Penn State University
VerifiedIngredient information is available for all made-to-order stations in our residential dining facilities. If not already available online, students can request ingredient information from a manager or contact our registered dietitians.
Salad Dressings, Sauces, Penn State Bakery items and Berkey Creamery ice cream stations will include labeling for the Top 8 allergens, sesame and gluten. Students can also request ingredient information for any self service areas by approaching a manager or contacting our registered dietitians.
Salad Dressings, Sauces, Penn State Bakery items, and Berkey Creamery ice cream stations will include labeling for the Top 9 allergens and gluten. Students can also request ingredient information for any self service areas by approaching a manager or contacting our registered dietitians.
Chefs, management and full-time dining employees have received training through AllerTrain by MenuTrinfo. Students are encouraged to disclose their allergy to the employee working at the station. Managing Chefs can prepare meal requests in the back of the house for students working with our registered dietitians. Penn State also offers the ability to request food from a "backup pan", or a pan of food not yet out for service to further minimize the cross-contact risk.
Dining staff make every effort to keep self service areas clean and maintained throughout meal service, but we cannot guarantee that any item is free from allergen cross-contact. Students can request items from backup product for any self serve areas in our residential dining facilities.
Students may "pre-order" a meal or menu item from the dining hall using our online form to alert staff of the food allergy and minimize the risk of cross contact in food prep. Each residential dining facility has a managing chef who can work with students on preparing safe, allergy-friendly menu selections. Students should contact foodallergies@psu.edu to learn more and sign up for this service.
Our allergy-friendly station is called Pure, and is located in East Food District (East Halls). Menu items are free of the Top 9 allergens and gluten. Note that coconut is allowed in this station. This station includes a completely separate kitchen for preparation and cooking, designated utensils, cookware, equipment and dishwashing capabilities. This space is staffed by AllerTrain certified staff members and is supervised by our mashgiach for kosher compliance and food allergen safety. The food is also kosher-certified and under supervision of a mashgiach with Star K, is produced on dedicated allergen-free equipment isolated from the main dining hall kitchen, and is served by employees (no self-service) to prevent cross-contact. Pure is closed during Jewish holidays, but food will be prepared in advance to closing, packaged and either sold in the campus market or offered in the main buffet area.
Food Allergies, Celiac Disease, Food Intolerances/Sensitivities, Signs & Symptoms, Anaphylaxis & Emergency Procedures, How to Administer Epinephrine, How to Prevent Cross Contact in both Front and Back of House, Label Reading, Cleaning and Sanitizing.
New full-time hires will receive training through AllerTrain by MenuTrinfo. All dining staff receive ongoing training and periodic reminders emphasizing the best practices in managing food allergies, Celiac Disease, and food intolerances in foodservice. Registered Dietitians are Certified Master Trainers (CMT) in AllerTrain by MenuTrinfo.
From the Student Disability Resources website, we refer prospective students and parents to Housing and Food Services for accomodations, see: http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/penn-state-resources. Student Disability Resources is available to assist students with accomodations in the classroom, including food labs.