Question 1

What is AllergEats?

Accepted Answer

AllergEats is a free web app that helps people with food allergies find safe restaurants and scan menus for their specific allergens — including peanuts, tree nuts, gluten/wheat, dairy/milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, soy, and sesame (all 9 FDA major allergens).

Question 2

How does AllergEats detect allergens in restaurant menus?

Accepted Answer

AllergEats uses a multi-layer detection engine that scans menu item names and descriptions for direct allergen terms, ingredient synonyms (like 'casein' for dairy), dish patterns (Alfredo contains dairy, Caesar dressing contains egg), cooking methods, and cross-contamination warnings such as shared fryers or preparation surfaces. Every menu item is scored as Safe, Ask Staff, or Avoid based on your personal allergen profile.

Question 3

Is AllergEats free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, AllergEats is completely free to use. Set your allergen profile, find nearby restaurants, and see which menu items are safe for you — no subscription, no credit card required.

Question 4

Which food allergies does AllergEats support?

Accepted Answer

AllergEats supports all 9 major FDA-recognized allergens: peanuts, tree nuts (almond, cashew, walnut, pecan, pistachio, etc.), milk and dairy, eggs, wheat and gluten, soy, fish, shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, etc.), and sesame. You can select any combination of allergens in your profile.

Question 5

Can parents use AllergEats to find safe restaurants for children with food allergies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AllergEats is designed for the whole family. Set your child's allergen profile and instantly see which local restaurants and menu items are safe for them. It works for kids with single allergies, multiple food allergies, and severe anaphylactic reactions — and flags cross-contamination risks that parents most need to know about.

Question 6

Does AllergEats work for celiac disease and gluten intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AllergEats detects wheat and gluten in menu items, including hidden sources like soy sauce, malt vinegar, barley, and spelt, and flags cross-contamination warnings from shared fryers or preparation surfaces. It works for both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).

Question 7

What restaurants does AllergEats cover?

Accepted Answer

AllergEats finds restaurants near your current location and includes major chains such as McDonald's, Chipotle, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, Burger King, and Taco Bell. You can also paste or upload any restaurant's menu text for instant allergen scanning.

Question 8

Does AllergEats help people with lactose intolerance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Select 'dairy' in your allergen profile and AllergEats will flag milk, cheese, butter, cream, yogurt, whey, casein, and other dairy derivatives across all menu items — helpful for both dairy allergies and lactose intolerance.

Question 9

Is there an AllergEats app for iPhone or Android?

Accepted Answer

AllergEats is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that works on any device including iPhone and Android. Visit allergeats.com in your mobile browser and add it to your home screen for an app-like experience — no download from the App Store required.