Founder’s Thoughts: 93% Say Dietary Needs Influence Dining Choices

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When I read the FSA’s Food Hypersensitivity (FHS)Household Survey, one finding stopped me in my tracks: 93% of people living with a food hypersensitivity say it influences where they eat out or get takeaway. (Food Standards Agency - FHS household survey)

That’s not an abstract number. If you need gluten free, have a food allergy, follow a vegan diet, or manage an intolerance, your choices aren’t just about flavour, price, or ambience. They’re about safety, trust, and peace of mind.

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What this means in practice

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Think of it this way: for someone with a serious allergy or intolerance, a mistake in the kitchen can mean more than disappointment, it can mean danger. For others, dietary restrictions are tied to identity, ethics, or health goals. When people tell me that their requirements affect where they eat, I believe it. And here’s what I see:

- Diners are increasingly filtering before they even look at the menu, they want to know: Can I trust this place? Do they understand my needs?

- Trust is fragile. One bad experience, one “we cross contaminate,” one “we only have one sauce” - and a restaurant loses credibility.

- Restaurants that lean in -who clearly communicate, train staff, and offer verified allergen friendly information - gain loyalty. They become the safe harbour for a growing community.

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Enter TasteBuddy

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This is why I built TasteBuddy - because dining out should feel safe and joyous, not stressful.

With TasteBuddy, diners can:

- Filter restaurants by exact dietary needs - allergies, intolerances, preferences.

- See verified allergen friendly info, so you don’t have to gamble with your safety.

- Browse inclusive restaurants with confidence, knowing that other people like you have already vouched that a place works.

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If you’ve ever avoided a place because you were unsure, or turned down an invite because you didn’t want to explain your needs - TasteBuddy is here to change that.

We’re live on Android and iOS. Download the app today and take back your choices. Experience safe dining without the anxiety.

📲 [Download TasteBuddy]

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A message to restaurants: become a verified advocate

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To restaurateurs: if you take dietary needs seriously, there’s something powerful in making that effort visible.

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When you become a verified advocate on TasteBuddy:

- You signal to people with dietary needs: “We get it. We care. We do this right.”

- You join a growing movement of restaurants earning trust not just by saying you’re “allergy friendly,” but by showing evidence, by being transparent.

- You’ll likely see loyalty, repeat bookings, and word of mouth: people will choose you because you honour their needs.

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If that’s you, let’s talk. Email us at restaurants@taste-buddy.co.uk to become a verified advocate. Let’s make safe, inclusive dining the standard -not the exception.

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👉 Learn more about our mission on the TasteBuddy Blog.

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Bigger picture: inclusion is the future

The 93% figure is about how dietary needs shape where people choose to eat out, it’s a decision filter, not just a feeling about food safety. This is about inclusion, dignity, and enjoyment. As restaurants, tech platforms, and diners, we have a choice: do we make it easier, or do we keep letting uncertainty rule the table?

For diners: don’t settle for doubt. Use tools (like TasteBuddy) that let you eat out with confidence.

For restaurants: don’t wait until it’s too late - becoming a verified advocate isn’t just good for people who need it. It’s simply good business.

And for all of us: share your stories. Tell us about times when you avoided a place because of dietary concerns, or times when a restaurant made you feel safe and welcome. Because every time we talk about this, every time we choose restaurants that mean it, we move the norm.

Download the TasteBuddy app now (Android or iOS) and dine without compromise.

Restaurants, step forward. Become a verified advocate today. Help build a world where everyone can eat out without fear.

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