Italian chefs take allergies SERIOUSLY — once they understand them. The challenge is COMMUNICATION. "I'm allergic to nuts" in English doesn't help in a kitchen that speaks Italian. This guide gives you the EXACT Italian phrases for every common allergy, a description of how to communicate with restaurant staff, and explains how Italian restaurants handle allergens (EU law requires allergen menus since 2014). Celiac/gluten-free → · Vegetarian/vegan →
"Sono allergico/a a..." (I'm allergic to...): Noci/frutta a guscio (nuts — tree nuts). Arachidi (peanuts). Glutine (gluten). Latte/latticini (milk/dairy). Uova (eggs). Crostacei (shellfish). Pesce (fish). Soia (soy). "È una allergia grave — può causare anafilassi" (It's a serious allergy — it can cause anaphylaxis). "Questo piatto contiene [allergen]?" (Does this dish contain [allergen]?). "Potete preparare qualcosa senza [allergen]?" (Can you prepare something without [allergen]?).
EU Regulation 1169/2011: Since 2014, ALL Italian restaurants MUST declare the 14 major allergens in their dishes — either on the menu or in a separate allergen book (libro allergeni) available on request. The 14 allergens: Gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin, molluscs. ASK: "Avete il libro degli allergeni?" (Do you have the allergen book?). Italian waiters will: Check with the kitchen. Many will bring the chef to your table to discuss directly. Italian kitchens RESPECT allergies — they understand cross-contamination and will modify dishes.
Save this text on your phone or print it — show to the waiter: "Ho un'allergia alimentare GRAVE a [YOUR ALLERGEN IN ITALIAN]. Anche una piccola quantità può causare una reazione pericolosa. Per favore, controllate che il mio piatto NON contenga [allergen], inclusa la contaminazione incrociata durante la preparazione. Grazie per la vostra attenzione — apprezzo molto il vostro aiuto." (I have a SERIOUS food allergy to [allergen]. Even a small amount can cause a dangerous reaction. Please check that my dish does NOT contain [allergen], including cross-contamination during preparation. Thank you for your attention — I very much appreciate your help.)
Resources: Celiac Association Italy (AIC) — app listing certified gluten-free restaurants (5,000+ in Italy). Italian pharmacies stock EpiPens (adrenalina autoiniettore) — bring your own + carry prescription. Emergency: 112 — say "reazione allergica" (allergic reaction) + "anafilassi" (anaphylaxis).