Visitas Dining with Special Dietary Needs - March 2023

View the recording of our Apri 24, 2023 session during Visitas with information about dining at Harvard with a special dietary need.

Disclaimer

Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) makes every effort to accommodate the various dietary requirements of our guests. We are committed to stringent food safety measures and to educating our employees about food allergies and intolerances. While we make every effort to avoid allergen cross-contact (e.g. washing hands and changing gloves between each task, using clean pans/utensils for each new menu item during prep, etc.), there is always the potential for cross-contact with other allergen-containing food items, particularly in our self-serve facilities. HUDS encourages guests to speak to the chef or manager regarding any questions about the ingredients contained in the food they are considering. For those with extreme allergen sensitivity, it is highly recommended to order meals in advance with the dining hall management team via email to ensure your meal is free of allergens. This procedure for accessing meals is commonly referred to as the “email method” and can be set up for you during your accommodation meeting.

What to expect         

Our goal at HUDS is to provide you with a safe dining experience that makes it as easy as possible for you to fully engage in the community experience around dining. If you have specific dietary needs and/or food allergies, you should:

1. Register with the Disability Access Office (DAO) at https://dao.fas.harvard.edu/
2. Attend a meeting with DAO, dining staff, and the HUDS registered dietitian to discuss a plan for you to equitably access dining hall options on campus.
3.  Stay connected with DAO and HUDS management and provide feedback during the process so we can develop the best possible system to meet your needs!

You can also email HUDS’ Registered Dietitian, Karen Jew, at karen_jew@harvard.edu with additional questions.

Menu Labeling

Our entire menu is online and we label every dish that contains multiple ingredients in the dining hall. The online menu features the entire ingredient list for a recipe. The labels in the dining halls feature an abbreviated list and include a notation on the bottom designating the top 8 allergens plus alcohol and pork.

HUDS makes every effort to label its food correctly. However, the number of meals served, and the number of items used, makes it impossible to guarantee the accuracy of its labeling. It is incumbent on every individual with specific dietary needs to make those needs known to their dining hall manager. Self-reporting ensures that all parties have access to the information necessary to keep you healthy and safe. It is also your responsibility to check in with your dining hall managers regarding any concerning ingredients. For further information, please speak with a member of the dining hall management team.