Experiences of Food Allergy Sufferers with College and University Dining Services

Introduction: Food allergy is a response of the immune system to proteins in a food item and affects 2 to 4% of adults and approximately 2.3% of teenagers in the United States. The eight major food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, soy, fish and wheat and are responsible for 90% of the allergic reactions. An allergic reaction includes rashes, hives, tingling sensations, trouble breathing, anaphylactic shock and even death. It was found that 16 out of 63 food allergy fatalities happened to college-aged students with 50% of the fatalities happening on college campuses.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the experiences of food allergic students with college and university dining services.

Methods: A 47-item survey was posted on the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) and Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Teen (FAAN Teen) Facebook pages in addition to distribution via email to students at two major universities in Midwestern United States. The questionnaire explored general perceptions about food allergy accommodations at their college/university, respondents’ comfort levels with dining at college/university foodservice establishments, in addition to demographic information. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0, and descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results: Results indicate that college and university students suffering from food allergies are satisfied with the accommodations provided by college and university dining services. However, there is a need for educating foodservice workers about proper handling of allergen-containing foods, distinguishing between food allergies and food intolerances, and providing easy to read food allergen information at dining establishments.

Significance: Outcomes from this study will help identify the needs of food allergic students and improve college and university dining foodservice operations to avoid incidents of allergic reactions or anaphylaxis.