UBC Food Services does not have allergen-free facilities.
UBC Food Services is committed to accommodating students with allergies on the Residence Meal Plan.
While we do not have allergen-free facilities and cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment – there is always a risk of cross-contact, especially at self-serve stations – we work to minimize the risk of exposure, encourage self-responsibility, strive to provide the most up-to-date information and plan an effective response to possible emergencies.
Dining Safely with Allergies
UBC Food Services is committed to accommodating students with allergies on the Residence Meal Plan.
While we do not have allergen-free facilities and cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment – there is always a risk of cross-contact, especially at self-serve stations – we work to minimize the risk of exposure, encourage self-responsibility, strive to provide the most up-to-date information and plan an effective response to possible emergencies.
What You Can Do
A team approach, led by you, our educated customer, is the best preparation for a safe academic year free of allergic reactions. Take these steps throughout the year to ensure a safe dining experience:
Connect with our RDs
Connect with our Residence Dietitians to find safe, delicious and nutritious menu choices. They will also introduce you to your dining room manager and chef.
Carry ID
You will meet a lot of new people throughout the year and many will be unaware of your allergy. Medical identification, such as MedicAlert, can provide important information in an emergency.
Carry your EpiPen
Carry your EpiPen with you at all times. It is also recommended to carry a second EpiPen in case a second dose of epinephrine is needed in the event of an anaphylactic reaction.
Educate Others
Tell your Residence Advisor, roommates, floormates, teammates, friends, etc. about your allergy, how to recognize symptoms of a reaction, what to do, and where you keep your EpiPen.
Ask Before You Eat
Always tell your server about your allergy before ordering. Ingredients can vary at any given meal. If you have any questions about ingredients or preparation, ask to speak with a chef or manager before placing your order.
Plan Ahead
Living with food allergies means being prepared and staying safe. Before starting at UBC, review these tips for dining out from Food Allergy Canada for more suggestions to stay safe.
What We Do
UBC Food Services takes food allergies very seriously. We understand the importance of providing nutritious choices that meet your dietary needs. Together, we can create a safe and exceptional dining experience for you.
Allergen Labels
Most menu items in Open Kitchen are labelled with ingredients, priority allergens* and nutrition information. This information can be found on online.
It can be helpful to check for allergens online prior to arriving, but always let the cook or server know and verify allergens before you order, as ingredients can change with short notice.
Our online labeling lists allergens from “Contains” statements on ingredient lists but omit allergens from “May contain” statements because our dining rooms and kitchens may also contain these ingredients. “May contain” statements are optional for manufacturers to provide and therefore their inclusion on a label or not does not equate with risk to the food allergic customer.
*Priority allergens include milk, eggs, wheat, soy, sesame, mustard, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sulphites and gluten.
Staff Training
Open Kitchen is the best places for students with allergies to eat on campus, as the staff get more support and training than other locations. Our full-time Food Services staff are provided with allergy training upon hire and once every year following. Chefs, supervisors and management undergo mandatory allergy certification from AllerTrain™ to understand the seriousness of allergies, how to safely accommodate students and what to do in the event of an allergic reaction. If you have any questions, speak to a staff member wearing a purple Allergy Aware button.
Special Accommodations
Arrangements can be made if your dietary needs cannot be met with daily menu offerings.
Our dining room has a fridge in the supervisor’s office stocked with gluten-free bread and a few other items. This allows you to independently access gluten-free food items as well as a dedicated toaster, knife and cutting board in each office as needed. Please note that we do not recommend students with celiac disease live in a residence with a meal plan due to the limited capacity of UBC Food Services to fully accommodate these students.
Need Some Support?
Book an Appointment
Students in residence can meet with our Registered Dietitians to discuss food allergies, intolerance, nutrition-related medical conditions or general healthy eating.
Ask a Question
No time to meet up? Students in residence can email our Registered Dietitians with food or nutrition questions.
