Eating out with food allergies in the United States

The rules at a glance

As of the last review, US packaged food must label 9 major allergens. FALCPA covered the original top 8, and sesame was added by the FASTER Act, effective 2023. The FDA's food allergy guidance is the official source for packaged-food labeling information.

US restaurants do not have a federal requirement to disclose allergens in the way packaged-food labels do. Practices vary by state and by restaurant. No US restaurant is federally required to know what is in the fryer. Many restaurants do know and will check when asked.

Last reviewed: July 2026. Rules change; always verify with the official source.

What this means at the table

Treat the staff conversation as the main source for the exact meal. Ask about the allergen, the dish, and shared equipment. If the answer is "should be fine," ask whether the person can check with the kitchen. If they cannot check, decide based on your personal plan.

Chain restaurants may publish allergen charts or PDFs. Use those to narrow the menu, then ask about the local kitchen. Independent restaurants may have strong practices without a formal chart. A clear staff answer is more useful than a polished website with no kitchen process.

US restaurant questions that often matter

• peanut
• tree nut
• sesame
• wheat/gluten
• dairy
• egg
• fish
• shellfish

Fried food needs a fryer question. Ask what else goes into the fryer and whether the oil changes between items. For peanut allergy, ask about peanut oil, desserts, sauces, bar snacks, and seasonal specials.

For gluten or celiac disease, ask about shared fryers, flour in sauces, marinades, breaded items, pasta water, and whether gluten-free bread is toasted on shared equipment. For sesame, ask about buns, spice blends, dressings, and shared toppings.

Chain allergen charts are common in the US. Use the chart to narrow the order, then ask the local restaurant how that item is prepared today.

Official resources

• FDA food allergies.
• FARE.

If something goes wrong

The emergency number in the United States is 911. For medication, epinephrine, observation time, and return-to-care questions, follow your personal anaphylaxis plan and ask your allergist.