<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> _________________ This is what I have on the front of mine: Celiac Disease Alert: It is IMPERATIVE that persons with this hereditary disorder avoid eating: WHEAT, RYE, OATS, BARLEY and all derivatives of these grains to avoid intestinal damage. Other sources include: flour thickeners, coating mixes, breadings, sauces, soy sauce, marinades, malt, malt flavorings, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, modified food starch, pasta, croutons, stuffings, broth, self-basting poultry, imitation bacon, imitation seafood, and soup base. Additionally, all cooking surfaces and cooking oils must be free of these products. This is what I have on the back: Celiac disease is probably the most under- diagnosed disease in the United States. Do you know someone with undiagnosed Celiac? Symptoms may include: diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, intestinal gas, bloating, abdominal distention, cramps, or lactose intolerance, also failure to grow, fatigue, weakness, irritability, inability to concentrate, infertility, or delayed puberty, also anemia, osteoporosis, depression, tooth enamel defects, night blindness, clotting disorders, skin dermatitis including rashes, as well as increased colon cancer risk. www.celiac.com Occasionally you will see a double-sized, folding, business card. Perhaps that is what you need to do. That way you could get twice as much information on it. You can get things laminated at Kinko's for not too much. __________________ I have Celiac Disease and MUST NOT eat any foods containing GLUTEN. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, Triticale, barley, oats and malt Even the smallest amount can make me very ill. Please avoid serving me anything: Coated, dredged, breaded, or containing flour or breadcrumbs Made with boullion cubes or processed Soup or gravy bases. Processed in any form as these foods may contain gluten (e.g.’ soy sauce, miso, salad dressings and seasoning mixes). Contamination can also occur on a grill, pot or with utensils Please do not place my food in a fryer used to cook battered foods. Your attention and assistance in providing me with a safe meal is greatly appreciated. __________________ Here's some wording. I've found that when I speak with someone in the restaurant...wait staff/management/chef...it's easier to explain it as a "severe allergy" rather than even "celiac disease." Most people understand the term "severe allergy." Many folks will disagree with me, I'm sure, but I eat out all the time and can go to just about any restaurant and find something to eat! This is the card that I used when I was first diagnosed... I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CELIAC DISEASE. I have severe reactions to food which contains wheat, rye, barley, oats, or their derivatives. These may be contained in: Tenderizers; marinades; additives; caramel color; dextrins; emulsifiers; extracts (grain alcohol); flavorings (grain alcohol base); hydrolyzed vegetable protein; malt; preservatives; modified food starch; vinegar (distilled in grain base) soy sauce; beer. I must also be concerned with food preparation. If my food contacts offending grains, it is considered contaminated. (Food cooked in the same fryer as breaded foods; meats cooked on the same grill as buns, pancakes, etc - please use aluminum foil on the grill.) Thank you in advance for your consideration of my dietary needs. __________________ The Restaurant Card that we made, simply says: I have a SEVERE food allergy to ”cereal” protein … (specifically, the “gluten” in wheat, barley, rye, and oats) … and therefore CAN NOT eat meals containing flour, breadcrumbs, pasta, or soy sauce … including durum, semolina, farina, spelt, kamut, triticale, bulgar, seitan, and einkorn). Gluten can also be HIDING in certain sauces and marinades, condiments, seasonings, dressings and coatings (such as “flouring” and “breading”). Should any of these ingredients be used in my meal (and IT IS NOT POSSIBLE to leave them out) please could you, or the chef, suggest an alternative selection. Thank you so much! --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Find out what made the Top Yahoo! Searches of 2003 * Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *