Food Allergies
We provide the necessary information to help students manage their food allergies within our dining locations!
Carleton Dining recognizes that about 7.5% of the population is affected by at least one (1) food allergy. Students with allergies can experience a limited diet and spend a higher amount of time and effort managing their allergies compared to other students. Therefore, we make every effort to provide the information that students need to make an informed decision about their food choices. This includes providing menu and product ingredients when necessary and using appropriate dietary icons for each menu option.
- Food Allergy Canada. (2021). Retrieved from Food Allergy Canada: https://foodallergycanada.ca/our-impact-advocacy-and-services/about-us/who-we-are/our-mission/
Do you have food allergies or require a specified diet?
Students with food allergies or requiring specific diets due to a medical condition can book an appointment with our registered dietitian. Private consultations may include a tour of the dining locations to identify which foods are safe and, if necessary, a meeting with the chefs or other necessary managers so that you know who to contact with questions. If you have special dietary needs, contact our Registered Dietitian via e-mail, or schedule an appointment.
Managing Your Allergies
Students’ responsibilities to help them manage food allergies in our dining locations:
- Notify Residence Services and Carleton Dining Services of your food allergy(ies)
- Familiarize yourself with food allergy resources available at Carleton Dining Services through this booklet and our website
- As needed, schedule a meeting with the Dining Services Registered Dietitian (RD) to discuss your options and develop a plan to help you safely dine in our dining locations
- If you are not sure of the ingredients in a menu item, ask one of our chefs in a white coat to provide you with the ingredient list
- Due to the self-serve nature of our dining hall and our open kitchen, cross-contamination is possible. If you have been prescribed an Epipen, make sure to carry it with you at all times
- If you notice something that is problematic for your food allergy, please notify the Registered Dietitian, chef, or manager on duty, so your concern can be addressed promptly
- If you have any questions, please contact the Dining Services RD at askadietitian@carleton.ca. We won’t know that there is a problem unless you communicate it to us. If we don’t hear from you, we believe that you are successfully navigating our dining locations
Our Commitment to You
A plan is developed for each student with special dietary needs who contacts Carleton Dining Services. Here is an overview of the steps we take:
- Once the student contacts Carleton Dining Services, the student will meet with the Registered Dietitian who will work with them to gather information on how the food allergy has been managed, and to discuss how the student can navigate our dining locations. Students who need additional special meal accommodations will be asked to provide medical documentation.
- After the initial meeting with the student, the Registered Dietitian will communicate with the Executive Chef about the student’s personal dietary needs. The culinary team will begin to consider ways in which they can help accommodate the student’s needs.
- The student will meet again with the Registered Dietitian to follow up on their new dietary plan. Whenever requested by the student, the Executive Chef or a member of their team may be present in this second meeting. The meeting also serves as a review of the food options available and the steps the culinary team can take to further accommodate the student’s needs.
- After the second meeting, the Registered Dietitian will let the student know they are reachable via e-mail or phone for any questions or future appointments the student might need.
True Balance
Teraanga Commons Dining Hall has a True Balance allergy station that does not contain ingredients from 9 of the major allergens to better assist our students navigating our dining hall with major allergies.
The station will be open for lunch and dinner and will contain rotation of items with no soy, nuts, peanuts, mustard, gluten ingredients, shellfish, eggs, dairy, or sesame!
For more information about True Balance, please contact our Registered Dietitian.
Purple Allergen Leaders
Purple Allergen Leaders (PALs) are staff in the Teraanga Commons Dining Hall with additional training in allergies. If you would like to see ingredients for a dish or have other allergen questions ask to speak to the PAL of the day, who will be wearing a purple PAL button.
Our managers in a maroon polo – (front office) and chefs (in white) are our main PALs. If you cannot find the PAL of the day, the manager or chef on duty can assist you. For additional questions or concerns, please reach out to the Registered Dietitian at askadietitian@carleton.ca
Food Allergy Guide
Want to learn more about food allergies on campus? Check out our Allergy Guide below!
No-Gluten Pantry
Carleton University Dining Services has a one-of-a-kind No-Gluten Pantry designed for students living in residence on a residential meal plan who have Celiac Disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance.
The pantry is intended to give students with gluten-free needs access to appropriate foods and is located in Teraanga Commons Dining Hall situated in an enclosed area with restricted access. Access of the pantry is granted on an individual basis by the Registered Dietitian. Please note that the No-Gluten Pantry is not certified gluten free. Food prepared for the pantry is cooked separately from gluten-containing items or is pre-packaged.
Note that in addition to the No-Gluten Pantry, we have a No Gluten Icon for foods made without gluten ingredients in various stations at Teraanga Commons Dining Hall. We aim to limit the risk of cross-contamination, but due to the open nature of the Dining Hall we can’t guarantee that the items are gluten-free. Please visit the dietary icon tab for more information.
Need to Gain Access to the No-Gluten Pantry?
1. Book an appointment for No-Gluten Pantry Access, below:
2. A one-to-one interview will be scheduled to review rules and regulations and sign the No-Gluten Pantry User Agreement
3. Once you have access, you can use the pantry anytime you are in Teraanga Commons Dining Hall. When you come into Teraanga Commons Dining Hall, you simply swipe your student card to get into the pantry.