New iPod touch/ iPhone application for Restaurant going Allergy Sufferers
I just received an email alert today from Kim Koeller announcing a new Celiac/Allergy application for iPod touch and iPhone users. It comes to us from AllergyFree Passort and GlutenFree Passport and is complimentary to Kim and Robert La France’s “Let’s Eat Out!” Series.
Recommended Reading: Cilie Yack is Under Attack Written for elementary school kids, this children’s novel tells the story of a funny boy growing up in Ireland before, during, and after he is diagnosed with celiac disease.
The app costs $8.99 and offers 86 menu item choices dynamically configured to your specific allergens. You can select from any combination of common food allergens: corn, dairy, eggs, fish, gluten, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. You can personalize the app for yourself and for others and choose from Indian, Italian, Steak, and Seafood options.
I currently have both her book and the mini pocket books that she has published. I met Kim at a conference a while back and was very impressed with the organization and ease of use that her book and mini pocket books provided at non-gluten free friendly restaurants. It takes the stress out of ‘what to order’ and gives allergy-suffering patrons confidence and also a head’s up on what kinds of questions to ask. I was successfully able to navigate what to order without worrying about cross-contamination due to ingredient errors. Folks also need to be aware that they still have to stress cross-contamination issues with the server. The books do a great job of explaining how restaurants prepare common dishes and where gluten or other allergens can hide.
I am excited by this app because it means one less bulky thing to carry in my purse and it is very user friendly. One the negative side, my son has both a wheat and corn allergy. Currently the app can only suggest one dish that is safe for him to eat (not surprising, as we have a hard time taking him to restaurants). Already I can see that the app is much faster than the paperback mini books as it does most of the decision making for you based on your allergy input. This is a great time saver, as I have been ‘caught’ nerve-wreckingly flipping pages while my dinner companions patiently waited for me to order.
I have downloaded and installed the app, and I hope Kim and AllergyFree Passport get enough support from consumers to warrant frequent additions to the existing menu for their electronic subscribers.
I will be putting this app to the test this weekend. Cheers Kim for a great addition to your “Let’s Eat Out!” series.
Caryn:
This App is great but you should really check out Is That Gluten Free? Only $5.99 and I get 14,000+ verified gf products with more to come with each update. This gives new ease to grocery shopping. even has an ingredient checker in case an item is not in the app and I want to check it out. This one is 5 stars!!
This is very exciting to hear! I know so many people who can benefit from this app. $8.99 is a great price considering how much money we end up spending on all of the GF cookbooks and ingredients. I love the idea of having the product list also. Very convenient for grocery shopping. Do you know of any that are usable for a Blackberry? I am going to add a link to the blog where I am interning. Both of these apps would make the switch to GF a lot less stressful for those just starting out. Technology can be so very convenient!
I LOVE my husbands iphone cause we can look up gluten free places to eat when we are out of town. I always ask the hostess when we get there for the “special” gluten free menu and it has made life so much easier.
I stumbled on your blog and love finding others who eat like we do. My blog is not only about food but it plays such a big role in our lives (eating healthy that is) that is rears its head often. 