It’s Food Allergy Awareness Week, and my thanks goes out to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network for their ongoing efforts to heighten awareness about food allergies. As a parent preparing food with food allergies in mind, it’s important to be informed and partner with others who prepare our food. We cook in often, but enjoy dining out when opportunity arises. If you’re eating out and minding food allergies, talk to your chef. We never hesitate to ask about ingredients, cross-contamination, or menu uncertainties. What kind of reaction do we most often receive when asking? Extremely helpful and candid. If you’re dining out, be certain. Ask your chef.

Check out FAAN’s updated ideas to help navigate dining out with food allergies.