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.
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.
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 should contact our registered dietitians to learn more about pre-order allergy meals. Each residential dining facility has a managing chef who can work with students on preparing safe, allergy-friendly menu selections.
Our allergy-friendly station is called Pure, and is located in East Food District (East Halls). Menu items are free of the Top 8 allergens, gluten and sesame- but coconut is allowed in the station. 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. All student employees will soon be required to take a food allergy course upon hire.
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.