IU Dining registered dietitians work individually with students who have food allergies, related medical conditions, and/or religious dietary preferences. The initial consultation typically includes discussion of dining safety protocols, a demo on IU’s online menu tools, and a conversation about which dining halls will best meet the student’s specific needs. Students are then connected with the manager and chef at their selected dining locations.
Dietary accommodations
IU is an AllerTrain® university, with 130+ AllerTrain-certified staff and another 300 staff who are trained in how to avoid cross contamination and prepare allergen-friendly dishes. At each location, meal plan holders may ask to speak with a chef or manager with any questions about allergen protocols. Student staff also receive training on food allergies and Celiac disease.
Allergen Identification
The following icons identify 10 of the most common food allergens. You’ll find them on IU's NetNutrition and Nutrislice websites and on-site at residential dining locations.
Free From IX, Worry Free
IU Dining operates allergen-sensitive concepts in three All You Care to Eat locations, all of which offer a daily smoothie.
The Free From IX station at McNutt offers food prepared by specially trained staff in a kitchen that does not use dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, or shellfish. Breakfast options include Halal meat and coconut yogurt, with made to order sandwiches, grilled chicken, and pasta bowls for lunch and dinner.
The Worry Free concept at Forest and Wright Quad (scheduled to reopen in Fall 2025) are designated spaces free of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Students can customize meals with quinoa or rice bowls, gluten-free sandwiches, and vegan, gluten-free pasta.
Special diets
IU is *halal certified, with certificates from the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America. IU purchases halal meats from the halal-certified Halperns Steak and Seafood in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
*Please note that halal meat is often pinker, as younger birds have higher levels of myoglobin.