Food Allergies
Allergy Management Guide
Quick Guide & FAQ
Dining Locations
True Balance
Inside The Dish at Kleiner
Laker Food Co. works hard to ensure students have safe dining options. True Balance is an all-you-care-to-eat station that is allergen friendly and does not have any of the top 9 allergens, including wheat/gluten, soy, eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. This station has separate prep space, cooking equipment, dishwasher, and utensils to reduce the risk of cross contact. Our goal is to provide safe and healthy choices for students while on campus.
MyFresh Pantry
Inside Fresh Food Co. at Commons
MyFresh Pantry is located inside Fresh Food in Upper Level Commons. This self-served allergen station is stocked with specialty products including separate utensils, cutting boards, microwave, toaster, and a waffle iron. There are individually packaged food products to reduce cross-contact.
Allergen Icons
Wheat
Use caution or avoid restaurants where wheat or breaded foods are used on the menu. Refer to the Made Without Gluten guide online.
Egg
Eggs are present in many bakery items, mayonnaise, and some salad dressings. Students with an egg allergy are advised to avoid these and use caution with meatloaf, meatballs, and pasta.
Peanut
Peanut butter is served in some dining locations and found in some bakery selections. Take caution with bakery items and other areas within restaurants that may be serving peanuts. Fresh Food Co. does not include peanuts in menu items.
Tree Nut*
Tree nuts may be present in select bakery items. Take caution with bakery items that contain almonds, pecans, or hazelnut, and dishes containing pesto.
Shellfish*
Shellfish, including shrimp and imitation crab, are occasionally on the menu, most often on Fridays. Notify the employee preparing your meal of your food allergy so extra precautions can be taken.
Fish
Restaurants occasionally feature fish entrées, most often on Fridays. Students with this allergy should avoid these and other dishes which may contain fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, curry paste, or Caesar dressing.
Milk
Alternative milks are available at Fresh Food Co., The Dish, POD stores, and coffee shops. If you are unsure if an item contains milk products, please ask the manager for verification.
Soy
Tofu, soy sauce, and other soy-containing ingredients can be found in menu items. Soybean oil is present in the cooking and frying oil that Laker Food Co. uses. Studies have shown highly refined soy oil is safe to consume with a soy allergy, but if a medical professional has indicated a severe allergy, consider alternate options.
Sesame
Sesame may be used as a topping or for flavor and spice. Take caution with crackers, breads, burger buns, salads, cereal bars, and avoid items such as tahini and hummus.
*FDA no longer classifies coconut or mollusks (like clams, mussels, and oysters) as major allergens. That means manufacturers don’t have to list them as allergens, and our menus may not display coconut as a tree nut or mollusks as shellfish. These ingredients may still be used in some dishes, please ask if you have concerns.
For more nutrition icon info, visit the Vegan & Vegetarian page.
Questions
Please contact the Laker Food Co. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at gleastab@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-8989. Students with documented food allergies or Celiac disease are also encouraged to contact GVSU's Student Accessibility Resources, at access@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-2490.