How Do You Say 'Severe Allergy' to a Chef in Spanish?
Use the free tool — Allergy Menu Card
Why saying "severe allergy" out loud isn't enough
A verbal warning travels from you, to the server, to a ticket, to the line cook — and something gets lost every step. A written card, in the kitchen's own language, is what allergists and chefs actually recommend. You type the allergies and severity; the card says the rest.
Why this matters more than people think
- 1 in 13 US children has a food allergy — every kitchen already serves them (FARE).
- Cross-contact — shared fryers, grills and utensils cause reactions even when the dish "contains none." The card has to say it (FARE dining out).
- Top 9 allergens are recognized by US label law — but restaurants have no such labeling rule, which is exactly why a card matters (FDA FASTER Act).
On the card
The card carries the exact words, front and back, in the language you choose. It states what exists — for example, that the person carries epinephrine — and directs to emergency care on exposure. It does not give dosing or medical advice; that comes from your allergist. Severity is whatever you typed, not something we infer. If your own notes say an allergist allows an exception, like baked egg, the card carries that exception exactly as written, labeled "per allergist" — it is never expanded or guessed at.
Cross-contact language is mandatory on every card marked severe or anaphylaxis, because shared fryers and utensils are where restaurant reactions actually happen.
Kitchen notes
The card also carries the specific question to ask the server for your allergens — for example, whether the fryer is shared for peanut, or the steamer is shared for shellfish. This is written short enough for a line cook to read in about 15 seconds, mid-rush. That length limit isn't a style choice — it's what makes the card usable when it matters.
Good to know
Allergens hide under other names on menus and in sauces. The card includes the hidden names for your specific allergens, and cuisine-specific watchouts where they apply — so you're not relying on memory in an unfamiliar kitchen.
What to do next
The free tool reads what you type — your allergies, severity, exceptions, and languages — and turns it into the card above. Nothing is saved.
- Type the allergies, severity, and any exceptions, and pick your languages.
- Get the chef-ready card: unambiguous terms, hidden names, cross-contact, a 15-second read.
- Hand it to every server. Print it, save it to your phone, or laminate it for the lunchbox.
First card is free. A family pack is $7 for one person; allergists and schools can get a plan at $29 per month.
This card supports communication — it does not replace medical guidance, epinephrine, or asking the kitchen questions. When in doubt, don't eat it.
Allergy Menu Card writes communication cards from what you type; it can be wrong and it is not medical advice. Confirm severity and exceptions with your allergist. Nothing you type is stored.
Allergy Menu Card writes communication cards from what you type; it can be wrong and it is not medical advice. Confirm severity and exceptions with your allergist. Nothing you type is stored.