How To Navigate Alcohol at a Party

If you’re 21 or older, the parties you attend may now have alcohol. There are some key food allergy considerations to keep in mind when alcohol is involved.

Download FAACT's How To Navigate Alcohol at a Party handout.

Allergens in Drinks

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate alcohol, so the law requiring labels on food products does not apply to alcohol bottles.
• Avoid mixed drinks if you did not mix them yourself and have not checked into allergens for every ingredient.
  • Specialty drinks could have milk, nuts, or other allergens mixed in.
  • Mixed drinks could be mixed using equipment that was not thoroughly washed after a previous drink was made.
  • Some hard liquors are made from or contain wheat and tree nuts.
  • Maraschino cherries used for garnish can be flavored with almond extract.
• Some wines use dairy, fish, shellfish, nut, and/or egg ingredients in the fining process (when sediments are filtered out).
• Beers can contain numerous allergens.
  • Beers generally are made from wheat ingredients.
  • Some specialty beers are brewed with tree nuts and peanuts.
• Do NOT share drinks! You never know what someone ate that day or whether they have an allergen in their own drink.

Effects of Alcohol

• Alcohol impairs judgement. When you are out, drink responsibly.
• ALWAYS carry two epinephrine auto-injectors!
• Epinephrine is the only medication that can stop a food allergy reaction in case of an emergency.
  • Make sure that you are carrying the Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan provided by your board-certified allergist with your epinephrine auto-injectors.
• Ensure at least one friend at the party knows where you are carrying your epinephrine auto-injectors and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan so they can help you in case of an emergency.

Visit Best Allergy Sites to learn more about alcoholic beverages that contain some of the top eight allergens.