University of Pennsylvania

Not Verified
Dining Services
Made-to-order items
Made-to-order items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 8 allergens, online database
[Yes]
Full ingredients, online database
[Yes]
Top 8 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Top 8 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]

 
Top 8 Allergens
Full Ingredients

Additional Information
  • We communicate about the eight* most common food allergens through quick-reference icons. Students can find these icons on our online menus and daily café signage.
    • *We are aware of the addition of sesame as a major allergen. Manufacturers have until January 2023 to comply with the new regulations; until that point, sesame can still be a hidden allergen not included in ingredient statements on packaged products. For this reason, we do not currently include sesame in our allergen labeling but will transition to include it as the manufacturers update labels. Sesame-allergic students should speak with our registered dietitian.
  • Our online menus will have all whole ingredients and sub-ingredients of house-made products listed for each menu item. We cook from scratch, using whole seasonal ingredients, so this strategy covers the vast majority of our menu items fully. 
  • Purchased sub ingredient information will not be listed online. This information will always be available within our café upon request. This allows us to provide the most up-to-date information to our guests in real-time.
  • We also utilize what we call “descriptive menu nomenclature.”  We make sure that the name of the dish, or its restaurant-style description — which are listed on our online menus and cafe

1. We provide access to ingredient information for made-to-order* items. *Made-to-order - Meals that are prepared on request and to your specification in the dining hall. Examples include a sandwich station, omelet station, burrito station, etc.

Self-Serve Items
Self-Serve Items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 8 allergens, online database
[Yes]
Full ingredients, online database
[Yes]
Top 8 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Top 8 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]

 
Top 8 Allergens
Full Ingredients

Additional Information
  • We communicate about the eight* most common food allergens through quick-reference icons. Students can find these icons on our online menus and daily café signage.
    • *We are aware of the addition of sesame as a major allergen. Manufacturers have until January 2023 to comply with the new regulations; until that point, sesame can still be a hidden allergen not included in ingredient statements on packaged products. For this reason, we do not currently include sesame in our allergen labeling but will transition to include it as the manufacturers update labels. Sesame-allergic students should speak with our registered dietitian.
  • Our online menus will have all whole ingredients and sub-ingredients of house-made products listed for each menu item. We cook from scratch, using whole seasonal ingredients, so this strategy covers the vast majority of our menu items fully. 
  • Purchased sub ingredient information will not be listed online. This information will always be available within our café upon request. This allows us to provide the most up-to-date information to our guests in real-time.
  • We also utilize what we call “descriptive menu nomenclature.”  We make sure that the name of the dish, or its restaurant-style description — which are listed on our online menus and cafe

2. We provide access to ingredient information for self-serve* items. *Self-serve - Meals that are served buffet-style in a dining hall. These are typically high risk for cross-contact and are best avoided by diners with food allergies.

Made-To-Order Areas
Made-to-order areas
[Yes, in all stations]
Additional information
  • All food is prepared in open kitchens that handle the major allergens; however, we take precautions to minimize accidental cross-contact.
  • Enhanced protocols are followed at the SimplyOASIS Stations located in are two largest Residential dining cafés (1920 Commons and Hill House) which are dedicated to serving guests' special dietary needs.
  • The SimplyOASIS station features meals that celebrate fresh and simple single ingredients while avoiding all of the Major 8 Allergens + gluten and sesame*. 
    • *Sesame is now the 9th major allergen. However, manufacturers have until 1/2023 to update package labels. Our platform will exclude added sesame in the form of seeds, tahini (sesame paste), and sesame oil, but sources of sesame may not be detectable on package labels. Please speak with a manager if you have a sesame allergy.
  • We have developed very specific and flavorful recipes built upon singular ingredients that are typically safe for food-allergic people. The SimplyOASIS station is a convenient choice — but not the only choice — for those with allergies to any of the major 8 food allergens and those choosing to avoid gluten.

3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.

Self-Serve Areas
Self-Serve Areas
[Yes, in all areas]
Additional Information
  • All food is prepared in open kitchens that handle the major allergens; however, we take precautions to minimize accidental cross-contact.
  • Self-serve foods are placed to minimize drips and spills into neighboring vessels.
  • Students can request ingredients and supplies that have not been out for service to reduce the risk of accidental cross-contact in self-serve areas.

4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.

Pre-Order Meals
Do students have access to pre-order meals free from their allergens?
[Yes]
Additional information
  • We are committed to working with all students to make reasonable accommodations to meet their dietary needs.
  • Students can order special meals after meeting with our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who can help connect the student with the appropriate chef(s) depending on which café they will be visiting. 
  • From there, students commonly review the menu online and ask any specific questions about ingredients ahead of time. A student can email questions to the chefs with reasonable time for response, indicating any special prep necessary, and informing the chefs of their expected arrival time for that meal. The chefs will then coordinate with the student to determine what is available and, if needed, create a modified menu for that specific meal period. 

5. We have pre-order meals* available. *Pre-order meals - Custom meals that can be ordered in advance by a diner so they are ready for pick up at a specific time. Typically these can be ordered online or by phone/text.

Allergy-Friendly Station
Do students have access to an allergy-friendly station(s) that is free from specific allergens?
[Yes]
What is the station free from?
Peanut
Tree nut
Fish
Shellfish
Eggs
Wheat
Soy
Milk
Gluten
Sesame
Additional Information
  • Enhanced protocols are followed at the SimplyOASIS Stations located in are two largest All-You-Care-To-Eat dining cafés (1920 Commons and Hill House) which are dedicated to serving guests' special dietary needs.
  • The SimplyOASIS station features meals that celebrate fresh and simple single ingredients while avoiding all of the Major 8 Allergens + gluten and sesame*. 
    • *Sesame is now the 9th major allergen. However, manufacturers have until 1/2023 to update package labels. Our platform will exclude added sesame in the form of seeds, tahini (sesame paste), and sesame oil, but sources of sesame may not be detectable on package labels. Please speak with a manager if you have a sesame allergy.
  • We have developed very specific and flavorful recipes built upon singular ingredients that are typically safe for food-allergic people. The SimplyOASIS station is a convenient choice — but not the only choice — for those with allergies to any of the major 8 food allergens and those choosing to avoid gluten.

 

  • Additionally, within all of our Residential dining cafés, we do not use peanuts or tree nuts, but do include coconut, as ingredients in the preparation of the menu items; however, products may change without our knowledge. 
  • We cannot guarantee these allergens have not been

6. We have an allergy-friendly station*. *Allergy-friendly station - A food station where specific ingredients are banned, typically including many or all items in the Top 8 allergens and gluten.

Dining Services Staff Member Trained?
Dining services staff trained?
[Yes, all staff]
How often?
At least once a year
All managers and chefs complete the manager-level FARE certified training annually even if the location is not fully FAREcheck certified. All hourly staff, including new hires, receive formal food allergen awareness training twice annually.
Which course(s) are used?
FARECheck Certified course
We developed our own food allergy training.
Additional information
  • Managers and chefs receive a FARE reviewed food allergy training annually
  • Hourly associates are trained two times per year
  • Additionally, we re-train employees utilizing a continuous education approach by discussing special dietary needs in our day-to-day activities as well as at our daily pre-shift meetings in each café.

7. We train dining services staff members.

Registered Dietitian on Staff?
Do you have a registered dietitian on staff?
[Yes]

8. We have a registered dietitian* on staff. *Registered dietitian - Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts who are often tasked with helping students with food allergies navigate the dining halls.

Campus Life & Disabilities
RAs Trained
RA’s trained
[Yes]
What training?
University-developed training
What topics are covered?
  • We train our RAs about what resources are available to students who have special medical needs such as allergies and to make appropriate referrals. 

9. We train our RA's.

Inclusive Resident Life Programs Including Food
Inclusive resident life programs involving food?
[Yes]

10. We have inclusive resident life programs* including food. *Inclusive resident life programs - Programs in the resident halls often include food. Inclusive resident life programs will offer students with food allergies the opportunity to request safe food alternatives for events they attend in the dorms.

Accommodations for Roommate Assignments
ROLLUP - Accommodations for roommate assignments
 
Does the housing office process requests?
No, another office on campus processes these requests (please specify)
Where can students get more information?
Additional information
  • Disabilities Services and Residential Services work closely together to review requests and identify appropriate and available housing. Utilizing the information provided on the Housing Accommodation Request Form and documentation provided by the medical provider, a determination will be made on whether and the extent to which accommodation can be provided. Diagnosis alone does not automatically qualify a student for the specific type of accommodations requested on the housing application. Depending on room availability, Residential Services will provide reasonable accommodation, but cannot guarantee that your room preferences will be met beyond those required by the approved need.

11. We offer accommodations for roommate assignments. *Every accommodation request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A housing accommodation cannot be guaranteed prior to an individual evaluation.

Disability Services Office Processes Food Allergy and Celiac Disease Accommodation Requests
Disability services office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests
[Yes]
Other departments a student should contact?
  • If making a dining request, please also contact dining 
  • If making a housing request, please also contact housing

 

 

 

12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.

Health Services
What health services are offered?
Food allergy management care
Prescriptions for epinephrine
Allergy testing and diagnosis
Seasonal allergy shots
We have an allergy clinic on campus
*sometimes order some allergy testing – but not extensively

See what health services we offer >

Emergency Response
Stock, Undesignated Epinephrine Available for Emergency Response
Stock, undesignated epinephrine for emergencies
[No]
Additional information
  • In the Commonwealth of PA, you must be a paramedic to administer epinephrine.
  • Campus police and MERT are trained to recognize anaphylaxis and call emergency responders to respond.

13. We have stock, undesignated epinephrine* available for emergency response. *Stock, undesignated epinephrine - Epinephrine that is prescribed to a college or university rather than to a particular student. This epinephrine is kept on hand to use for any student that experiences anaphylaxis.

Campus Emergency Responders Carry Epinephrine
Campus emergency responders carry epinephrine
[No]
Who are the emergency responders?
On-campus emergency responders
City emergency responders

14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.

Emergency Response Policy
What does the policy allow for?
Staff is trained to recognize anaphylaxis and call emergency responders

See what our emergency response policy allows for >

Last updated on:
February 9, 2022
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