Food Delivery with Allergies Abroad

Why Food Allergies Are Harder to Manage Abroad

Ordering food with allergies at home is already stressful. Abroad, the stakes are higher and the safety nets are thinner. Language barriers make it difficult to communicate your needs. Allergens that are uncommon in your home country may be staples elsewhere. And food delivery apps add an extra layer of separation between you and the kitchen.

This guide will help you minimize risk when ordering food delivery internationally, but it is important to acknowledge upfront: delivery apps are inherently riskier for allergy sufferers than ordering in person, where you can speak directly with staff and verify ingredients. When your allergy is severe or life-threatening, in-person dining or self-catering is always the safer choice.

How to Communicate Allergies Through Delivery Apps

Step 1: Prepare Your Allergy Statement

Before your trip, prepare a clear allergy statement in both English and the local language of your destination. This statement should:

• Name the specific allergens you must avoid
• State that even small amounts or traces are dangerous
• Request that the kitchen use clean utensils and cooking surfaces
• Mention that this is a medical condition, not a preference

Step 2: Use Allergy Translation Cards

Allergy translation cards are pre-written cards that explain your allergies in the local language. Several services offer them:

• Equal Eats: Digital allergy cards in 50+ languages, written and reviewed by native speakers. Available as an app.
• Allergy Translation: Printable cards covering all major allergens in dozens of languages.
• SelectWisely: Laminated cards for common dietary needs and allergies.

For delivery, copy the text from these cards and paste it into the delivery app's special instructions or notes field.

Step 3: Use the App's Notes Field

Most delivery apps have a "Special Instructions," "Notes," or "Comments" field for each item and/or for the overall order. Paste your translated allergy statement here. Keep it concise but clear. For example:

"SEVERE ALLERGY - NO PEANUTS OR TREE NUTS. Even traces can cause a dangerous reaction. Please use clean utensils. This is a medical emergency risk."

And in the local language below it.

Which Delivery Apps Have Allergy Features?

Apps with Allergen Information

• Deliveroo (UK & Europe): The strongest allergy labeling of any major delivery app. EU regulations require restaurants to list allergens, and Deliveroo displays this information on menu items. Look for the allergen tags beneath dish descriptions.
• Uber Eats: Has allergen information in some European markets where it is legally required. Coverage is inconsistent in other regions. The notes field is your best tool.
• Just Eat / Takeaway.com: Displays allergen information in EU markets. Quality of labeling depends on restaurant participation.
• Wolt: Includes allergen tags in Nordic and Central European markets. Improving coverage in other regions.

Apps with Limited or No Allergy Features

• Grab Food, LINE MAN, Baemin: Asian delivery apps generally do not have allergen labeling. You must rely entirely on delivery notes and your own knowledge of the cuisine.
• iFood, Rappi: Latin American apps have minimal allergy features. Some restaurants include ingredient lists, but it is not standardized.
• Demae-can (Japan): No allergen filtering, though Japanese food labeling laws are strict in supermarkets. Restaurant delivery is less regulated.

High-Risk Allergens by Region

Different allergens pose different levels of risk depending on where you travel. Understanding which allergens are pervasive in local cuisines helps you plan safer orders.

Peanuts & Tree Nuts

• High risk: Thailand (peanuts in pad thai, satay, curries), Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, West Africa, India
• Moderate risk: Mexico, Middle East (pine nuts, pistachios in many dishes)
• Lower risk: Japan, South Korea (nuts used less commonly, but still present in some dishes)

Shellfish & Fish

• High risk: Japan (dashi in nearly everything), South Korea (anchovy and shrimp paste in kimchi and banchan), Thailand (fish sauce and shrimp paste), Vietnam
• Moderate risk: Spain, Portugal, Italy (seafood common in coastal cuisine)
• Lower risk: Central European countries, landlocked nations

Gluten

• High risk: Italy (pasta, bread, pizza as staples), France (bread, pastries, sauces thickened with flour)
• Moderate risk: Japan (soy sauce contains wheat), South Korea (wheat noodles, fried foods)
• Lower risk: Mexico (corn-based cuisine), Thailand (rice-based cuisine, but soy sauce is still used)

Dairy

• High risk: France, Italy, India (ghee, paneer, yogurt in many dishes)
• Lower risk: Japan, South Korea, Thailand (dairy uncommon in traditional cuisine)

Sesame

• High risk: Middle East (tahini, hummus, halva), Japan (sesame oil and seeds), South Korea (sesame oil in most dishes)
• Moderate risk: China, Thailand, India

Emergency Phrases for Allergic Reactions

Save these phrases on your phone in case of an emergency. Showing the local-language text to a bystander, hotel staff, or taxi driver can get you help faster.

Key Emergency Phrases

• Spanish: "Tengo una reacción alérgica grave. Necesito ir al hospital." (I am having a severe allergic reaction. I need to go to the hospital.)
• French: "J'ai une réaction allergique grave. J'ai besoin d'aller à l'hôpital."
• Japanese: "重いアレルギー反応が出ています。病院に行く必要があります。" (Omoi arerugii hanno ga dete imasu. Byouin ni iku hitsuyou ga arimasu.)
• Korean: "심한 알레르기 반응이 있습니다. 병원에 가야 합니다." (Simhan allereugi ban-eung-i issseubnida. Byeongwon-e gaya habnida.)
• Thai: "ฉันมีอาการแพ้อาหารรุนแรง ต้องไปโรงพยาบาล" (Chan mee aa-gaan phae aa-haan run-raeng. Dtong pai rong-pa-yaa-baan.)
• Italian: "Ho una reazione allergica grave. Devo andare in ospedale."
• Portuguese: "Estou tendo uma reação alérgica grave. Preciso ir ao hospital."
• German: "Ich habe eine schwere allergische Reaktion. Ich muss ins Krankenhaus."

Safer Strategies for Allergy-Prone Travelers

Order from Chain Restaurants

International chains like McDonald's, Subway, and Pizza Hut publish allergen information on their websites for each country. While not the most exciting food, their standardized menus and ingredient lists make them a safer fallback when you are unsure about local restaurants.

Use Grocery Delivery Instead

When restaurant delivery feels too risky, grocery delivery apps let you buy ingredients you can verify. This is especially useful for travelers staying in accommodations with kitchens. Check our Grocery Delivery Guide for app recommendations by country.

Stick to Simple, Identifiable Dishes

Complex sauces, curries, and mixed dishes are where hidden allergens lurk. When ordering delivery abroad, choosing simple dishes where you can see and identify every ingredient reduces risk: grilled meat or fish, plain rice, steamed vegetables, and fresh salads (without dressing) are generally safer bets.

Order from Allergy-Aware Restaurants

Some restaurants specialize in allergy-friendly or free-from cooking. Apps like AllergyEats (US) and websites like the Coeliac Society directories (for gluten-free) can help you find these. Cross-reference with your delivery app to see if they deliver.

Frequently Asked Questions