I am so angry....a vent

[zjandosmom]

My mom took us out to lunch at our local eatery. Ds3, the one with allergies, really needed some protein. I asked our server to please check and see if their turkey bacon contained any soy. She left and came back saying that 'no' it did not have any soy in it. My son had 2 orders! Later that evening my dh and I were commenting on the fact that he was acting like he had had some dairy or soy. I called the restaurant and made them read me the ingredients on their bacon package and shock of all shocks ...soy lecithin. : Steaming mad. Now my child has to work through the stomach issues and behavioral issues until it runs its course. I am NOT kidding food server lady when I tell you my kid has allergies. And yes, I did complain to the manager. Ugh

(upside, I now know he cannot have soy lecithin).

[changingseasons]

Ugh- that sucks. I think we have all been there! Last time I went out to eat (the ONE time in the past 6 months), I very clearly stated that we had a dairy & soy allergy (those were the only things I had eliminated at that point), and what comes out on my plate as a garnish? Slice of tomato with mozzarella cheese melted on top. :

[mommydancer]

Oh, you mean soy lecithin has SOY in it?::

What part of "no soy" was confusing?

At this point, I won't allow either of us to eat anything if I can't personally read the box/ label myself. Sorry this happened to you.

[lil_miss_understood]

I'm sorry you (and your son) are going through this. I always feel so livid when I hear these stories.

[JustJamie]

I hope the manager really gets through to the servers. What if your DS had needed hospitalization, or worse, died? People need to take allergies WAY more seriously than they do.

[zjandosmom]

Thank you for feeling my outrage! I knew you Ladies would understand. I am so thankful he does't have life-threatening reactions. I hope the manager understands they got off easy with me. We pretty much can't go out to eat it's just too difficult and it is hard on O as he's not 100% used to his 'new' diet. I am just so happy to know he truly does have this allergy and to eliminate dairy and soy, while difficult, makes such a difference. I wish I had known earlier but we know now and that's what counts.

thanks again for your support,
k

[menomena]

This happened to me three weeks ago.

We asked what the fries were cooked it. He left and came back: "vegetable oil". I asked him to find out *which* vegetable oil. He left and came back: "canola oil." Fine, good, we ordered the fries. By the end of the meal she had hivey welts up and down her arms and she was acting like a monkey on crack. Later (when I wasn't rubbing her down with lotion or physically restraining her from jumping off our second story deck) I called the manager - yep, soybean oil. : The managed was appropriately apologetic and said he'd send me a coupon for free meals for my family. Yeah going on four weeks later and no coupons... We're never going back and we're writing a letter to the OWNER.

[4Blessings]

Make sure you print up a "Chef Card" for your child on bright paper. Laminate it. Keep it in your purse.

Never ask does this have "xyz". Ask what the specific ingredients are in the item you are considering. Ask to see the package.


Talk to a manager before placing the order. "Can you accommodate my child's food allergies?". Show him/her the chef card.

For the poster who mentioned fried foods. Those with multiple food allergies need to ask if the fryer is dedicated. No other foods containing their allergens should be fried in that fryer.

If the staff sees you talking things ultra seriously they are more likely to do the same.

[Astromom]

It is so very frustrating.

[Handsomesmomma]

I am so sorry. That's why I only eat food I make. I am so paranoid now that even when I ask I assume they are not truthful