Creating Food Allergy-Aware Workplaces
This resource for employers and employees identifies basic rights and expectations related to food allergy, best practices that the whole office can participate in, and handy tips and assets.
Did you know 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. have food allergy?
Food allergy isn’t just a concern in schools or at restaurants—a food allergy reaction can happen anytime, anywhere, including at work.
Which moments do you think pose a challenge at work?
A) Sharing the office kitchen
B) Celebratory staff parties
C) Networking lunches and dinners
D) Travel for conferences
...Did you guess, E) All of the above? Because that's the right answer!
That’s why for all of May (Food Allergy Awareness Month), we’re asking people to bring food allergy awareness to their workplaces. FARE has compiled the resources to get you started.
Bring food allergy awareness into your office today!
Print out this flyer and share it with your workplace by putting it on a communal fridge or bulletin board.
Information for Employers
Get strategies to ensure a safe and comfortable working environment for your employees with food allergies.
Navigating the Office Kitchen
Many adults with food allergy prefer to bring their own lunches to work. Learn ways to avoid cross-contact in the office kitchen.
Avoiding Cross-Contact
More information on preventing cross-contact, which happens when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another.
First Steps for the Workplace
If you're an employee with food allergy, whether new to the workforce or just changing jobs, learn how to get started.
Workplace Lunches and Parties
Employees with food allergy don’t have to miss out on business lunches and celebrations. Learn ways to plan events that are fun and include everyone.
Meetings, Conferences and Business Trips
Explore ways to communicate about your food allergy and seek accommodations at meetings, conferences and other professional events.
Recognizing and Responding to Anaphylaxis
Hang this poster in a prominent place in the office, perhaps in the kitchen or adjacent to other materials about safety practices and emergency care.
Emergency Care Plan
If you're onboarding as an individual with food allergy, talk to your HR team about whether sharing an Emergency Care Plan is right for you.
Chef Card
Going out to eat with coworkers? Sharing a customizable "Chef Card" that communicates your allergens can help you feel secure, even in a crowd.
Visit the Food Allergy Academy
FARE's Food Allergy Academy offers resources to help make your workplace more food allergy-aware, including our "Save a Life: Recognizing and Responding to Anaphylaxis" training and webinars on "Food Allergy @ Work."
Companies in the food service and hospitality sectors, or that operate on-site cafeteria and dining options, should check out our FARECheck Training!
This project is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $375,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.