Catholic University of America
Not VerifiedWe currently have two made to order stations in our dining hall on a normal basis - our omelet and sandwich stations. Both stations have ingredient information available online or upon request in the dining hall. If we do any pop-ups or specials, ingredient information is always available upon request in the instance that the information is not available on the Dine on Campus app/website.
Our website and app display ingredients for all menu items. Students with food allergies or Celiac Disease are encouraged to speak with the ingredient expert (chef or manager) for verification. We can provide ingredient, recipe, and preparation information upon request to help students make informed decisions. There are ingredient experts in all locations all open hours to provide ingredient information upon request.
Yes, our team members are trained to take precautions in order to minimize the risk of cross contact in made to order areas. This includes proper hand washing, changing gloves and apron as well as cleaning and sanitation procedures.
Service areas for all stations are often wiped down and sanitized. All associates are trained on ways to minimize cross-contact at each station, including not overfilling pans, using separate utensils for each item, and placing dishes with allergens in the appropriate spots to minimize cross contact between dishes at respective stations. Students are able to request for associates to use clean utensils to serve their food and to serve food from the back (full pans not placed on line yet) if they wish.
Students have access to pre-made meals in the case that they go through Disability Support Services who then grants a meal plan accommodation recommending separately prepared meals. The selected accommodation is based on the overall picture of a student's needs along with the required proper medical documentation. If separately prepared meals are recommended for a student, students are not able to pre-order meals; instead they receive a set rotational four week menu tailored specifically to their allergies. This menu is loosely based off of the Delicious Without menu, giving these students a similar experience to other students eating on campus. There are separate preparation spaces and utensils used for these meals. Only trained head or sous chefs are permitted to make these meals and there are strict cleaning and sanitation procedures in place (along with washing hands, changing gloves). After meals are prepared, they are promptly covered, labeled (with a color-coded sticker specific to the student and their allergies), and wrapped in cellophane. If any risk of cross-contact occurs during preparation, the food is thrown out and re-made. Students are in close contact with the dietitian who oversees the menu and preparation of the food. If they have questions or requests
Our Delicious Without station does not use the top 9 allergens. We provide some dedicated equipment (such as steamer, hot box), and others we have a process for how to minimize cross-contact in equipment we must share (such as ovens). We also have an Avoiding Gluten station full of prepackaged gluten-free items such as breakfast items and baked goods. All associates who prepare and serve Delicious Without food have received FARE certified allergen and Celiac Disease training and must renew this annually. This station is not self-serve; staff are trained to plate the food on clean plates behind the line as they cannot accept plates from students. This station is monitored closely by the dietitian and executive chefs. There is a procedure in place to immediately throw out/pull from the line any food that may have cross-contact or contain allergens.
All managers must complete two online trainings annually: FARECheck Certified Food Allergy and Celiac Disease training & Allergen Management training. All hourly associates who handle Delicious Without food (preparation or service) must complete both above mentioned online allergy trainings as well. In addition, all hourly associates receive annual in-person allergy training at the beginning of each school year. Lastly, all hourly associates (regardless of whether they work with Delicious Without) receive monthly CHAT trainings that review different important topics related to food allergy education and safety. Areas of training include understanding food allergies, the top allergens, allergic reaction signs and symptoms, peanuts vs tree nuts, celiac disease and gluten intolerance, and mitigating risk for cross contact.
In residence life programs, much of the work is curriculum based and not focused on programs. Food is not commonly provided. However, if a student makes residence life aware of allergy needs, residence life will work with the student to accommodate those.
The DSS office on campus processes all accommodations, including those pertaining to housing. The housing application accommodation process is detailed on the DSS website, available at https://dss.catholic.edu/other-accommodations/housing-accommodations.html. The student must also fill out the traditional housing application, available at https://housing.catholic.edu/on-campus/forms/index.html.
From a roommate assignments standpoint, food allergies are not addressed since information is not collected about what allergies students have/do not have. However, housing works to match specific mutual roommate requests. Roommate agreements do not include specific guidance regarding food allergies, but this would be managed in the agreement if one of the students brought it up for discussion. Any conflict between students is managed by Residence Life. If the conflict cannot be resolved, a student may willingly request a room change.
The Disability Support Services fields all student requests regarding accommodations. This is the best department to contact for food allergy accommodation requests. If there are questions on navigating the dining hall or self-selecting, it is best to contact the campus dietitian who can connect the student with helpful resources. DSS will connect students to the campus dietitian when they see it is needed based on their recommended accommodations.
In the case of any on-campus emergencies, the Department of Public Safety is called. DPS assesses the situation and will call city emergency responders if needed. DPS also collaborates with University Health Services, who are professionals trained to administer epinephrine. In the case of an emergency, they are contacted since they are the only location with undesignated epinephrine on campus. DPS may also call city emergency responders, who would have undesignated epinephrine on hand and be trained to administer it. All managers and hourly dining staff are trained on how to recognize an allergic reaction and how to respond. Students are encouraged to carry their epi-pen with them on-campus.