Restaurants and food allergies - a problem?

Restaurants and food allergies - a problem?

Among other things, I have been allergic to dairy products for several years. When I go to restaurants, I always politely ask for “no cheese or sour cream.” Next I get a starter with a cream sauce. Most food servers don't even know this contains dairy!

Since the menus never specify which allergen ingredients are in the entrees, I will ask the food server if a particular dish contains dairy if I am unsure. Sometimes I ask if it contains anything else I'm allergic to. They automatically look at you like you're the pickiest person on the planet! Then I have to explain that I am allergic to dairy products and other certain ingredients. They'll get a worried look and tell me they'll talk to the chef to find out what's in the starter I'm asking.

They usually come back to the table and explain that the chef doesn't know what's in some sauces or ingredients because they are prepackaged or bottled. That's why sometimes I take a risk and order an appetizer because I think it's okay. Even tarter sauce for fish is sometimes made with sour cream, although I like it with mayonnaise and I had to stop eating it after trying it.

I once ordered a dinner that I was unknowingly allergic to and immediately had a reaction and had it taken away. Then I just ate the bread that came with the meal. I was very pleased when they took my order off the bill, but it could have been avoided in the first place if they had known more about the ingredients.

I really appreciate the fact that it is now mandatory for the allergen ingredients to be listed on almost all types of products in the grocery stores! Especially when the label clearly states that the product contains milk, rather than having to read through the long list of ingredients, which often lists milk as “whey” or “casein.” Especially if you are allergic to dairy products, it is always advisable to learn the different terms for dairy products as not all products are clearly stated on food labels. Some products say "dairy-free" on the front label, but the ingredient label lists casein, so labels need to be checked thoroughly.

As we look at food labels with allergen information, a thought comes to mind (okay...I've been thinking about this for a long time!). Why don't restaurants have to clearly list allergen ingredients? the menus next to the appetizer description? Do we ask allergy sufferers too much?

I think if I didn't have food allergies I wouldn't care if the restaurants did or not. But if a person ever feels like they're having an immediate food allergy or some of the "soon to follow" reactions, they would really want this information on all restaurant menus.

How nice it would be if I didn't have to deal with the food server and had a dinner where I didn't have to worry about passing out, having trouble breathing, or worse!

Food allergies are becoming more and more common every day. I support keeping this valuable information on all restaurant menus! When will that happen? Soon, I hope.

Inspired by Verona Blessing