How to Handle Dietary Accommodations at Corporate Events

# How to Handle Dietary Accommodations at Corporate Events You order 200 nasi goreng for your corporate event. Then you find out 30 attendees are vegetarian, 15 have nut allergies, and 10 follow halal requirements that your caterer did not properly follow. Dietary accommodations are not optional. They are essential. Here is how to handle them properly. ## Why dietary accommodations matter **Health:** Allergic reactions can be life-threatening. Dietary restrictions are often medical, not preference. **Respect:** Ignoring dietary needs shows disrespect for attendees' beliefs, health, and choices. **Legal:** In some cases, failing to accommodate dietary needs can create liability. **Business:** When people feel their needs are respected, they have a better experience and a better impression of your company. ## Common dietary requirements in Jakarta ### Religious **Halal:** Most Indonesians require halal food. Ensure your caterer is certified. **Kosher:** Some international attendees may require kosher options. **Hindu/Buddhist:** Some may avoid beef or certain ingredients. ### Health-related **Allergies:** Nuts, dairy, gluten, shellfish, eggs, soy. These can be life-threatening. **Diabetes:** Sugar-free options needed. **Celiac disease:** Gluten-free options required. **Heart conditions:** Low-sodium, low-fat options. ### Personal choices **Vegetarian:** No meat, but may eat dairy and eggs. **Vegan:** No animal products at all. **Keto:** High-fat, low-carb. **Paleo:** No processed foods, grains, or dairy. ## How to collect dietary information ### During registration Add a dietary requirements field to your registration form: "What are your dietary requirements? (Vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergies, other)" "Please list any food allergies you have." "Do you have any religious dietary requirements?" ### Follow up If someone indicates dietary needs, follow up directly: Confirm their specific requirements. Ask about severity of allergies. Provide information about what will be available. ## Working with caterers ### Communication Be clear and specific about requirements: Provide a list of all dietary needs. Explain the severity of allergies (life-threatening vs preference). Ask about cross-contamination prevention. ### Verification Verify halal certification if required. Ask about allergen management practices. Request ingredient lists for all dishes. Confirm separate preparation areas for allergy-free food. ### Backup plans Have backup options available. Know which dishes accommodate which dietary needs. Have plain options for those with multiple restrictions. ## Labeling and communication ### At the event Label every dish clearly: List all ingredients. Highlight common allergens. Use symbols for quick identification. Include the dish name in Bahasa Indonesia and English. ### Signage Post dietary information prominently: Show which dishes are vegetarian, vegan, halal, etc. List allergen information. Provide contact information for questions. ## Common mistakes **Assuming halal covers everything:** Halal does not mean vegetarian or allergen-free. **Not asking:** Always ask about dietary needs. Do not assume. **Cross-contamination:** Even trace amounts can trigger allergies. Take this seriously. **Last-minute changes:** Dietary needs should be collected weeks in advance, not days. **No backup:** Always have alternative options available. ## How EO Jakarta handles this We collect dietary requirements during registration. We communicate all needs to caterers in advance. We verify halal certification and allergen management. We label all food clearly at the event. We have backup options for every dietary need. --- Need help with dietary accommodations for your event? [Contact EO Jakarta](/request-proposal). We ensure every attendee is properly fed.