Eating Out with a Peanut Allergy: Ordering and Cross-Contact
Cross-contact in Chinese food is harder to avoid than you might think, so the way you communicate needs to be more specific.
Be specific when you communicate
- Say "I am allergic to peanuts and peanut products, including peanut oil", not just "I don't eat peanuts"
- Ask whether the dish uses peanut butter, crushed peanuts, satay sauce or mixed seasonings
- Check whether the wok, deep fryer, chopping board or grinder is shared with foods that contain peanuts
- Avoid buffet counters and bulk self-serve areas, to reduce cross-contact and taking the wrong food
Arrangements that lower the risk
Call ahead to explain the situation, and choose dishes with a simple cooking process; avoid peak dining hours so the kitchen can help; make sure the people you are with know where the emergency plan is kept and what steps to take; bring your own alternative snacks so you are not left hungry if you cannot eat. For takeaway, it is also best to write clear notes, and check that the packaging is intact during delivery.
If symptoms appear
Stop eating at once and watch your breathing; if you have a tight throat, difficulty breathing, hives all over the body, repeated vomiting or a change in alertness, call 120 (the emergency number in China) immediately and follow your emergency plan. Symptoms can also appear some time after a meal, so it helps to record what you ate and when, so you can discuss it with your doctor later.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If your symptoms affect daily life, please see a doctor.