Concordia College

Dining Services Joins Food Allergy Network

Oct 23, 2008


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
TIFFANY DEXTER, dietetic intern
tkdexter@cord.edu
AMY KELLY, Media Relations director
(218) 299-3642

CONCORDIA DINING SERVICES JOINS FOOD ALLERGY
 AND ANAPHYLAXIS NETWORK

    Concordia College Dining Services has joined the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), a program that raises awareness and educates those affected by food allergies. This national program is designed so students across the country are aware of what college food service departments offer to guests with allergy concerns.
    College and university dining programs across the country are being affected by an increase in the percentage of people with life-threatening food allergies, especially among those under the age of 25.
    To assist guests with allergies within Anderson Commons, Concordia’s residential dining facility, ingredient lists are easily accessible throughout the facility and recipes are online through NetNutrition, a program detailing ingredients and nutritional values of all food in Anderson Commons. Gluten free products, special menu items, soy milk and much more are also available throughout Anderson Commons daily.
    Concordia’s Dining Services allows students who have a meal plan the opportunity to meet with one of the four registered dietitians on staff. “Food was one of the main things that I looked at when selecting a college,” said Kendal Christensen, a freshman at Concordia who has food allergies. “I wanted to feel comfortable eating away from home. Meeting with a dietitian who knew about food allergies was very helpful for me to figure out what I can and can’t eat. And just knowing that I have someone to talk to if I have questions is comforting,” said Christensen.
    The most common food allergies in America include: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts), fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis, approximately 12 million Americans suffer from a food allergy. Each year there are believed to be 30,000 emergency room visits and between 150 and 200 deaths annually due to food allergies.

-30-
(td)
08-183