What is a Food Allergy?
A food allergy affects the immune system and causes it to have an inappropriate reaction. Food allergies can range in severity, but the distinguishing factor is immune system involvement. Anyone with a food allergy cannot tolerate even a small amount of the food in question without this response.
Food allergies can be life-threatening at any point, even if previous reactions have been mild. Any food allergy can become anaphylaxis (closing of the airway) very quickly. If this occurs, dial 911 (or the corresponding emergency number) and obey the emergency operator until help arrives.
What is a Food Intolerance?
A food intolerance is the inability of the digestive system to process a given food. At no point does food intolerance involve the immune system. Instead, they produce various symptoms ranging from mild to incredibly painful.
People with food intolerances may be able to tolerate a small amount of the problem food. They may also be able to take something to limit problems. However, everyone is different, so it’s best to assume the intolerance is total.
An Etiquette Note
At no point is it acceptable to “sneak” or otherwise feed someone a food they do not wish to eat. It is not cute, funny, or otherwise acceptable to see if a food allergy/intolerance is “real.” In many legal codes, this is considered assault and does have legal consequences.
If you are unsure if a food contains an offending ingredient, be honest and upfront about it. Most people with food intolerances will quickly make their own decisions.
Referring to People with Food Allergies and Intolerances
Most people with food allergies and intolerances prefer person first language if they have a preference at all. Food allergies and intolerances may be linked to other conditions, so someone may choose their preferred language based on that experience.
When in doubt, ask the person in question what their preferences are.
Creating an Accessible Environment for People with Food Allergies and Intolerances
Label Where Possible
Labeling is one of the best ways to prevent an incident involving food allergies and intolerances. This option means you provide food labels at the point of service. Alternatively, staff can provide this information if they are properly versed in the options.
In many cases, SFI events may include a potluck component. Requesting people bring a list of ingredients with any dish they provide is a reasonable option. You can also have a pen and looseleaf paper available for anyone who forgets.
Choose Foods That Maximize Inclusivity
Food is often central to gatherings, so choosing options that let people customize to their needs is a great option. Choices like assemble your own bowl, personalized sandwiches, tacos, and others are fantastic for including people without making a big deal about it.
If you’re going this route, it’s important to provide a variety of options to cover the most common dietary restrictions. Things like vegetarian, top 10 allergen-free, and so on need to be considered.
Provide a Point of Contact
If you’re going to do food, especially a pre-selected menu, providing a point of contact with the invitation can greatly help people with food allergies and intolerances. Knowing who to ask relieves a lot of the pressure on both ends.
Adjust Plans for Life-Threatening Situations
Some food allergies are life-threatening, so schools sometimes go nut-free for students with peanut allergies. When an allergy is known and severe, it may be prudent to exclude those ingredients from events entirely.
Feel like this guide is missing something? Let us know at sfcoa@sfi.org.
Want to know more about accessible communication? Check out Accessible Communication 101.