Berkeley Dining is committed to helping our customers meet their dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, gluten intolerance, dietary restrictions from religious practices, follow a vegan/vegetarian diet, or simply need assistance with your food selections, Berkeley Dining is here to help you make safe and delicious choices.
Students with specific questions can schedule a one-on-one meeting with our Registered Dietitian to discuss your dietary needs. Please email dietitian@berkeley.edu to make an appointment, or book a slot at her virtual weekly Meet the Dietitian event on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In the meantime, students in need of housing accommodation due to special dietary needs (i.e. severe food allergies, Celiac disease) are encouraged to reach out to the Housing Accommodations Team at housingaccommodations@
Food Allergies
A food allergy is defined as a disorder of the body’s immune response to specific food proteins. Food allergy symptoms range from mild to severe. The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis — a life-threatening, whole-body allergic reaction that can impair breathing, cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure, and affect heart rate. Anaphylaxis can manifest within minutes of exposure to the trigger food. It can be fatal and must be treated promptly with an injection of epinephrine (adrenaline).
While any food can potentially cause an adverse reaction, nine types of food, known as the Big-9, account for about 90 percent of all allergic reactions in the US: milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, and sesame. To help our customers with food allergies to browse and choose safely, the Big-9 allergens are listed on the menu signage in Berkeley Dining locations and the online menu. In addition, we also list gluten, pork, and alcohol.
Comprehensive information about food allergies can be found at Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) website. Berkeley Dining participates in the FARE College Food Allergy Program.
Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, barley, and rye. Celiac disease is a disorder caused by an autoimmune reaction to gluten ingestion. Gluten intolerance is sometimes confused with Celiac disease or a food allergy, but is a different condition. Common symptoms of gluten intolerance include gassiness, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Both Celiac disease and gluten intolerance can be treated by avoiding gluten.
Gluten is found in many foods and is often a hidden ingredient in food recipes, so special care must be taken to avoid gluten. To help our customers with gluten intolerance/Celiac disease to browse and choose safely, gluten is listed on the menu signage in Berkeley Dining locations and the online menu.
Religious Dietary Restrictions
Café 3 is UC Berkeley Dining’s designated location for Halal and Kosher-friendly meals. H and K icons are used to identify Halal and Kosher options on our digital and printed menus.
The main entrée station or Center Plate at Café 3 is curated to be Halal with no pork or alcohol, and all ingredients used have been reviewed and certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) for Halal compliance. All meats served at the main entrée station at Cafe 3 are certified Halal and sourced hand-slaughtered. Halal-certified and mechanically-slaughtered chicken and beef are also available at the allergen-friendly stations in each dining hall.
The Kosher Kitchen at Café 3 offers kosher sandwiches and meals for lunch/brunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday. The Kosher kitchen maintains strict separation of dairy and meat to ensure kashrut standards. On Fridays and Saturdays, pre-packaged kosher meals are available during regular meal hours.
UC Berkeley Dining is committed to transparency in food sourcing and preparation. Our Halal dishes use Halal-certified meats that meet Zabiha standards. Documentation for our Halal meat suppliers is available below:
Vegan/Vegetarian Resources
Food choices are made for many different reasons, including cultural, emotional, economical, religious, ethical, environmental, and personal health. For those who choose to follow a vegetarian diet (no meat or fish) or vegan diet (no animal products of any kind, including meat, eggs, and dairy), Berkeley Dining offers a variety of daily selections to meet your needs at all of our locations.
Whatever choices you make regarding meat and animal product consumption, you can never go wrong with eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Try to include all colors of fruits and vegetables when you can.
Special Diet Resources
Berkeley Dining has made it a priority to label food items that contain the Big-9 food allergens, gluten, pork, and alcohol. For those with food allergies or gluten-intolerance, we would like to gently remind you to always read the allergen labels on menu items posted in the dining commons and online. When in doubt, always ask.
For customers with common food allergies, Celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, we encourage you to visit the Allergen Friendly Station at each dining commons. The allergen-friendly station is designed to serve nutritious and delicious food that everyone can enjoy without worrying about common allergic or triggering ingredients with a menu free of the Big-9 food allergens, gluten, pork, and alcohol. Items such as gluten-free bread, pasta, and dessert are available upon request.
For better meal planning, we highly encourage you to schedule an appointment with Jaylene Tang, MS. RD, Berkeley Dining’s staff dietitian. She will meet with you in person to learn your dietary needs and connect you with the culinary team in charge of the preparation of your meals. She can be reached at dietitian@berkeley.edu. You may also complete the form: Special Diet Notification for Berkeley Dining Dietitian and our dietitian will reach out to you.