Did you know, according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), 1 in 13 children in the United States has at least one food allergy? In the schools SAGE serves, 1 in 11 students has been diagnosed with a food allergy. To keep our guests with food allergies safe, we’ve developed a comprehensive allergen safety program called Serve It Safely.
Our program begins with menu design. Managers team up with our Registered Dietitians and work closely with each venue to understand the community’s food allergies and dietary restrictions. Our Chefs create unique, customized menus to ensure everyone enjoys a safe, nutritious meal.
We pay careful attention to the ingredients we use and partner only with trusted suppliers who provide consistent products and transparent information. Additionally, we take special precautions when it comes to peanuts and tree nuts. These allergies are the most severe and prevalent, impacting more than 37% of students with food allergies in the schools we serve.
Because of this, we don’t serve any peanut or tree nut products unless a client specifically requests them. We also don’t serve products with advisory labels for peanuts or tree nuts unless the manufacturer meets our standards for preventing cross-contact.
If you have a food allergy, eating meals away from home can come with additional stress. We use tags on menu items to help you quickly find foods that are safe for you to eat. Our Registered Dietitians tag menu items that include the 12 most common allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, gluten, egg, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame, mustard, and sulfites.
A tag is assigned to a recipe or menu item if an allergen is present; a Learn More lightbulb icon is applied when an allergen may be in the menu item, depending on ingredients used. When you see the lightbulb, you should avoid the dish or ask your Manager for more information. You can view these tags on the online menus, in the Touch of SAGE® Mobile App, and on digital and printed signs displayed at each station in the dining hall. Our online menu and Touch of SAGE® Mobile App also feature an allergen filter that helps you select safe food.
All SAGE Team Members receive ongoing training on how to apply Serve It Safely principles and avoid cross-contact during food preparation and service. We’re committed to transparent communication. In addition to online information and dining hall signage, SAGE Team Members are happy to address any concerns regarding recipes, preparation techniques, and potential allergens. Please contact your Manager to discuss specific concerns or learn more about our safety principles.
At SAGE, we Serve It Safely so you can relax and enjoy your meal!
