If you have a severe nut allergy, the difference between a safe meal and a life-threatening incident can come down to how you communicate and how the staff responds. Use clear, non-negotiable language, ask targeted questions, and expect staff to check ingredients and involve a manager or cook. Below are short scripts, exact questions, examples of acceptable answers, red flags, and pickup/delivery precautions.
What to say: short scripts
Keep language direct and explicit. Replace the word "allergy" with "severe nut allergy" so staff understand the risk. Say one of the following, depending on the situation:
- In person or on the phone: "I have a severe nut allergy. If I eat any peanut or tree nut protein or eat food that touched nuts, I can have a life-threatening reaction. Can you confirm the exact ingredients and how it will be prepared? I need staff to check with the kitchen."
- Ordering online or in app notes: "Severe nut allergy — do not use any peanuts/tree nuts or shared equipment/utensils that touch nuts. Please call me if this cannot be guaranteed."
- If offered a substitute: "Please have the manager or chef confirm that the substitute is free from peanuts/tree nuts and cross-contact; do not assume it's safe."
Questions to ask
- "Does this recipe contain peanuts or any tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)?"
- "Is this sauce, oil, or garnish made in-house or from a packaged supplier? Can you read the ingredient list?"
- "Do you use shared fryers, cutting boards, or equipment for items that contain nuts?"
- "Can the kitchen prepare my order on a clean station with clean gloves and separate utensils?"
- "Can you write 'severe nut allergy' on the ticket and have a manager/chef confirm before cooking?"
What a responsible answer should sound like
Staff should be calm, clear, and honest. Good responses include statements like:
- "I understand you have a severe nut allergy — let me get the manager/chef to confirm ingredients and the prep plan."
- "This item does not contain nuts; we'll prepare it on a clean station and use fresh gloves/utensils and cookware."
- "These sauce/ingredient labels say: [reads ingredient list]. There is no peanut/tree nut listed."
- "We do use nuts in other dishes; we will prevent cross-contact by [describing the exact step: changing gloves, using a separate pan, cleaning the surface]."
- "If we can't guarantee no cross-contact we will recommend an alternative or cancel the dish."
Key behavior: staff should offer to check, involve someone who knows the kitchen, and be willing to mark the order so the kitchen takes extra precautions.
Red flags — answers that are not acceptable
- Dismissive replies such as "That's not a problem" without checking ingredients or kitchen practices.
- Refusal to involve the manager/chef or to check ingredient lists when asked.
- Vague assurances like "probably" or "we don't usually use nuts" without specifics on cross-contact.
- Insisting they cannot accommodate but offering no safe alternative; if they say they "can't guarantee," they should at least suggest a safe replacement or cancel the item.
Pickup and delivery — extra steps
For pickup, ask that the ticket be marked clearly with "severe nut allergy" and request sealed packaging. For delivery, put the allergy note in the app and call the restaurant to confirm. Ask the driver not to open containers or set food on surfaces that may be contaminated. If an app forces you to choose an item with a visible nut topping, cancel and reorder with explicit instructions.
For medical advice about managing your allergy, consult your physician or allergist.
Final note
Clear words and specific questions get better answers. If staff respond correctly—by acknowledging severity, checking ingredient lists, involving the kitchen, and describing concrete steps to avoid cross-contact—you can make a safer choice. If they dodge or guess, walk away and choose somewhere that takes the risk seriously.