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How to Dine Out with Food Allergies

In 2018, over 200 million U.S. consumers visited a sit down restaurant. When considering that 4% of American adults have a food allergy, it means dining out is difficult for many people. When you are not the one preparing the food, it’s hard to know exactly what’s in it. For people with food allergies, even a small trace of an allergen could trigger an allergic reaction.

How do you enjoy a nice dinner outside of the home when you have food allergies? Here are some helpful tips for ordering in a restaurant when you have food allergies.

Ask Around

The first thing you can do is ask around. Whether this community is online or in your local community, asking for suggestions and advice is always a good idea. You can even ask your allergist or other medical professionals.

Avoid Higher-Risk Dining Options

Some food service places have a higher risk that you could accidentally consume an allergen. Try to avoid:

•        Buffets: The chance of cross-contamination is high with foods so close together.
•        Bakeries: Many of the food items in bakeries are made with common allergens.
•        Restaurants with Pre-Made Foods: Labeling is subject to human error.

Also avoid fried foods, as the fryer is a common cross-contamination point.

If there is a specific type of cuisine that serves a lot of your particular allergen, such as seafood when you have a shellfish allergy, avoid going to that type of restaurant in case an allergen is hidden or there is cross-contamination.

Try Chain Restaurants

Consider trying chain restaurants as they probably have a standard set of food safety precautions in place across the board. That way, if you find you can eat at one with your food allergy, you can eat at their other locations as well, because you know it is safe.

Call Ahead

You can also call ahead and speak with a manager. Discuss the menu and ask questions to help determine if that particular restaurant is safe for you to eat at.

Check with Employees

Speak with managers, waitstaff, and kitchen staff about your allergies. Awareness is a safeguard. If you’re not sure about something on the menu, ask to see an ingredient list.

Be Prepared

Most importantly, be prepared. No matter how careful you are or how secure a restaurant claims to be, never leave home without your EpiPen. 

Learn how you can avoid causing an allergic reaction in your establishment by taking Always Food Safe Allergen Awareness training.