Behind The Label

Since 2024, about 5.6 million teenagers have jobs, with restaurants being the largest employer. For teens with food allergies however, this can be a real challenge. Places like ice cream shops and bakeries may seem like the dream job, as for example, to me and many others, scooping up ice cream sounds way more fun than folding clothes or delivering newspapers. However, initially for those with food allergies these ice cream jobs may not seem to be the best. 

There are so many flavors containing nuts such as rocky road, peanut butter cup, pistachio, and butter pecan just to name a few. Plus, with toppings like almonds, wet walnuts, pistachios, and much more. Often, even nut-free flavors share surfaces, scoops, or storage with nut-containing ones, as a result raising the risk of cross-contact.

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, only 23% of consumers said they don’t add nuts to their ice cream, meaning that most orders involve some kind of nut topping or nutmix-in. For workers with allergies, this can be anxiety-inducing.

But this shouldn’t stop you. You CAN work safely in food service with a nut allergy. It’s all about awareness, preparation, having the proper skills, and building the confidence to speak up. Here are some tips that have helped me and others feel safer on the job.

1. Be open and upfront from the start

Tell your manager about your allergy before your first day or even during the interview. It’s not being dramatic or embarrassing, it’s protecting your health. A good employer will want to keep you safe. Additionally this allergy can actually enhance your application making you stand out and be the best fit as this personal experience now allows you to perfectly cater to others with food allergies, making you an added strength, being the best candidate in these situations.

2. Ask about procedures.

Find out how the ice cream or food shop handles allergens. Are scoops shared between flavors? Are gloves changed often? Are toppings stored separately? These details matter and should be enhanced and implemented wherever you work helping any customers and you coming in with allergies.

3. Gloves

Gloves are your best friend. If you accidentally touch a nut topping or a contaminated scoop, remember that it is okay!! You just have to wash your hands and change gloves right away and you will be fine as no contact was even made between the allergen and you! Also, a good tip is to start the habit of changing gloves in between tasks, especially if you touch anything that was possibly contaminated with your certain allergen.

4. Ask to be assigned “nut-free” zones.

If your shop has different stations such as toppings, scooping, and the register, see if you can stick to areas that don’t deal with nuts. Plus, many employers are flexible with shift roles once they understand your allergy.

5. Wipe down surfaces

Bring your own cleaning wipes or use the shop’s to clean any shared surfaces with nuts. Tables, counters, scoops, and handles can carry any previous nut bacteria. So, a quick wipe can give you peace of mind as I know it would for me.

6. Tie your hair back and don’t touch your face.

This may be a good habit for food safety itself, but it is a personal allergy precaution too. By tying hair back and not touching your face, it also keeps allergens away from your eyes, mouth, or nose while working, thus reducing any potential contact.

7. Communicate with your coworkers.

Let your coworkers know about your allergy. That way, they will be extra careful around you and can help you if anything goes wrong. You also definitely don’t need to make a big deal out of it if you don’t want to, just a quick heads up can go a long way.

8. Carry an Epipen

Always have your epinephrine on you whether it be a generic EpiPen, Neffy, orAuvi-Q. However, not far away or completely out of reach such as in your car or in a locker across the building. 

9. Take breaks when overwhelmed

Sometimes anxiety and not actually the allergy itself is the hardest part of having an allergy. I know that this is extremely true and the case many times than not for me. If you ever feel nervous or unsure and panicked, step away, take a break, breathe, maybe walk outside getting fresh air, and check in with yourself. It’s okay to pause and regroup.

10. Remember: You are NOT eating it, just handling it.

Most importantly, know that you are never actually ingesting the allergen. Exposure through touch isn’t the same as ingestion. Many people with nut allergies are fine being around nuts, as long as they don’t eat them. 

All in all, having a nut allergy does NOT at all mean that you have to sit out from the job opportunities you’re excited about, especially fun, food-filled ones like ice cream shops or bakeries. It just means approaching the role with more awareness and confidence.

By leading with honesty, self-advocacy, and good habits in the workplace there is no reason you cannot thrive in a food service job even with a severe allergy.

I remember how nervous I was before my first shift on my first day. Gloves on, epi-pen in my pocket, and a million “what ifs” going through my head. But, once I started and got into a rhythm, it all felt manageable. The truth is, your allergy doesn’t make you unable or weak at your job, it makes you actually more able, more aware, more careful, and more empathetic which is a huge strength!!