What action should be taken if a customer is found to have a food allergy?

The correct action when a customer is found to have a food allergy is to inform them about the ingredients and ensure safe preparation. This approach is crucial for several reasons.

First, understanding the specific allergies that a customer has allows you to provide accurate information about which menu items are safe for them to consume. It also fosters trust between the customer and the establishment, showing that their health and safety are prioritized.

Additionally, ensuring safe preparation means taking appropriate measures to avoid cross-contamination. This could involve using separate equipment and utensils, cleaning surfaces thoroughly, and possibly even designating specific times to prepare their meal to further minimize any risk of allergen exposure. This attention to detail is essential to protect the customer from potentially severe reactions, which can occur even with trace amounts of an allergen.

In contrast, preparing a meal with the same equipment as others could lead to cross-contamination, while ignoring a minor allergy may put the customer’s health at risk. Offering alternative menu items without proper communication could leave the customer unaware of possible allergens, which can also lead to dangerous situations.