All of them
At UMass, all our food items are labeled with menu identifiers. These menu identifiers include the following information: name of the food item, ingredients, nutrition fact information per serving, allergens (the Top 8 plus corn and sesame), and dietary preferences. We want to be transparent with our labeling because we believe in providing healthy, nutritious, and safe meals to students. All information is also available in our UMass Dining app and website.
Menu identifiers are listed for all ingredients separately. Ingredients and allergens are available on each item.
We always encourage students to ask for the management staff if they have any questions or concerns. All ingredient information is also available on the UMass Dining app and website.
Staff has been trained to follow standardized recipes, not add any ingredients into the recipe and use clean and sanitized working area with new pans and utensils. If students would like a menu item from the serving line but it is next to an items with allergens the student should avoid, the student can request the desired menu item from the kitchen as it is less likely to have cross contact. The student can ask for a manager or supervisor to get a food item from the kitchen safe from cross contact.
If students would like a menu item from the serving line but it is next to an items with allergens the student should avoid, the student can request the desired menu item from the kitchen as it will be free from cross contact.
Diners with severe food allergies can meet with one of our registered dietitians to create a profile on our UMass SAFE app which allows students with food allergies to have safe food options. In the app students must order their meal the day before and can indicate time and location of meal pick up. The app provides contact information for the student to be in direct contact with dining staff in case of any changes (order change, rescheduling, cancellations, etc). Communication between the student and staff is key so the student gets fresh, safe food.
Located in Worcester Dining Hall, we have a gluten-free, nut-free and vegetarian station called Seasons. At this station it is required for all diners to have a new clean plate reducing the risk of cross contact. In addition we have two gluten-free designated stations at Franklin and Hampshire Dining Hall. We also have a Vegan station at Franklin Dining Hall.
Food Allergy 101 (allergens, symptoms, recognizing reactions/anaphylaxis), preventing cross contact in the kitchen, on the serving line and in the dining rooms.
Management staff checks the recipes with station champions to ensure the recipe was followed and no substitutions were made. If substitutions were made, staff reviews ingredients and alters menu identifier so it is important to check the menu identifiers at the station getting food as it may be slightly different if alterations are made. Menu identifiers are printed within 24 hours of being served and adjusted just before the meal if alterations made.
Student should indicate any allergies or special dietary needs prior to the beginning of the program to resident assistants/director.
Disability Services is the only department a student with a disability would provide documentation of a disability to. Disability Service’s role is to inform, at the request of the student, any office, department or instructor, if accommodations are needed. Disability Services does not disclose the student’s disability, only their eligibility for accommodation.
Students in need of accommodations should register with Disability Services by providing an intake form and their diagnostic documentation. The intake form is online at https://www.umass.edu/disability/students/student-intake-form which provides "food allergies" as a disability a student can check off. Documentation can be emailed to notify@admin.umass.edu, mailed to the address (Disability Services, 161 Whitmore Administration Building, 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003-9313) or faxed to 413-577-0122. Additional information regarding documentation can be accessed at https://www.umass.edu/disability/resources/documentation-eligibility. Once a student has submitted their materials, they will receive an email (at their UMass email address) stating their status. Assuming they are eligible, they will be encouraged to contact their Consumer Manager (CM) listed in the email to schedule an appointment. At that meeting, accommodation eligibility will be discussed and accommodation notifications will be sent out to the appropriate parties.
Disability Services encourages students to communicate with us early - soon after getting admitted to the University, or following a new diagnosis. Many new students schedule initial appointments around their summer orientation session or at the start of the academic year. We also invite students to contact Disability Services to receive advice and guidance around accommodations and campus access, at any time. In Higher Education, unlike K-12, it is the student’s responsibility to seek assistance and to self-advocate. Disability Services has no way of knowing if a student has a disability until the student contacts them to register for services. We advise all students with disabilities to register with us, regardless of current accommodation need. It is easier for a student to receive timely assistance if they are already registered, than to start from scratch, when a problem occurs.
A few epinephrine is available on hand in case of an emergency in the acute care area, as well as the Allergy Services room and in the clinic areas of University Health Services.
Students must carry the prescription on them at all times while on campus. UMass Dining Staff does not administer epinepherine to students but they can assist student in finding the medication in their bag only.
Amherst Paramedics stocks and administers epinephrine.
On campus responders (UMass Police) stock and administer epinephrine.
EMTs on campus do stock and administer epinephrine but only at campus events they are hired for.
The EMTs are allowed to administer EpiPens however they are only hired for events on campus.
UMass Police Department stock and administer epinephrine.