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Everyday situations

How to explain a food allergy in English

A2

Telling the waiter, checking the ingredients, getting help in an emergency: the phrases that keep you safe at a restaurant, on a plane or at the chemist's.

This page for:

Quick answer

Three phrases to learn: I'm allergic to … to tell people, Does this contain …? to check, and I have a severe allergy, I carry an EpiPen for a serious allergy. The preposition is to, never of. Always tell the waiter when you order.

Telling people about an allergy is one situation where a small mistake can put your health at risk. One wrong word or one missing word, and the allergen ends up on your plate. The good news: the UK and the US take allergy awareness very seriously. In the UK, restaurants must be able to tell you about 14 main allergens, and in the US, food labels must show 9 major allergens. Most menus show them with small symbols. A common mistake: the preposition is always to (allergic to, never allergic of). Also, clear words (severe allergy, anaphylactic shock) make the restaurant take extra care. Always tell the waiter when you order, not after, and say how serious it is (mild, severe, life-threatening).

Step by step

Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.

1. Telling the waiter about your allergy

Tell them as soon as you sit down, even before you look at the menu if the allergy is severe.

  • You

    I'm allergic to peanuts.

    → I'm allergic to + noun: you always need to.
    or

    I have a severe peanut allergy.

    or

    I have a severe allergy, and I carry an EpiPen.

    or

    I have a life-threatening allergy to shellfish.

    → Life-threatening means it could kill you: the restaurant will take extra care.
  • You

    Could you let the kitchen know?

    Formal
  • Other person

    Of course. Do you have any other allergies or dietary requirements?

  • You

    I'm coeliac, so I can't have any gluten.

    UK
    or

    I'm celiac, so no gluten at all.

    US
    or

    I'm lactose intolerant.

    → An intolerance is not an allergy: it is less serious, but tell them too.
    or

    I can't eat anything with nuts.

  • Other person

    Thank you, I'll make a note of that.

2. Checking what is in a dish

Before you order, check the ingredients, the sauces and any traces.

  • You

    Does this contain nuts?

    or

    Does the sauce contain dairy?

    or

    Is there any wheat in this?

    or

    What's in the dressing?

    or

    Is this gluten-free?

  • Other person

    I'm not sure about that one.

  • You

    Could you check with the chef?

  • Other person

    I'm afraid this dish contains nuts.

    or

    I've checked with the chef. It's nut-free.

  • You

    Could there be any cross-contamination?

    → The key question if your allergy is severe.
    or

    Is the kitchen nut-free?

  • Other person

    We handle nuts in the kitchen, so there is a small risk.

3. Asking for a change to a dish

You can ask for changes to a dish. The restaurant can often adapt it if you tell them in time.

  • You

    Could you make it without the cheese?

    or

    Could you use olive oil instead of butter?

  • Other person

    Yes, of course. I'll ask the kitchen.

    or

    I'm sorry, we can't change that dish.

    → Another possible answer: they say no, so you choose another dish.
  • You

    Is the bread gluten-free?

  • Other person

    Let me check. Yes, we have a gluten-free option.

  • You

    What can you do for someone with a dairy allergy?

    or

    Could you recommend a dish that's safe for me?

  • Other person

    I can adjust the salad to remove the cheese.

  • You

    Could you prepare it separately?

  • Other person

    We can prepare it on a clean surface.

    or

    I'm sorry, we can't guarantee it's allergen-free.

4. If you are not sure: reading the label or asking for the allergen menu

In the UK, restaurants must give allergen information. In the US, ask for it: it is often written down.

  • You

    Do you have an allergen menu?

    or

    Could I see the ingredient list?

  • Other person

    Of course, I'll bring it over.

  • You

    What are the 14 allergens listed?

    UK→ In the UK, the law says 14 allergens must be shown.
  • Other person

    Cereals containing gluten, eggs, milk, nuts, peanuts and fish are some of them.

    UK
  • You

    Could you check the packet?

    or

    I need to read the label first.

  • Other person

    It may contain traces of nuts.

    → A common warning on packets. Take it seriously if your allergy is severe.
  • You

    Then I'll skip that one, thank you.

5. On a plane or other transport

With a severe allergy, you may need to tell the airline before you travel.

  • You

    I notified the airline of my allergy when I booked.

  • Other person

    Thank you. We have it noted on your booking.

  • You

    Are nuts served on this flight?

  • Other person

    Not by us, but other passengers may bring their own snacks.

  • You

    Could you make an announcement?

    → Some airlines will ask passengers not to open their own nuts.
  • Other person

    Of course. I'll let the cabin crew know.

  • You

    I have my EpiPen with me.

  • Other person

    Good. Please keep it within reach.

  • You

    Is there a special meal option?

    or

    I ordered a gluten-free meal in advance.

  • Other person

    Let me check the list for you.

6. An allergic reaction: an emergency

Signs, the EpiPen, calling for help: words you really need to know.

  • You

    I think I'm having an allergic reaction.

    or

    Call an ambulance, I'm having anaphylaxis.

  • Other person

    Stay calm. What are your symptoms?

  • You

    My throat is closing up.

    → A sign of anaphylaxis: a real emergency.
    or

    I can't breathe properly.

    or

    I broke out in hives after eating.

    or

    I feel my face swelling.

  • Other person

    Do you have an EpiPen with you?

  • You

    I need my EpiPen!

  • Other person

    I'm calling an ambulance now.

  • You

    Where's the nearest hospital?

  • Other person

    It's about ten minutes from here.

Useful vocabulary

Main allergens

  • nuts (peanuts, tree nuts)hard seeds like almonds and peanuts
  • dairy / milkmilk and food made from it
  • eggslaid by hens, used in cakes
  • wheat / glutena grain for bread, and its protein
  • shellfish / seafoodprawns, crabs, mussels and similar
  • fishsalmon, tuna, cod and similar
  • soy / soyaa bean used for tofu
  • sesamesmall seeds used on bread

Types of reaction

  • an allergywhen your body reacts badly to something
  • an intolerancewhen your body digests a food badly
  • a mild allergya small reaction, not serious
  • a severe allergya very serious reaction
  • a life-threatening allergya reaction that could kill you
  • anaphylaxis / anaphylactic shocka very dangerous, sudden allergic reaction
  • hives / a rashred, itchy spots on the skin
  • swellingwhen a part of the body gets bigger

Emergency medicine

  • an EpiPen / an adrenaline penan injection pen for allergy emergencies
  • an antihistaminea medicine for mild allergy symptoms
  • an inhalera small device to help you breathe
  • a medical braceleta band that shows your health problem
  • emergency contacta person to call if needed
  • a doctor's notea letter from your doctor

Words on labels

  • containshas this inside it
  • may contain traces ofcould have tiny amounts of
  • allergensomething that causes an allergy
  • gluten-freemade with no wheat protein
  • dairy-free / lactose-freewith no milk or milk sugar
  • nut-freemade with no almonds, peanuts, etc.
  • veganwith no animal products
  • cross-contaminationallergens getting into food by accident

UK vs US: what changes

You want to say…UKUS
An illness: no gluten at allCoeliacCeliac
Hard-shelled foods like almondsNuts (peanuts + tree nuts)Nuts (peanuts + tree nuts)
Prawns, crabs, mussels and similarShellfish / seafoodShellfish / seafood
Emergency injection for allergiesEpiPen / adrenaline penEpiPen / epinephrine auto-injector
A bean used for tofu and saucesSoyaSoy
What labels must list by law14 allergens (2014 law)9 major allergens (FALCPA + FASTER Act)

Common mistakes to avoid

1. I'm allergic of ❌

The preposition is to, never of. ✓ I'm allergic to peanuts. ✓ I have an allergy to peanuts. ✗ I'm allergic of / I have an allergy of. It is a common mistake, and if your sentence is unclear, people may think it is only an intolerance. Say it correctly.

2. Allergy or intolerance?

An allergy is a reaction of your immune system (your body's defence system). It can be very serious (anaphylaxis). An intolerance means your body digests a food badly: it is uncomfortable, but not dangerous to life. Restaurants take an allergy more seriously. If it is an intolerance, don't say I'm allergic to lactose: say I'm lactose intolerant.

3. Nuts is not clear enough

In English, nuts covers two groups: peanuts (which grow in the ground) and tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and others). If you are allergic to both: I'm allergic to all nuts, including peanuts. If only to peanuts: I'm allergic to peanuts only. This difference matters to doctors and to cooks.

4. Forgetting about cross-contamination

A gluten-free dish made in a kitchen that uses gluten can pick up tiny traces. For a severe allergy, ask clearly: Could there be any cross-contamination? The restaurant can then prepare your food on a separate surface. If you don't ask, you may get a “gluten-free” dish that contains traces.

5. I don't like ≠ I'm allergic to

NEVER say you are allergic to a food just because you don't like it. It is a false alarm: it slows down the kitchen, and staff may take real allergies less seriously. If you don't like coriander: I don't like coriander, could you leave it out? (in the US, it is cilantro). If you really are allergic: I'm allergic to coriander. It is a question of honesty, and also of safety.

Practice quiz

Question 1 / 4The Big Challenge question bank

You want to tell the waiter about your peanut allergy. What do you say?

Related pages: Food allergies

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say you are allergic to something in English?+

Say I'm allergic to + the food (always to, never of). You can also say I have an allergy to + food. To say how serious it is: I have a mild / severe / life-threatening allergy to + food. Tell the waiter at the start of your order, even before you look at the menu.

What is the difference between nuts, peanuts and tree nuts?+

In English, nuts covers two groups that doctors treat as different. Peanuts grow in the ground (they are legumes, like peas). Tree nuts grow on trees: walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and others. If you are allergic to both: I'm allergic to all nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts. If you are allergic to only one group, say which one.

What does gluten-free mean?+

Gluten-free means with no gluten (a protein found in wheat). Other labels: dairy-free (with no milk products), lactose-free (with no lactose, the sugar in milk), nut-free (with no nuts), wheat-free (with no wheat), sugar-free (with no sugar) and vegan (with no animal products at all). The illness that stops people eating gluten is coeliac disease (UK) or celiac disease (US).

How do you ask what is in a dish in English?+

Use three phrases. 1) Does this contain + allergen? (Does this contain nuts?). 2) Is there any + allergen + in this? 3) Could you check with the chef? For a severe allergy, the key question is Could there be any cross-contamination? (Could tiny amounts get into your food from other food or tools?) The restaurant can then prepare your food on a separate, clean surface.

What does “may contain traces of” mean?+

May contain traces of + allergen means the product could have tiny amounts of that allergen, because it was made near it. Companies don't have to write this warning, but it is very common on packets. Take it seriously if you have a severe allergy: avoid the product, or ask the company that makes it.

What do you say in an allergy emergency in English?+

Call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) and say I'm having an allergic reaction or I'm having anaphylaxis (a very dangerous allergic reaction). Give the serious symptoms straight away: My throat is closing up / I can't breathe / My face is swelling. If you have an EpiPen: I need my EpiPen. The 999 or 911 service sends an ambulance immediately.

Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →

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