Food Safety Search articles

Dietary Needs & Dining Out

Practical ideas for dining out with dietary needs, along with the story behind this website.

Adults and children enjoying a meal together at a restaurant in Japan

Dining Out in Japan with Dietary Restrictions: Why I Built Food Safety Search

Life with my Indian husband taught me that dietary restrictions are wonderfully varied—and that choosing a restaurant can feel like solving a puzzle. That experience inspired Food Safety Search.

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A woman noticing the ingredients on a gummy packet beside an elderly Indian woman wearing a sari

Dietary needs & ingredients

Is Gelatin Vegetarian? Hidden Animal Ingredients in Gummies and Desserts

A well-meant gift taught me why fruit gummies and desserts are not always vegetarian—and what to check in Japan.

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Fish-based dashi made from bonito flakes and dried sardines flowing into vegetable tempura, tofu, and udon

Dining out in Japan

Is Dashi Vegetarian? Hidden Fish Ingredients in Japanese Food

A vegetable dish may still contain bonito or fish-based stock. Here is what to check when ordering Japanese food.

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Illustration of food preparation in a central kitchen, cooking in a restaurant, and serving a guest

Dining out with food allergies

Shared Cooking Equipment and Food Allergies: What to Ask at Restaurants

Restaurant chains prepare food in different ways. Learn why ingredient lists cannot tell you everything about shared equipment and cross-contact.

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