Dining with Food Allergies or Intolerances

Grafton Grove O’Rorke Orbit Uni Towers Haven

We understand dining with food allergies can be challenging, especially in a new dining environment. To better support your dining experience at our halls, our chefs and kitchen staff are committed to providing clear and accurate information, so that you can make safe and informed food choices.

Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do at your dining hall.

  • Make sure that you have registered your food allergies and/or intolerances with your university hall. If you haven’t done so, or need to make any changes, speak to your residence hall manager or administrator to get this sorted.

  • The menu descriptor shows you the name of the menu and may have certain dietaries or allergens declared such as vegan, vegetarian, made without gluten, or made without dairy.

    Important note!

    On the menu descriptor, if it has a declaration of:

    • ‘Made without gluten’ - this means that the menu is made without any gluten containing ingredients.

    • ‘Made without dairy’ - this means that the menu is made without any dairy containing ingredients.

    The allergen declaration card lists menu items available at each meal service and declares what common food allergens* are present with each menu item. These are displayed at the serveries.

    To learn more about allergen declaration cards, what they look like, and what they mean for you, check out our guide here.

    If you are unsure of what to have, do not see your food allergen on the card, or would like to know more about the meals, please reach out to one of our friendly team for assistance.  

    *The 21 common food allergens are: Peanuts, Shellfish (mollusc and crustacea), Milk, Eggs, Fish, Sesame seeds, Sulphites, Wheat, Gluten, Treenuts (Almond, Brazil, Cashew, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Pistachio, Walnut, Pine nuts), Soy and Lupin.

  • Students with food allergies/intolerances have the option of separately plated mains, salads and dessert at each service.

    Breakfast – Reach out to the chef to check if the hot breakfast option is safe for you.  PCU spreads are available.

    Lunch & Dinner – Students with food allergies/intolerances have the option of separately plated and main meal and desserts*. All you need to do is reach out to your head chef or supervisor at each service.

    *Quick note: depending on the day’s menus of the day and their allergen presence, your menu selection may be different from the standard offering, still made following strict allergy management procedures.

  • As the self-service stations are a risk of cross-contamination, students with food allergies/intolerances have the option to request separately plated meals, salads, and dessert from your dining hall head chef or supervisor.

    If you are unable to find meals suited for you, or have any queries or concerns with the self-service stations, please do not hesitate to ask for your head chef or supervisor. They will be able to provide a separate plate from a fresh batch in the kitchen.

TOP TIP!

If you would like to speak to someone regarding your dietary requirement(s) and discuss how we can better support your dining experience and nutrition whilst at the dining hall, you can reach out to us through your residence hall manager!

Alternatively, you can also reach us through our Ask a Dietitian or contact form.

Please note for ALL halls:

  • Due to the nature of self-service stations (e.g., salad bars), there is a risk of cross-contamination.

  • Deep-fried menu items are cooked in the same oil with allergen-containing and non-plant-based foods.

  • PCU spreads are available at breakfast and lunch service, and upon request at the servery outside of these service times.

If you are unsure of what to have, or have any questions about the meals, please talk to one of our friendly staff.

We are committed to providing food that meets high safety and suitability standards and we understand the importance of allergen management and awareness. We have a comprehensive allergen management plan in place and while we take every precaution to avoid cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee our dishes are 100% free from trace amounts of allergens.

It is important to note that our kitchen handles a diverse range of ingredients, including Gluten, Wheat, Milk/Dairy, Egg, Soy, Fish, Shellfish*, Tree Nuts*, Peanuts, Sesame, Sulphites, and Lupin. Products from our suppliers may also be manufactured in facilities where allergen-containing ingredients are present.

*Shellfish includes all mollusc and crustacean. Tree Nuts include, but is not limited to, common Tree Nuts like almond, Brazil nut, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, pecan, pistachio, walnut, and pine nut.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding your dietary requirement(s) and discuss how we can better support your dining experience and nutrition whilst at the dining hall, you can reach out to us through your residence hall manager! Alternatively, you can also reach us through our Ask a Dietitian or contact form.