We take food allergies and dietary needs seriously! If you have a food allergy or intolerance, food-related medical condition, follow a diet related to religious or cultural observance (ex. kosher or halal), a vegetarian or vegan diet, or other dietary needs; Hospitality Services have your back!
*Students with food allergies and other dietary needs are encouraged to eat at campus dining halls over retail locations. Ban Righ and Leonard dining halls offer a 'true balance' station with dedicated chefs on-site to assist with personalized dietary accommodations. Upon request, the Jean Royce Hall chefs can also provide customized meals and prepare 'true balance' recipes. All campus dining halls also provide students access to a self-serve Gluten-Free Friendly Pantry.
Food Allergy and Dietary Need Form
Fill out a Food Allergy and Dietary Need form to alert our Registered Dietitian and culinary team about your specific requirements. Our trained staff will support you in making safe and informed choices while dining on campus. Access the form through:
Registered Dietitian Services
The Registered Dietitian supports students on a Campus Meal Plan, provides education on safe and nutritious food options on campus, and liaises with the culinary team to help navigate the meal plan to suit your needs.
BOOK A CONFIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT!
If you are not on a meal plan and/or wish to access additional nutrition and wellness resources, there are many on and off-campus options.
Ask Before You Eat
Queen's Hospitality Services does not have certified allergen-free facilities. Still, we make every effort to take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure; however, the potential for cross-contamination remains and is at your own risk. Students with food allergies and celiac disease are advised to visit dining halls, where menu boards identify Health Canada priority allergen information; chefs are always accessible to review menu ingredients, and additional precautions for allergy-friendly meals are managed through the true balance station or custom-prepared meals.
Retail food locations present a high risk of allergen cross-contamination. Product selections and staffing availability are always subject to change, so if you eat in retail food locations, always 'Ask Before You Eat' and speak with a manager to determine if your dietary needs can be accommodated.
true balance
Meals in our true balance station at Ban Righ and Leonard dining halls are prepared in a designated kitchen area with products and ingredients that exclude ‘contains and may contain’ statements for milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, soy, mustard, sesame, and wheat/ gluten. Our chefs carefully prepare and serve flavourful recipes that eliminate compromising customer safety.
Upon request, the Jean Royce Hall chefs can provide customized meals and prepare true balance recipes.
A true balance EXPRESS to-go meal is available in the dining halls with each meal period. Remember to Ask Before You Eat.
Gluten-Free Friendly Pantry
All campus dining halls provide students with access to self-serve Gluten-Free Friendly Pantries designed for individuals with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance. The pantry offers a selection of gluten-free breads, cereals, oats, snack foods, a dedicated gluten-free toaster, and a small preparation area.
* With self-serve access, these areas are not restricted or monitored therefore cross-contamination with allergens may occur.
Plan Ahead
Planning safe food choices is important for those with allergies, celiac disease, or other food-related health conditions where cross contamination is of concern. These tips will help you dine with ease:
- Look for wellness icons on menus identifying common dietary needs or preferences (ie. vegan, halal, etc).
- Before arriving at the dining hall preview today’s menus to assess your options.
- If you have any questions or require a modification to a dish in the dining hall, call ahead (minimum 30 minutes in advance) and speak with a chef.
- Ban Righ – 613-533-6000 ext. 74567
- Leonard - 613-533-6000 ext. 74585
- Jean Royce – 613-533-6000 ext. 74991
Explore diverse menus across campus food locations.
Dietary Accommodations
The mandatory Residence Meal Plan is included in your residence room and board fees. We are committed to ensure there are options to support your individual dietary needs.
If you are a student with a food allergy, intolerance, food-related medical condition, or other dietary need and are struggling to find options that meet your needs, we are here to help.
Accommodations are individualized to students’ unique needs through consultation with the Registered Dietitian and culinary team. Students requesting accommodations must:
- Complete a Dietary Intake Form through the Student Residence and Dining Portal
- Book an appointment with the Registered Dietitian.
Please note, a Residence Health Accommodation form is separate from a meal plan accommodation and must be submitted separately.
Staff Training
All Queen's Hospitality Services food service staff undergo annual food safety and allergy training. Our chefs and management team are certified safe food handlers through TrainCan Inc. and are TrainCan/Food Allergy Canada-certified in managing safe food preparation for those with food allergies and celiac disease.
Severe Allergy and Risk of Anaphylaxis
If you have a severe allergy or are at risk of an anaphylactic reaction to food:
- Fill out the Food Allergy and Dietary Need Form available through the Student Residence & Dining Portal and ensure all information is kept up-to-date.
- You are encouraged to eat at Ban Righ, Leonard, and Jean Royce dining halls over retail locations, where chefs are available on-site to take additional precautionary steps to ensure your meal is prepared safely, with your dietary need in mind.
- Menus and ingredients are subject to change. Always review allergen information on menu boards before selecting a meal. These identify Health Canada priority allergens, including peanuts, tree nuts, mustard, milk, eggs, soy, sesame, wheat (gluten), fish, shellfish, and sulphites.
- Ask Before You Eat with each meal selection.
- Avoid self-serve areas and ask a chef to plate your meal with separate utensils.
- Cereals in dispensers change regularly. Bulk cereals present risk of cross-contamination. Ask a chef/manager for assistance.
- Trays are available, upon request, to those dining with severe allergies, concerns related to cross contamination and/or functional limitations associated with a disability or a health condition.
- Always carry a minimum of one valid Epinephrine Pen Injector (EPI) with you and review administration instructions with close friends, roommates, RLCs and Dons.
- Never consume foods that do not have allergen information displayed.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace to identify your allergies.
- Review the Queen's Severe Allergy Policy (PDF 141KB).
- Download the SeQure App for quick access to Campus Security and Emergency Services.
- Queen’s Emergency Report Centre , at 613-533-6111 is available 24/7 or use a nearby Blue Light Emergency Lift Phone.
Disclaimer
When ordering food, you are responsible for identifying as an individual with food allergies or other dietary concerns. You must be diligent about communicating your dietary needs when visiting any campus food service location.
Queen’s Hospitality Services takes a team approach to preparing foods safely. Our staff understands the severity of food allergies and makes every effort to identify ingredients and avoid cross-contamination that may cause adverse reactions.
Queen's Hospitality Services is not a certified allergen-free facility and therefore cannot guarantee menu items are free from any allergens or prevent the risk of cross contamination.
Remember to always Ask Before You Eat!