We can provide ingredient, recipe and preparation information upon request to help students make informed decisions.
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.
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.
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.
3. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in made-to-order areas.
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.
4. We have procedures in place to lower the risk of cross-contact in self-serve areas.
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. Star Ship and Boost are two services wherein students can order ahead & either pick up at a convenient time or have shipped to them. Additionally, the Farmer’s Fridge, located in the Student Center South, is stocked with ready-made salads, grain bowls, and more; all available on demand.
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.
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.
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. Delicious Without staff are also trained in food allergen awareness and we encourage guests to discuss specific menu items, dietary restrictions, or other questions at time of service. 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.
- 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
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.
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.
9. We train our RA's.
Residential Life offers programs within student housing halls. Food choices are typically snacks and exclude alternative options.
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.
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.
Currently, the Student Accessibility Center (SAC) 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 help to advocate for accommodations that may be needed. Regular communication with Auxiliary Services to discuss access issues is also a part of standard protocol.
Please contact auxiliaryservices@uh.edu for questions or concerns.
12. Our disability office processes food allergy and celiac disease accommodation requests.
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.
14. Our campus emergency responders carry epinephrine.
See what our emergency response policy allows for >