Food Allergies, Food Sensitivities

Many Restaurants Have Nutritional and Allergen Information Available

Nov 28, 2007

Links to articles about food allergies and popular chain restaurants, and a reminder that things change. For people with food allergies, don't assume - ask.

In various articles, I've written about food allergies and about the information that different restaurant chains provide on their websites, about food ingredients and allergens.

Reading Dr. Paul J. Hannaway's book On the Nature of Food Allergy reminded me that food allergens can lurk where you least expect them.

The articles I've written about this topic are listed here, with links to each one. However, it's very important to stress that things change. Cooking and kitchen practices change, recipes change, ingredients change, and people's sensitivities change, to name just a few things.

After taking all reasonable precautions to avoid contact with the allergen, a person with a food allergy is still making a leap of faith when taking a bite of food. If things go wrong, and someone at the next table has an allergic reaction, how many of us would be able to help out? I think this is an especially relevant question for those who work in the service industry, but also for the general public.

Here are the articles. Please note, the articles and the various restaurant websites are a starting point only. It's really important to make sure to look at the most recent version of the website (refresh your browser screen!) and to ask all the necessary questions at the restaurant. Even if you asked on Tuesday, ask again on Wednesday. Things change.