Dining Services
Made-to-order items
Made-to-order items
[Yes, for all stations]
How are ingredients available?
Table: Ingredient Info Availability
Top 9 allergens, online database
[No]
Full ingredients, online database
[Yes]
Top 9 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Top 9 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Top 9 Allergens
Full Ingredients
Specific areas
We can provide ingredient, recipe and preparation information upon request to help students make informed decisions.
Additional Information
Our website, app, and menu boards display ingredients for menu items. Students with food allergies or Celiac Disease are encouraged to speak with the ingredient expert (manager or chef) for verification. We can provide ingredient, recipe, and preparation information upon request to help students make informed decisions.
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 9 allergens, online database
[No]
Full ingredients, online database
[Yes]
Top 9 allergens, a list is posted in the dining hall
[No]
Full ingredients, a list is posted in the dining hall
[Yes]
Top 9 allergens, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Full ingredients, available on request in the dining hall
[Yes]
Top 9 Allergens
Full Ingredients
Additional Information
We can provide ingredient, recipe, and preparation information upon request to help students make informed decisions.
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
Team members are trained to take precautions in order 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. Cross contact is always a possibility.
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
Self-serve areas are intentionally arranged such that high allergenicity foods are at the front of the serving well to minimize spillage into other food items. Counters are managed by front of house associates and wiped when any visible food residue exists. Students are also prompted to utilize new plates & designated utensils when self-serving. Additionally, all team members are required to complete food allergy and Celiac Disease training. Students can request food from back of the house.
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?
[No]
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
While we do not guarantee any food as being allergen "free", as much is made in an open, communal kitchen, we do offer allergen "friendly" options. Specifically, Delicious Without is a unique food station that is intended to provide menu options that are prepared without peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, eggs, milk, soy, sesame, wheat, or gluten. Our culinary team is dedicated to offering minimally processed, fresh meals made from single-source ingredients without hidden additives or seasonings. There are Delicious Without stations in both dining halls.
Food preparation for the Delicious Without menu is done within the dedicated station area. Color-coded kitchenware, from the serving tongs to storage containers, indicate exclusive use at the Delicious Without station, providing an extra line of assurance. A registered dietitian is also available for working one-on-one with students.
In addition to Delicious Without, our Avoiding Gluten program continuously alerts guests to products not containing gluten via menu board icons. The location’s Ingredient Expert is also available to answer guest inquiries.
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]
Who?
Managers
Chefs
Registered dietitian
Hourly staff
Student staff
How often?
At least once a year
Which course(s) are used?
FARECheck Certified course
What topics are covered?
- Define what food allergies are
- Identify the 8 major allergens
- Know the symptoms of a food allergic reaction
- Respond to a food allergy emergency
- Explain Compass Group’s Food Allergen Management Program and your responsibilities
- Explain celiac disease, gluten and their relationships
- Handle questions and requests from customers with food allergies and/or celiac disease
- Identify practices to reduce food allergen and gluten cross-contact in the kitchen
Additional information
Dining team members are trained on food allergies at least once a year. Trainings cover: understanding food allergies, the top allergens, allergic reaction signs and symptoms, peanuts and tree nuts, food allergy emergencies, Celiac Disease; gluten intolerance, and mitigating risk for cross contact.
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
[No]
9. We train our RA's.
Inclusive Residence Life Programs Including Food
Inclusive residence life programs involving food?
[No]
How can students access safe foods for residence life programs?
Residential Life offers programs within student housing halls. Food choices are typically snacks and exclude alternative options.
10. We have inclusive residence life programs* including food.
*Inclusive residence life programs - Programs in the resident halls often include food. Inclusive residence 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
[Not answered]
How does the school provide accommodations?
RoomSync, a cross-platform roommate matching solution, is utilized to assist students in the roommate selection process.
Does the housing office process requests?
No, another office on campus processes these requests (please specify)
Student Housing and Residential Life
Where can students get more information?
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?
Currently, the Justin Dart Common Jr. Student Accessibility Center uses an online database case-management system called Access Information Management (AIM). Students with disabilities can apply, register, and submit documentation to support disability claims, and either type in additional information or click on details about the accommodation request. If dietary concerns exist, students can indicate this and have the SAC to advocate for accommodations that may be needed. Regular communication with Auxiliary Services to discuss access issues is also a part of standard protocol.
How can students submit an accommodations request?
Please contact auxiliaryservices@uh.edu for questions or concerns.
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
Emergency Response
Stock, Undesignated Epinephrine Available for Emergency Response
Stock, undesignated epinephrine for emergencies
[No]
Additional information
While the UH police department does not carry prescription medications, officers are trained to assist with epinephrine auto-injection, if the guest has it available. In any medical response, the Houston Fire Department is also dispatched, and does carry epinephrine.
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
Additional information
911 brings city responders with epinephrine.
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 >
Contact Info
Dining Services Staff Contact
Susan Griffin, MS, RD, LD- Director of Wellness & Sustainability, Campus Dietitian
Disability Staff Contact