For the 33 million Americans who have one of the nine most common food allergies — including to milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy, sesame and many types of fish — traveling safely can be a challenge, but it's getting easier.
While airlines say they can't guarantee a completely nut-free flight, the recently enacted Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act will result in the addition of epinephrine syringes on planes over the next two years and additional medical training for flight attendants.
Locally, hotels and restaurants are also customising meals, offering menus with allergen symbols, increasing staff training and implementing better food handling processes.
Still, it's important to voice your opinion. As a parent of a child with a gluten intolerance and a severe peanut allergy, I've learned some simple and effective ways to eat safely while on the go and reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Pack your bags to protect yourself
Consider bringing allergy-friendly snacks with you on your trip. Trusted brands that are peanut-, tree-nut-, gluten- and dairy-free include MadeGood, Goodie Girl, Enjoy Life and Simple Mills. These on-the-go products include snack chips and granola bars. When traveling within the U.S., you can also bring fresh fruit in a resealable bag with a reusable mini ice pack. These are allowed in your carry-on luggage, but you'll need to include the ice pack with your other liquids when going through security.
If you travel with epinephrine syringes, keep a tracker like an Apple AirTag or Tile in your carry-on bag in its case to notify you if you leave it at home or behind while traveling so you don't end up with a syringe on hand. The Transportation Security Administration limits passengers to two syringes and requires that syringes be stored in their original box with the prescription label visible.
The Food and Drug Administration also recommends bringing cleaning wipes. Unlike hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes can remove up to 99% of allergens, including peanut residue, from surfaces, helping to prevent cross-contamination. Be sure to wash your hands after use to avoid direct contact.
Tell the hotel what you need
The Americans with Disabilities Act helps protect people with food allergies by giving them the right to request necessary changes to hotel policies and conditions that are unfavorable to them. However, hotels and rental properties cannot always guarantee allergy-friendly accommodations. When booking, prioritize establishments that are highly rated by other travelers with food sensitivities through online tools such as the Spokin app and blog. This service allows you to search for allergy-specific reviews of hotels and restaurants. Walt Disney Resort, Hilton, Marriott, Fairmont, Kimpton, and Four Seasons are some of the highly rated global hotel chains. In addition, all Kimpton hotels worldwide offer the “Forgot? We've got it” program, providing allergy-free toiletries and snacks.
Most hotel booking apps allow you to search only for rooms with kitchens, which is great if you like to prepare your own meals. If you can't book a room with a kitchen, you might be able to ask the front desk for a microwave and mini-fridge so you can store and reheat your own meals. When booking, detail any dietary restrictions in your profile and ask the manager to share them with staff when you arrive.
Airbnb and Vrbo accommodations usually come with full kitchens, but remember to wash utensils and dishes in hot, soapy water before use to reduce the risk of contamination.
Allergy-friendly air travel
The Air Carriage Access Act, like the ADA, protects airline passengers with dietary sensitivities by allowing travelers to board early to allow for cleaning of seats and other surfaces. Although many airlines no longer serve peanuts, a common allergen, there is no guarantee that in-flight meals will be completely free of traces of peanuts that could cause an allergic reaction. Some flights designate areas, known as buffer zones, where peanut products are not served or eaten by passengers. Contact your airline before booking to confirm flight details.
At the airport, Spokin helps you find suitable dining options nearby in 80 countries. You can filter by specific dietary restrictions and view thousands of user reviews for each establishment. The FindMeGlutenFree app searches for options for celiac people in airports around the world.
Talk to the chef
It seems simple, but if you filter for the keyword “specialty markets” in Google Maps, you'll find plenty of allergy-friendly options and helpful reviews. Organic markets and health food stores are often good options for people with food intolerances.
If you're planning on dining out, platforms like OpenTable allow you to make direct requests for accommodations in 80 countries, and the AllergyEats app allows you to search for restaurants with dietary restrictions by state, but is only available in the US.
If you travel abroad, consider carrying a downloadable chef card from the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education. The card tells restaurants what foods they should avoid serving in one of 10 other languages ​​besides English, available on their website. The iTranslate app can help you communicate your requests to restaurant staff by translating photos of menus and signs.
When traveling to the US, if possible, dine at off-peak times, such as between 2pm and 4pm rather than during the lunch and dinner rushes. Chefs are then more likely to be available to discuss special dietary requests, and orders won't pile up, allowing kitchen staff time to carefully prepare meals and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Lisa McCarty is an author and women's health advocate. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
For further travel advice, Travel Introduction Tips and Hacks.
