In addition to offering fresh fruit smoothies and grain-free pastas all day, the Free From IX concept at McNutt is AllerCheck Food Allergy Approved—a certification that requires 26 separate criteria, including ingredient review, training, food storage, and food preparation.
“We want to provide peace of mind for students with food allergies dining at McNutt,” said IU Registered Dietitian Rachel Dolgner. She pursued the certification in 2022 to support IU’s commitment to food allergy safety. “Our Free From IX staff are passionate about what they do,” she said. “They love connecting with and getting to know our students and hearing their feedback on the food!”
Each August, a third-party auditor reviews the Free From IX physical space to assess cleaning procedures and processes. The space has its own kitchen, cook top, storage, and dishwasher. All ingredients and products must be pre-verified by chefs and registered dietitians. To prevent accidental cross-contact, Free From IX does not offer self-serve items, instead providing each guest with a fresh plate and utensils from behind the counter.
Full-time staff at Free From IX also stay current on AllerTrain certification, offered through the MenuTrinfo company, and must be able to identify symptoms of an allergic reaction.
IU Dietitian Lauren Trumbauer added that all are welcome to enjoy food at Free From IX. “The concept offers a variety of tasty menu options that any student may enjoy, and there is no specific dietary requirement to eat there. I use the lentil pasta and grilled chicken as the base for a protein bowl and customize with items from the salad bar or Mediterranean offerings.”
Look for the AllerCheck™ seal and certificate displayed at IU Dining’s McNutt Free From IX concept.