Food Allergy Menu Screening
Design a menu screening experience that separates ingredient evidence, preparation controls, cross-contact uncertainty, and direct restaurant confirmation.
The brief
Understand the problem
Background
A dish can omit an allergen as an ingredient yet still be prepared on shared equipment. Menus also change, supplier labels vary, and dietary icons often represent preferences rather than clinical controls.
User context
Caleb has a severe peanut allergy and wants to join friends at a Thai restaurant. He needs to identify possible dishes and ask the restaurant focused questions before deciding.
Product problem
Caleb needs useful screening without the product turning incomplete menu data into a promise of safety.
Objective
Create allergy profile, filtered menu, evidence detail, and restaurant confirmation states that preserve uncertainty.
What to design
Define the experience
Required experience
- Record allergen and severity context with privacy controls
- Filter dishes by available evidence
- Inspect ingredients, supplier date, and preparation notes
- Send structured questions and review the restaurant response
Screens and states
- Allergy setup
- Screened menu
- Dish evidence detail
- Restaurant question and response
Core user flow
Follow the critical path
- 01
Caleb selects peanut allergy and opens the restaurant menu
- 02
Results separate dishes with complete ingredient data from those needing review
- 03
A curry lists no peanuts but has an unconfirmed shared preparation area
- 04
He asks about utensils and receives a response that cross-contact cannot be ruled out
Product rules
Requirements and constraints
Requirements
- Separate dietary preferences from medical allergy settings
- Show data source, update date, and missing evidence
- Avoid labels such as safe when cross-contact remains uncertain
- Provide direct restaurant questions that include the selected dish and allergen
- Keep emergency guidance available without presenting it as a substitute for judgment
Constraints
- The product cannot guarantee a dish is allergen-free
- Restaurant staff responses may be incomplete or change by shift
- Allergy profiles are sensitive and sharing must be explicit
Reality check
States worth considering
Finish line
What to deliver
- Four responsive screens covering uncertain cross-contact
- A language guide for confirmed ingredient, absent from listed ingredients, unknown, and cross-contact possible
If you want more
Optional extensions
Optional direction
Visual resources
Use these as a starting constraint if you want one. They are not part of the required solution.
Stint Ultra Expanded & Roboto
Clear interface writing gives people the confidence to understand what changed and decide what to do next.
Stint Ultra Expanded & Roboto
Clear interface writing gives people the confidence to understand what changed and decide what to do next.