Millions of people have gone gluten-free, and many require strict adherence to maintain their health and wellness.  According to our research at Gluten Intolerance Group, an estimated 23 percent of U.S. adult shoppers reported gluten avoidance in their households, but 78% of gluten-free consumers truly fear dining out because they do not want to get sick. As a restaurant, catering to gluten-free guests can be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity to grow your consumer base and win the loyalty of satisfied customers.  Here are 8 proven ways to help you best serve these guests.  

1.Train your staff  
Make sure all your staff, including servers, chefs, and kitchen staff, are educated on what gluten is, which ingredients have it, and how to avoid cross-contact with gluten-containing food. 

2. Offer a gluten-free menu 
Create a separate menu for gluten-free or indicate which items on your menu are (or can be made to be) gluten-free. This makes it easier for your guests to find suitable options and shows that you take their needs seriously. 

3. Dedicate kitchen space for gluten-free prep 
Move ingredients that contain gluten away from areas used to prepare gluten-free dishes.  

4. Use separate utensils and cookware 
Dedicating utensils and cookware for gluten-free meal prep prevents cross-contact with gluten-containing food. Be sure to label those items to ensure they stay gluten-free. 

5. Check your ingredients 
Have a checklist of food that your facility orders regularly and find the gluten-free items on that list. Update the list at least annually. Verify that substituted ingredients are gluten-free and inform your vendors about the importance of supplying gluten-free replacements. 

6. Change your gloves 
When switching between gluten-containing and gluten-free food, a quick change of gloves ensures you keep those crumbs away.  

7. Cleaning counts 
Gluten can’t be burned off or bleached away. Soap and water on non-porous surfaces will do the trick.  

8. Apply to have your facility validated by our Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) program. In addition to establishing trust with gluten-free consumers, this process ensures you have the right support for the long-term implementation of gluten-free safety procedures. 

By following these tips, you can make your gluten-free guests feel welcome and well-catered to!    

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