Meal Kits and Food Allergies: The Risks and Precautions to Consider

Food allergies can feel like they dominate life, but that doesn’t mean individuals with allergies can’t still make informed choices. Meal kits make life more convenient for many, but can feel like a minefield for someone with allergies, and instead of making life easier they can present a whole new set of challenges.

8 major food allergens according to the FDA:

1. Milk

2. Eggs

3. Fish

4. Shellfish

5. Tree nuts 

6. Peanuts

7. Wheat

8. Soybeans 

Meal kit businesses need to ensure food safety risks are minimized every step of the way, but more research and discussion about industry standards still needs to be done. Items are supposed to be clearly labelled listing any allergens, and it’s the responsibility of the customer to educate themselves on products. 

While HelloFresh states that the main way they accommodate allergies is by keeping most ingredients separately sealed in lots of different packaging, your best bet as an individual with allergies looking for a meal kit is to find a specific allergy-friendly one. 

If you’re looking for regular meal prep but finding it challenging to select the right kit, consider a personal chef service that can accommodate the most specific of allergy requests, even for multiple people. Find out more here.