How We Review Restaurant Allergy Information

A restaurant profile is a planning record, not a safety score. AllergyFreeNearMe keeps source menus, owner-provided details, and diner reports distinct so readers can decide which evidence applies to their needs.

Our source hierarchy

Each source answers a different question. A restaurant or chain menu shows what the business currently publishes. An approved owner can explain practices at a specific location. A dated diner report describes one person's experience on one visit. We do not merge those into a single promise.

1. Source menus and allergen documents: linked or stored material published by the restaurant or chain. A menu on file does not prove that a kitchen can prevent cross-contact.
2. Owner-provided details: information submitted by an approved restaurant representative. The profile labels it as owner supplied so it is not mistaken for independent verification.
3. Diner reports: recent, specific accounts from community members. They add questions and context, but another diner's experience cannot predict a future visit.
4. Editorial or administrative notes: corrections and source context added by the AllergyFreeNearMe team. These notes identify the basis for the change.

What our labels do and do not mean

“Menu on file” means a menu or allergen document is available to inspect. “Owner provided” identifies the speaker. Review counts and dates describe community activity. None of these labels means “safe,” “allergen free,” or suitable for every person. Ingredients, suppliers, staffing, equipment, and procedures can change without notice.

Freshness and location matter

We display dates where the underlying record provides them and keep chain-level information separate from a specific location when possible. If a menu is old, a report concerns another location, or an owner statement lacks current detail, treat it as a lead for your next question rather than a conclusion.

What we refuse to infer

• We do not turn the absence of an allergen on a menu into proof that an item is free from it.
• We do not treat “gluten-free,” “vegan,” or similar menu labels as evidence about shared equipment or preparation.
• We do not convert one positive review into a restaurant-wide guarantee.
• We do not present a chain policy as proof that every location follows the same practice.

Corrections and disputes

Restaurant owners and diners can report outdated or misleading information. Include the restaurant, location, field that needs correction, and the current source when contacting us. We review the evidence, preserve the distinction between source types, and remove content that violates the community rules. Send corrections to hello@allergyfreenearme.com.