Dining out can be a challenging experience for people with food allergies, who need to stay alert to avoid their allergens that could cause a serious or life-threatening reaction. And there’s good reason: According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Immunology: In Practice, restaurants are the second most common location for food allergy reactions. This study found that for both adults and children, after home, dining out is the most common setting for a reaction.
Questions that need to be answered include, “Is my allergen used in the kitchen?” “Does the kitchen staff have the training to avoid cross-contact?” and “Can I rely on management to ensure I am accommodated safely?”
To help determine if a food service establishment meets standards, we’ve created a checklist of “To Dos” to guide you through the process.
Before You Go to the Restaurant
- Research in Advance: Look up the restaurant’s menu and allergen policy online. Many chain restaurants provide detailed allergen information on their websites. If possible, avoid eateries that use your allergen as an ingredient. Example: many Chinese restaurants use peanuts in their dishes and often prepare meals in shared woks.
- Call Ahead: Contact the restaurant during a non-peak time (e.g., between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM) to speak with a manager and chef. Ask if they can accommodate your specific allergies and if they have procedures in place to prevent cross-contamination.
- Carry Your Medications: Always have your prescribed medications — especially two doses of emergency epinephrine — with you. It’s also a good practice to wear a medical ID bracelet or other such jewelry.
- Bring a Chef Card: Prepare a written card that clearly lists your allergies and explains the seriousness of your condition. This can be given to your server to pass on to the kitchen staff.
When You Arrive at the Restaurant
- Communicate Clearly: Inform your server and the manager about your food allergies as soon as you’re seated. State that your allergies are serious and can be life-threatening. Do not rely solely on the server’s assurance. Ensure that your full list of allergies is communicated directly to the kitchen staff.
- Verify the Ingredients: Ask specific questions about how your meal will be prepared. Avoid dishes with a lot of ingredients, complex sauces, or unknown components, and be aware of common ingredients that may contain your allergen, such as tahini for sesame.
- Question Cross-Contamination: Ask about the restaurant’s procedures to avoid cross-contamination. This is especially important for fried foods, as they may be cooked in a shared fryer, and grilled items, which may be prepared on a shared surface.
- Trust Your Gut: If the staff seems unsure, uncooperative, or if you don’t feel confident in their ability to accommodate your allergies safely, leave and find a different place to eat. Your safety is the top priority.
When Your Food Arrives
- Check the Dish: Visually inspect your meal to ensure it looks correct and doesn’t contain any visible allergens.
- Confirm with the Server: Before taking a bite, ask the server to confirm that the dish is prepared according to your allergy requests. If you have any doubt, do not eat it.
- Be Prepared to Send It Back: If you receive a dish that you believe is unsafe, consider whether it’s best to leave or politely send it back and ask for a new, safely prepared meal. Do not allow them to simply “pick off” the allergen.
Do you have additional tips for dining out with food allergies, or have you found certain strategies helpful? Be sure to share them in the comments below.
