Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on June 24, 2026
Having food allergies at a restaurant can be a stressful situation. Whether your allergies are minor or life-threatening, it is important to confidently navigate the process.
While this information is in no way a substitute for doing your own research and consulting a health care provider about your specific allergy needs, we have provided a list of tips and tricks to help you advocate for yourself with food allergies at a restaurant.
But first, let’s talk about how common food allergies are. They are more common than you may think!
According to the organization, Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), food allergies are only rising. Between 2007 and 2016, there has been a 377% increase in anaphylactic food reactions. That is a significant rise over 10 years.
FARE estimates that 33 million Americans have food allergies. In fact, 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children deal with this issue. While eating at home with foods of confirmed origin is probably the safest option, Americans also have another large statistic.
We like to eat out! We are a foodie country with restaurants everywhere. From fast food to fine dining and everything in between.
So, what does eating out look like for someone with a food allergy?
It can be described as anywhere from stressful to participating in a Russian Roulette.
Will this dish truly be gluten free? Did the grease come in contact with shellfish? Is there cross-contamination risk?
What can you do?
While not fool proof (there is, after all, human error) there are some things you can do to help you navigate food allergies at a restaurant more safely.
Communication is always important. Regardless of the situation. When it comes to food allergies at a restaurant, it is even more so.
Staff do not know what they don’t know. Don’t just rely on the menu notes to make meal decisions. There could be unlisted ingredients, shared cooking equipment, and other cross-contamination opportunities.
Clearly indicate to your server of your food allergy situation. It may be embarrassing. But no more than hives or an ambulance ride from the restaurant.
Be prepared ahead of your visit to communicate your food allergies at a restaurant. Your health is important. But so is your freedom to eat away from home.
While not every restaurant may be able to accommodate allergy situations due to cross-contamination, most have plans in place that you simply need to initiate. This initiation generally starts with a conversation.
Don’t simply rely on the menu to confirm allergen information. If possible, speak directly to the restaurant manager and head chef before dining.
Even if you have eaten at the restaurant before, protocols and practices may change between locations and among staff members within the same restaurant. These changes could introduce an unknown factor. Without this information every time at every location, you are essentially eating blind and putting yourself at risk.
Cross-contamination risk is a common factor in food allergies at a restaurant. While some facilities may not be able to provide this option, larger restaurants often can. Ask about cross contamination risk when you speak to the chef and kitchen manager. More specifically, ask about shared work areas. Things like fryers, grills, pans, and utensils are common modes of cross-contamination.
Is there gluten free equipment? Are there shellfish-free fryers? Those with celiacs may even need safe utensils used for cooking and eating.
Even if you regularly dine at a specific establishment, your approach to food allergies at a restaurant do not change just because you are eating the food at home. FARE says that the allergy safety protocols employed at a restaurant may differ between delivery and takeout from in-store dining.
Don’t forget to confirm with the restaurant how they handle allergen requests, including packaging and order notes. The discussion may not take place face to face. However, a phone call may replace the in person chat with the chef and kitchen manager.
Overlooked allergen risks often involve condiments and utensils. House-made dressings and dipping sauces may contain ingredients that staff have not considered.
For those with extreme gluten allergies, the pots, pans, and other cooking equipment may be considered. But cutlery at your table may not be. Bringing your own from home is way to avoid that risk. It may seem weird, but your health and safety are more important than pulling out a fork and spoon from a ziplock bag.
Becoming sick with food allergies at a restaurant can be traumatic. If you take every precaution, carefully read menus and labels, and still get sick, you may have a legal case.
Food allergy reactions can range from mild to very serious. Medical bills, lost work, and other burdens associated with your situation add up. Who is responsible for those bills?
If you have become sick with food allergies at a restaurant, the Lange Law Firm may be able to help! A Food Allergy Lawyer can answer your questions (even those you may not have thought of). They can help gather evidence on your behalf. Represent you to insurance companies and in court where needed.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has an experienced Food Allergy Lawyer that can help you through this difficult situation.
Call (833) 330-3663 or click here to send an email for a free-no obligation consultation.
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Navigating Food Allergies at a Restaurant,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)