How to brief a waiter about coeliac disease

Restaurants in many countries have to provide allergen information. Coeliac societies publish the questions that turn it into a safe meal.

What restaurants have to provide

1. EU. Allergen information is mandatory for non-prepacked food, including restaurant dishes. Cereals containing gluten are one of the 14 allergens. Each country decides how it is given, for example on the menu or by staff.

2. US. The FDA Food Code is a model code that states adopt. Its 2022 edition asks businesses to give written notice of major allergens in unpackaged food, for example on a menu or table tent. Wheat is one of the nine major allergens, but barley and rye are not, so ask about malt separately.

3. Australia and New Zealand. For unpackaged food at a café or takeaway, allergens must be displayed with the food or given on request, using the required names such as "wheat" and "gluten".

4. South Korea. Since July 2021, chains with 50 or more outlets that mainly sell burgers, pizza, bakery items or ice cream must show 22 allergens, including wheat. The information sits next to the menu item, on the website or app, and on a leaflet or sticker for deliveries.

Before you go

5. Call at a quiet time. The National Celiac Association suggests calling outside busy hours and speaking to the chef or manager.

At the table

6. Lead with the diagnosis. The Celiac Disease Foundation advises telling staff that you have coeliac disease, and asking for the chef if needed.

7. Ask specific questions.

   • Is there a separate fryer?
   • Is the gluten-free pasta cooked in fresh water?
   • Are sauces or gravy thickened with flour?
   • Is the soy sauce regular or tamari?

   Coeliac New Zealand advises extra care with dishes described as fried or crispy, and with soy sauce other than tamari.

8. Confirm when the plate arrives. Coeliac UK suggests checking that the dish is the gluten-free order. If in doubt, do not eat it.

On the site:

• Tokyo: the board outside Hokkaido Sapporo Noodle marks gluten-free options. See Tokyo restaurants.
• Tokyo: Gluten Free T's Kitchen has a photo menu that marks allergens.
• Cartagena, Colombia: Casona Vida is a brunch spot with gluten-free options. See Cartagena restaurants.
• Toronto: at Pai, the fryer and the soy sauce are the questions to ask. See Toronto restaurants.
• Whistler: the menu at The Keg marks gluten-friendly items. See Whistler restaurants.

Sources: European Commission · FDA Food Code 2022 · FSANZ · Korea MFDS (korea.kr) · Coeliac New Zealand