Monitoring Food Allergies When Eating Out

Contents:

• Medical Video: Pediatric Food Allergies: The Latest in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Trials
  
• Restaurant selection
  
• At the restaurant
  

Medical Video: Pediatric Food Allergies: The Latest in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Trials

Enjoying food in a restaurant with friends and family doesn't have to be forbidden just because you have a food allergy. With proper planning and preparation, eating out can still be a fun part of your life.

When you eat out and you have a food allergy, planning ahead is important. Follow tips on what to do before you go out to have a better eating experience.

Restaurant selection

Ask around

A friend or family who has the same food allergy might be able to give a recommendation. To see if a particular restaurant can be an option, check the website and check the menu first.

Choose a restaurant that suits what you can eat

The best way is to avoid risky choices, including:

• Buffet or buffet: With a variety of foods so close to each other, the risk of exposure to allergens is higher, especially if food touches each other.
• Bread: There is a high risk because many breads are made with the 8 most risky allergens, and many are not packaged.
• Restaurants that serve cooked food before ordering: Staff may not have an accurate list of this type of menu. Since the food has been prepared from the start, you cannot ask the chef not to use foods that make you allergic.
• Restaurants that are known to use allergens in many dishes. For example, peanuts and other nuts are often used in Asian cuisine. In the ice cream shop, the spoon used for all flavors will increase the risk of contact allergens. If you have allergies to fish or shellfish, avoid seafood restaurants.

Consider a restaurant franchise, especially when you are traveling

Each restaurant in the same franchise tends to use the same ingredients and prepare food in the same way, so if you already know what foods are safe to order at the restaurant in one branch, it is likely to be the same in other branches.

Call the restaurant

When calling a restaurant, telephone between the two meal times. Don't call during breakfast, lunch or dinner hours. The best time to call is 14:00 to 16:00. Most restaurants are not busy at this time and you can talk to the manager or chef. If there is no manager or chef, ask for a manager or chef's name and ask the best time to call back with a list of questions prepared.

Here are some suggestions for questions after you tell them that you or your child has a food allergy:

• "Are you willing to serve me in your restaurant?" If they say yes, tell them as much information as possible about food allergies or the special food menu you need. Make sure they understand how allergic reactions can have serious consequences.
  
• "Are your staff trained in handling food allergies?" This is important because there is constant employee turnover in the food service industry. You don't want untrained employees to handle your food menu requests.
• "Do you have separate places and containers to prepare special food?" If yes, ask them what foods are prepared in this area. There may be hidden allergens used in this area.
• "Do you have a special cutting board to process my food?" Some companies make color-coded equipment for safe food preparation for people who have food allergies. If they have this tool, this is proof that this restaurant has a special understanding of food allergen procedures.
• "Do you have special food for allergic people?"If they prepare a mixture of rice milk, or packaged snacks, or desserts from trusted producers, this restaurant shows awareness about food allergies and planning for guests who might have these needs.
• "Can I see material labels?" If they are willing to display material labels, this is a good sign. Remember, you understand your food allergies, not restaurant staff.
• "Will you be in the restaurant when I'm there?" If not, ask for the name of the manager or staff member.

After giving your manager or chef a list of your food allergies, tell them about what you usually eat when eating out. With this information, the chef must be able to make a menu that suits your needs.

Next, discuss cooking preparation. Food that is sauteed or baked will minimize the use of common cooking utensils and shared equipment. See a list of ingredients used in your plate, including food decorations (garnish), to ensure there are no hidden allergens. After you both agree, write it down and bring it to show to the restaurant when you eat. Inform the manager or chef when you plan to come there, so they can supervise your food preparation process.

At the restaurant

Communicate with restaurant employees

Talk with everyone. Restaurant managers and staff must know your food allergies. Remind the manager or butler about your allergies before you sit down.

Ask what is on your plate and how it is prepared. Make sure that preparing this food understands your food allergies and explains that cross-contact must be avoided. You might want to talk to the manager and chef to confirm this. Know what procedures the restaurant follows to keep your food safe.

Don't be shy if you feel you are not communicating effectively. If the staff doesn't seem to understand your situation, always trust your intestines and look for other staff members or managers. Sometimes, the safest option is to avoid eating there, enjoy time with your friends, and find safe food elsewhere after that.

If you have good experience in a restaurant, tell the staff about it and come back again.

Food selection

If you have to ask many complicated questions about food items on the menu, order a simpler meal menu such as baked potatoes, grilled chicken, or steamed vegetables.

Avoid fried foods. Foods that are baked and cooked with cooking oil are at risk for cross-contact; it's best to avoid fried foods unless you know for sure that food is prepared safely.

Be careful when ordering desserts, which are often a source of hidden allergens. Because many restaurants order their desserts from specialty stores, staff may not be able to provide a complete list of ingredients. If in doubt, wait and eat a safe dessert at home.