Airlines and train operators prepare meals based on passenger meal request data submitted before departure. A passenger with a severe nut allergy who does not notify in advance receives the standard meal. In an aircraft at 35,000 feet, an allergic reaction to an undeclared ingredient in a meal is a medical emergency with limited immediate intervention options.
Notification before travel is not an administrative preference. For passengers with severe allergies, it is a safety requirement.
Every major airline operates a special meal system. Passengers submit meal requests at the time of booking or up to 24 to 48 hours before departure. Airlines use standardised IATA meal codes:
| Meal Code | Description |
|---|---|
| HNML | Hindu meal (no beef or pork) |
| MOML | Moslem meal (halal) |
| GFML | Gluten-free meal |
| NLML | Nut-free meal |
| DBML | Diabetic meal |
| VGML | Vegan meal |
| VLML | Lacto-ovo vegetarian meal |
| KSML | Kosher meal |
| SFML | Seafood meal |
| BLML | Bland meal (low fibre) |
How to request a special meal:
Most airlines allow you to add a special meal code during the booking process in the passenger details section. If you missed this step, add the meal code through your booking's "Manage my booking" section on the airline's website. The deadline varies:
Have a question about the advance notification deadline for a specific airline, what the NLML nut-free meal actually includes or how to add an allergy note to a train booking? Get specific answers for any operator.
Ask About Allergy PoliciesGet Booking GuideThe NLML (nut-free meal) removes nuts from the meal itself. It does not guarantee a nut-free environment in the aircraft. Other passengers on the same flight may receive meals containing nuts. The aircraft kitchen processes meals containing nuts separately from the nut-free meals but cross-contamination risk in the galley exists.
For passengers with severe nut allergies requiring absolute nut-free environments, consult your allergist about in-flight risk management. Some allergy specialists recommend:
The notification process ensures you receive a nut-free meal. It does not create a nut-free zone around your seat.
European long-distance trains with dining cars (German ICE, French TGV, Swiss IC, Eurostar) handle food allergy requests differently from airlines.
Eurostar: No advance meal booking for Standard tickets. Business Premier tickets include meals and you notify during booking or by contacting Eurostar's accessibility team before travel.
Deutsche Bahn ICE: The Bordbistro (dining car) serves food to order. Staff are trained to identify allergens in menu items and can tell you which dishes contain which of the 14 declared EU allergens. No advance notification required; ask staff directly before ordering.
French TGV (SNCF): TGV Inoui Business Premier and Club includes meals. Notify SNCF customer service at least 72 hours before departure for dietary requirements.
Eurostar Business Premier: Contact eurostar.com/accessibility or call the business desk. They pass your dietary requirements to the catering team before the service.
When dining abroad with serious food allergies, written communication in the local language is essential. A misunderstood verbal request in a foreign language has caused allergic reactions globally.
Allergy translation cards are the standard solution. These are printed cards or phone displays showing your specific allergy in the language of your destination country.
Services providing allergy translation cards:
For restaurant bookings: When making advance restaurant reservations (required at Michelin-starred and high-demand restaurants), notify the restaurant of your allergy at the time of booking through the reservation platform's notes field or by calling directly. Follow up with the specific card or written instruction at the time of the meal.
Premium restaurants with advance knowledge of a guest's allergy typically adjust the entire menu for that table, substitute ingredients in affected courses and confirm with you before serving each course. The advance notification enables this; arriving without it means standard dishes and a last-minute verbal request that kitchen staff may not be able to accommodate safely.