Tree Nut-Free & Peanut-Free Dining

Tree nut and peanut allergies can be stressful. We focus on the details of listing ingredients and allergens so you can identify the foods that are safe to eat.

We understand the concern of tree nut and peanut cross-contact, such as students adding peanut butter or Nutella to food and then using a panini press, toaster, or waffle iron. To protect your food from exposure to tree nut- and peanut-containing foods, we offer specific options accessible in our tree nut- and peanut-free pantry in Dewick-MacPhie Dining Center and in our dedicated storage space in Carmichael Dining Center.

If cross-contact is a concern, please ask our staff for food from a warmer or directly from the kitchen when you believe cross-contact poses a risk. Special attention is given to food placement to minimize cross-contact.

Note: Although our bakery is peanut-free, tree nuts are used. Therefore, we advise guests with tree nut allergies to avoid all baked goods and unsliced breads (commercially sliced breads are safe, as we do not source any with peanuts or tree nuts, but please always check package labels).

In Carmichael or Dewick-MacPhie Dining Centers you’ll find:

  • A dedicated tree nut- and peanut-free toaster and panini press
  • Individual packs of cream cheese, margarine, and jelly, as cross-contact is common with these foods
  • All soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt are tree nut- and peanut-free
  • Packaged assorted cookies prepared in a tree nut- and peanut-free facility
  • Tree nut- and peanut-free cereals

Both of our dining centers provide Food Fact Cards near each food item. Our Food Fact Cards list ingredients and nutrition information, and identify whether a food item contains one or more of the FDA's eight major food allergens plus sesame. Peanut- and tree nut-containing items also make reference to nuts in the title of the recipe.

Accessing Our Nut- and Peanut-Free Areas

Students with a severe food allergy who are concerned with the potential for cross-contact, may be eligible for our Alternative Meal Program. This program provides hot meals that are cooked separately on dedicated equipment by trained culinary staff. Eligibility for and approval to participate is determined on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility begins with registering with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Access to the Dewick allergen pantry also requires registering with SAS.

Use this link:  https://students.tufts.edu/student-accessibility-services

For more information on eating on campus with food allergies, please contact our Tufts Dining dietitian:

Kelly Shaw, Registered Dietitian (MSRD)
617-627-2833
Kelly.Shaw@tufts.edu