HELP--I'm in need of help from those more experienced on the issue of dining out with my PA daughter. Went to an Italian restaurant and the hostess/part-owner greeted us. I inquired about peanuts ,peanut oil, and other nuts and explained the allergy to this woman. She really appeared to be listening and concerned. She assured me there were no nuts, but said she would check with someone in the kitchen. It turns out they did use peanut oil for the pastas prepared in the back kitchen, but not for the regular pizzas prepared up front. The only pizzas that had peanut oil were the sicilian pizzas, where peanut oil is used to line the pan. The pans used are different (square shaped), so there was no cause for concern relating to the regular pizzas. We ate--everything was fine--no reaction. BUT, on our way out, I noticed a sicilian pizza sitting on a circular pizza pan on display.
My heart sank. Did I do something wrong? Possibly expose my daughter? There was probably a high risk of cross-contamination, but the woman was so reassuring--and my 2 kids, 18 months and 3 yrs, were hungry and tired. Then I thought...they probably use the same pizza cutter to slice the pizzas...it's probably prepared on the same counter top... Is it possible, HOW is it possible, to eat out safely?
WHAT SHOULD I BE ASKING EXACTLY?
I read a post on this previously, I can't remember whose post it was and where I read it, but if the Peanut oil is processed through heat its Ok, if it is cold compressed its not ok.
If the restaurant can answer this question correctly well its questionable.I don't know if I could trust the answer so I don't trust anything with peanut oil.
Hope this helps a little!
P.S. Check out Restaurants in the List of Boards section, that may help. It gives you an idea of what to stay away from, and if your in any restaurant that can't tell you ingredients info. or "May contain" I wouldn't eat there. We eat out all the time, just use the regular restaurants we have had good experiences with. Never had a problem yet!
[This message has been edited by smack (edited December 10, 2001).]
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