Avoid food allergy problems abroad with native-language cards

If you’ve got food allergies you know they’re no laughing matter. However, there’s a tendency for people in some parts of the world to regard food allergies as a western whim, something that coddled westerners have invented to make life more complicated.

In some cases there might be some merit to that, but in others eating the wrong food can lead to anaphylactic shock and even death.

If you happen to be allergic to something you already know that it can make traveling much more complicated. Toss in the language barrier and you have a recipe for disaster.

But there are some things you can do to make life a bit easier. One of the most helpful things is to create a little card that explains your food allergies in the native language of wherever you’re headed. If you happen to know someone who speaks the language you’re all set, just have them write down the phrases you need and carry them with you.

If you don’t know a native language speaker you might want to try ordering cards from a site like Select Wisely, which offers translations in dozens of languages and even offers “strongly-worded” cards to emphasize that you have a life threatening allergy, and aren’t just a coddled westerner with tedious habits.

One thing to keep in mind if you decide to carry such cards; try to use them as politely as possible. Don’t just shove them at every server that comes by your table. Make an effort to learn a few words in the local language (such as: excuse me sir, can I tell you something… and then hand them the card) and your message stands a much better chance of being taken seriously.

Select Wisely also has some other cards available for travelers with diabetes or asthma which contain helpful instructions for anyone that might want to help you, but doesn’t understand what’s wrong.

Select Wisely’s various cards aren’t free, but they aren’t too expensive either. In most cases the cards are between $6.50 and $10. If your particular allergy and language combo aren’t available you can always custom order what you need.

[via the SFGate, photo by Dan4th, Flickr]

Posted by | Comments (1)  | August 12, 2009
Category: General


One Response to “Avoid food allergy problems abroad with native-language cards”

  1. Meghan Porter Says:

    These are great tips! I have quite a few friends with food allergies that would enjoy this article. Traveling can always be hard when you have to worry about what you’re eating, especially if you don’t know the language! I’ve never heard about these Select Wisely cards, but definitely worth checking out. Have you thought about creating a https://bit.ly/4bybHr poll for your readers? I find them pretty useful and also fun for voting! 🙂