Allergy Information

Reading Labels and Ordering Safely After Dark

Late-night orders come with their own allergy challenges. Kitchens are often winding down, staff may be fewer, and the person who knows a recipe best may have gone home. A few habits can make ordering safer when you have a food allergy or intolerance.

Know the major allergens

In the United States, federal labelling law recognises nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Sesame was added most recently, so older packaging or recipe cards may not mention it. Packaged items should name these allergens in the ingredient list or in a separate "Contains" statement. Freshly prepared restaurant food usually doesn't carry the same kind of label, so the menu description and a direct question are your best sources.

Look past the obvious

• Sauces and dressings can contain soy, fish, sesame, egg or nuts even when the dish itself seems simple.
• Fried foods may share oil with battered shellfish or wheat-coated items.
• Desserts and baked goods are often made on shared equipment with nuts, dairy and eggs.
• "May contain" statements are voluntary warnings about shared equipment or facilities. A missing statement doesn't guarantee a product is free of an allergen.

Practical tips for owl-hour orders

1. Check the menu descriptions before you order. Seasonal items can change, so don't assume a dish is the same as last time.
2. Add a clear allergy note to your order. Put the allergen first, for example "Peanut allergy: no peanuts or peanut oil."
3. Order earlier in the evening when you can. Kitchens closing late may have fewer options for safe preparation. Our hours page can help you plan.
4. When the food arrives, check the packaging and labels before you eat. If anything looks different from what you ordered, set it aside.

If you have a severe allergy, keep any prescribed medication within reach and follow the plan your doctor or allergist has given you. This page is general information, not medical advice. Your healthcare provider is the right person to ask about your specific risks. For questions about a particular order, use our contact page.