9/month.
Create a QR code menu for your restaurant in 5 minutes with DineCard.
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