How to Tell a Restaurant About a Food Allergy Without Talking
Use the free tool — Allergy Menu Card
Why a written card matters
Verbal allergy warnings get lost between the server, the ticket, and the line cook. A written card in the kitchen's own language — naming the allergen, the severity, and cross-contact — is what allergists and chefs actually recommend.
- 1 in 13 US children has a food allergy — every kitchen already serves them; cards make it safe. (FARE)
- Top 9 allergens are recognized on US food labels by law — but restaurants have no such labeling rule, which is why your card matters. (FDA FASTER Act)
On the card
This is the exact text that should appear on the card, front and back, in each language you need:
- The allergen, named clearly — with hidden or local names in parentheses.
- The severity, exactly as you describe it — this guide does not set severity for you.
- Whether the person carries epinephrine, stated plainly, with a direction to seek emergency care on exposure — never a dosing instruction.
- A cross-contact warning, on every card marked severe or anaphylaxis.
- Any exception an allergist has given — carried exactly as written and labeled "per allergist." No exception is ever added or assumed.
Card text stays short enough for a line cook to read in 15 seconds, mid-rush. That is a safety limit, not a style choice — it is why long paragraphs are not an option.
Kitchen notes
Shared fryers, grills, and utensils cause reactions even when the dish itself "contains none." (FARE, dining out)
- For peanut or tree nut allergies: ask whether the fryer oil is shared with other foods.
- For shellfish allergies: ask whether the steamer or grill surface is shared.
- For any severe allergy: ask the server to confirm with the kitchen, not just repeat back what they think is true.
Good to know
Allergens hide under names that are not obvious on a menu. A card can list the common hidden names for the exact allergen you typed, and note cuisine-specific watchouts — but only for the allergens you entered, and only from what is known and stated, not guessed.
What this does not do
This card supports communication. It does not replace medical guidance, epinephrine, or asking the kitchen questions directly. When in doubt, don't eat it.
This is not medical advice. Confirm severity and exceptions with your allergist. Nothing you type is stored.
What to do next
Type the allergies, the severity, any allergist exceptions, and the languages you need. The tool reads exactly what you typed — nothing more — and builds a chef-ready card: unambiguous terms, hidden names, and cross-contact language included, readable in 15 seconds. Print it, save it to your phone, or laminate it for the lunchbox, and hand it to every server.
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.