Home
Nutrition
Food Allergy Management

Food Allergy Management

Accommodating food allergies and medically required diets

Personal Consultation

Our registered dietitians are here to help students with food allergies or related medical conditions find the best available options based on individual dietary needs. Schedule a one-on-one appointment to talk through strategies for avoiding cross-contact with allergens, review menu items and ingredients, and discuss specialty products. You will also be connected to the dining managers and chefs at the location or locations most convenient to your schedule and residence hall.

Schedule an appointment

Staff Training

We are an AllerTrain^® university. Our staff are trained on allergens and food preparation, and our registered dietitians are certified AllerTrain trainers. At each location, ask to talk with the chef or manager if you have questions about allergen protocols. Student staff also receive training on food allergies and Celiac disease.

Allergen Identification

The following icons identify 12 common allergens. You'll find them on IU's NetNutrition and Nutrislice sites as well as on site at residential dining locations.

Free From IX

All food served is prepared by staff trained on allergens and free from the top nine allergens - dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish. Ingredients are stored and prepared within serving area. Dishes, utensils, and appliances are maintained to be allergen free so that cross-contact is not an issue. This allows students to eat a variety of dishes without the worry of cross-contact.

Free From IX is available at McNutt Dining Hall.

Student Responsibilities

Ultimately, it is your responsibility, not your parent’s responsibility, to communicate to others that you have a food allergy.

Contact us before or early in the semester to schedule your personal consultation.
Tell us everything, so we can provide you with a safe dining experience.
Know the allergen icons we use in our locations and on NetNutrition.
Let others around you (like your roommate, friends, classmates, and Resident Assistant) know about your situation.
If you have a prescription for an Epi-Pen, you should carry it with you at all times.
If you are exhibiting symptoms of anaphylaxis
- Get help immediately! Notify a manager or have someone call for help.
- Administer your EpiPen or take an antihistamine.
- Call 911.
- Stay where you are and report the time, day, and foods you have eaten to a staff member.

Cross-contact

This occurs when an allergen is inadvertently transferred from a food containing an allergen to a food that does not contain it. In self-serve situations, this is a potential hazard. Also, fry oil may be in contact with various foods that could contain your allergen. If you are concerned about cross-contact, just ask a staff member to:

Wash hands and change gloves
Use a new/clean utensil to serve your meal
Serve your menu items from the kitchen so they don’t come in contact with the serving line
Give you an overview of that day’s fryer items