Eating out at a restaurant or cafe is often a fun and enjoyable experience, but for those with food allergies, it can also be stressful.
Some restaurants and cafes use QR codes on tables to let customers browse menus and order from their table using their smartphone.
Those with food allergies must remember to let the restaurant or café know about their allergies when using a QR code ordering system to help prevent being served their allergen and to help prevent cross-contamination.
It can be difficult to let restaurant or café staff know about your food allergies when ordering through a QR code system.
Where possible, we recommend you order food in person and speak to wait staff about your allergies at that time. Some QR code systems have a section for noting allergies, but others do not. If you use a QR code to order, it is important to also speak with staff about your food allergies.
A chef card can be helpful when speaking to restaurant or café staff about your food allergies. Ask for the chef card to come back with your meal so you can be sure that the right meal without the food allergen is going to the right person. We also recommend asking the staff about the ingredients and preparation methods used in the dishes.
See our information about eating out with a food allergy for more helpful tips.
Eating out with food allergy
Eating out with food allergies can be a challenge – Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia has useful resources, information and advice to help you.