Food Allergies and Dietary Needs

To help create a safe place to make food choices that are readily available, Dining Services has the following procedures in place to prevent common exposures to allergens and gluten:

• A self-serve pantry at Bridgeway Stations offers gluten-free products and houses clean utensils and individual condiment packages.
• Each dining location or service line follows specific procedures for orders designated to be gluten-free or allergen-safe prepared in designated preparation spaces, and uses designated equipment.
• Students can ask staff to wash their hands and change their gloves.

Dining Services gives students the option to pre-order meals with advance notice. This gives students the opportunity to order ahead and have their meal made specific to their needs.

Students can pre-order at most locations using our mobile ordering app. For dietary accommodations at Pioneer Crossing, students can use the online pre-order form. 

For pre-ordering at Bridgeway Stations, students must request dietary accommodations with Dining Services and/or have met with the registered dietitian.

Digital menus communicate the top nine allergens, food icons representing different meal patterns, as well as other ingredient or food preparation information.

• Offer confidential, individualized counseling with a registered dietitian to assist students with navigating their dining experience.
• Facilitate training for all staff about food allergies and dietary needs. Our chefs, managers, cooks, and student leaders complete an AllerTrain™ course every three years.
• Take precautions to prevent cross-contact and cross-contamination.
• Provide accurate, up-to-date ingredient, allergen, and nutrition information to students. We also have an open policy for requests to view all product labels used in our recipes.
• Offer a variety of foods daily in the dining hall.
• Permit students to pre-order meals with advance notice.
• Respond promptly, confidentially, and impartially to all feedback.

Students have a responsibility in actively managing their food allergies or dietary needs. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to inform Dining Services about their needs and to be their own best advocate. 

• Notify Dining Services of your needs by clicking “dietary accommodations needed” when signing up for your meal plan contract or email dietaryneeds@uwplatt.edu.
• Utilize the online menu system.
• Familiarize yourself with the daily menus and signs posted regarding allergens and dietary needs.
• Download the mobile ordering app and/or use the online pre-order form.
• Avoid unsafe foods, recognize symptoms of allergic reactions, carry medications at all times, and seek help when needed.
• Report any issues and provide feedback.

Dining Services can help accommodate for religious practices.

• Identify ingredients that contain pork or alcohol on our menu system
• Reach out to our registered dietitian for dining during Ramadan or Lent
• Reach out to Dining Services if you practice a strict Halal diet or have other restrictions

Information for all ingredients and products are collected from various food distributors as well as the United States Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Database and are utilized in Dining Services' food management software system. Nutrition information is intended for personal information and comparison only and may differ from similar items sold on or off campus. We do not represent or authorize accuracy of the information, although it is correct to the best of our knowledge.

While Dining Services does not have allergen- or gluten-free facilities, we take precaution to identify allergen and gluten information and make an effort to instruct food production staff on the severity of food allergies and Celiac disease. However, there is always risk of cross-contact. In addition, manufacturers may change product specifications without notice and product availability may fluctuate. Guests need to be aware of this risk and proceed accordingly. Dining Services does not assume liability for reactions to foods consumed or items one may come into contact with while eating at dining locations.

Dining Services labels “gluten-friendly” menu items on our online menu system and on digital menus located on site. These menu items are prepared with ingredients that are naturally free from gluten. Though steps are taken to manage the risk of cross-contact it cannot be guaranteed.

If you have a food allergy or other dietary need like Celiac disease, please speak with staff about your needs or reach out to our registered dietitian at dietaryneeds@uwplatt.edu. Specific procedures are in place at each dining location to help prevent common exposures to food allergens and gluten such as designated preparation space and separate equipment.