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Common Food Allergens in Restaurants

Important Definitions

• Celiac Disease: A serious illness where eating gluten damages the small intestine. It can cause pain, diarrhea, and tiredness.
• Lactose Intolerance: When the body cannot digest lactose (a sugar in milk). It causes stomach pain and gas.
• Legume: A type of plant that grows seeds in pods. Peanuts are legumes, like beans and lentils.
• Crustaceans: Sea animals with hard shells, like shrimp, crab, and lobster.
• Mollusks: Soft-bodied sea animals, often with shells, like clams, mussels, and squid.
• Protein: A nutrient found in foods like meat, eggs, and beans. Allergies often happen because of certain proteins.
• Cross-Contact: When allergens touch other foods or surfaces and cause contamination.
• Allergen: A substance that can cause an allergic reaction.
• Immune Reaction: The body’s defense system reacting to something harmful or seen as harmful.

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This document lists common foods that can cause allergies. Each allergen includes:

• History (how it became known)
• What it is made from
• How it affects the body
• Possible symptoms
• Examples of foods that contain it

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Quick Allergen Categories Table

Category	Examples
Grains	Gluten (wheat, barley)
Dairy	Milk, cheese, butter
Animal-based	Eggs, Fish, Shellfish
Plant-based	Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy
Seeds	Sesame, Mustard

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1. Gluten

• History: Gluten problems were first studied in the 1940s. People with celiac disease cannot eat gluten.
• What it is made from: A protein in wheat, barley, and rye.
• How it affects the body: Damages the small intestine in celiac disease. Causes stomach pain in sensitive people.
• Possible symptoms: Stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, tiredness.
• Examples: Bread, pasta, pizza, soy sauce, beer.

2. Milk (Dairy)

• History: Milk allergy is common in children. Lactose intolerance is also well known.
• What it is made from: Cow’s milk and dairy products.
• How it affects the body: Allergic reaction or trouble digesting lactose.
• Possible symptoms: Rash, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Examples: Cheese, butter, cream, ice cream.

3. Eggs

• History: Egg allergy is one of the most common in kids.
• What it is made from: Chicken eggs.
• How it affects the body: Immune system reacts to egg proteins.
• Possible symptoms: Rash, breathing problems, stomach pain.
• Examples: Cakes, mayonnaise, omelets.

4. Peanuts

• History: Peanut allergy can be very serious and life-threatening.
• What it is made from: Peanuts (a type of legume).
• How it affects the body: Strong immune reaction.
• Possible symptoms: Swelling, trouble breathing, shock.
• Examples: Peanut butter, sauces, desserts.

5. Tree Nuts

• History: Includes nuts like almonds and walnuts.
• What it is made from: Nuts from trees.
• How it affects the body: Allergic reaction similar to peanuts.
• Possible symptoms: Swelling, rash, trouble breathing.
• Examples: Almond milk, nut toppings, cakes.

6. Soy

• History: Soy allergy is common in children.
• What it is made from: Soybeans.
• How it affects the body: Immune reaction to soy protein.
• Possible symptoms: Rash, stomach pain.
• Examples: Soy sauce, tofu, soy milk.

7. Fish

• History: Fish allergy often lasts for life.
• What it is made from: Fish like salmon, tuna.
• How it affects the body: Immune reaction to fish protein.
• Possible symptoms: Rash, swelling, trouble breathing.
• Examples: Grilled fish, sushi.

8. Shellfish

• History: Includes shrimp, crab, lobster.
• What it is made from: Crustaceans and mollusks.
• How it affects the body: Strong allergic reaction.
• Possible symptoms: Swelling, vomiting, trouble breathing.
• Examples: Shrimp cocktail, crab cakes.

9. Sesame

• History: Sesame allergy is now recognized as serious.
• What it is made from: Sesame seeds and oil.
• How it affects the body: Immune reaction.
• Possible symptoms: Rash, swelling, trouble breathing.
• Examples: Bread with seeds, hummus, tahini.

10. Mustard

• History: Common in sauces and dressings.
• What it is made from: Mustard seeds.
• How it affects the body: Allergic reaction.
• Possible symptoms: Rash, swelling.
• Examples: Mustard sauce, salad dressing.

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Tips for Restaurants

• Always ask customers about allergies.
• Avoid cross-contact when cooking.
• Show allergen information on menus.

Tips for Customers

• Tell the server about your allergy.
• Ask about ingredients and cooking methods.
• Use phrases like: “Does this dish contain nuts?” or “Can you make this without dairy?”

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