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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

John lewis

26 replies

Rizzoli123 · 30/09/2021 20:21

I was in john Lewis today and ordered an oat milk hot chocolate

She went preference or allergy

I thought does it matter. I asked for a oat hot chocolate and that's what I should get.

Do you think she was to nosy. Did she need to know?

OP posts:
Arabelladrinkstea · 30/09/2021 20:22

The question would of been for your own safety - if an allergy I’m sure a different set of hygiene may have been followed

WhyOhWhyOhWhyyyy · 30/09/2021 20:23

I order oat milk a lot and have never had anyone ask, how odd, can only guess that maybe they take more precautions if it’s an allergy thing, maybe use a separate jug Confused

caffeinebuzz · 30/09/2021 20:23

It probably won't change what you get, but it might change how much effort she has to go to to avoid cross-contamination.

It is interesting though, I often order dairy alternates (through preference) and have never been asked.

SleepingStandingUp · 30/09/2021 20:24

Was she making friendly chat or did she pause to ask you before she did your drink?

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 30/09/2021 20:25

The cocoa powder could have dairy in it?

mynameiscalypso · 30/09/2021 20:25

It might not be suitable for someone with a dairy allergy - I know that my DF (who is a coeliac) is often asked the same question and there are things where it's impossible to avoid cross-contamination so he's advised that they aren't suitable for him.

Pootles34 · 30/09/2021 20:27

Yup it will be a safety thing - allergy means you must cut out any cross contamination, and check everything like the chocolate powder etc for dairy.

tobedtoMNandfart · 30/09/2021 20:32

I'd be very surprised if this doesn't coincide with Natasha's Law which goes live 3/10/21.
Although it relates to packaged goods both JL & Waitrose are firming all of their procedures in line with it.
Try not to be annoyed. Her parents have campaigned hard and that poor girl did not die in vain if we all do a better job of making ALL ingredients readily available to all customers.

Justwalkyourfineassoutthedoor · 30/09/2021 20:33

Most John Lewis café’s are not allergy safe due to cross contamination so she would have been asking so she could advise you of this if you had an allergy.

Wilkolampshade · 30/09/2021 20:33

It's an allergy thing OP, my DD explained it (she works somewhere the batista does this)... Something about cross contamination?

ZoBo123 · 30/09/2021 20:35

Would it not be because there could be dairy in the other ingredients not just the milk so she would be able to advise you and provide an alternative drink if it could cause an allergic reaction.

Blackkoala · 30/09/2021 20:37

It’s not because she’s judging you, it’s because she needs to know how careful to be about cross contamination. My BIL is a barista and if they’re serving someone with an allergy they have to follow certain practices which don’t apply if it’s just a preference.

NewMutiny · 30/09/2021 20:38

Obviously it is a safety thing. I have soya milk and I get asked this all the time and it's a preference so I also have chocolate sprinkles.

I assume that if I were with my friend who has an anaphylactic reaction to dairy they would say they they couldn't serve her because their processes don't allow that (perhaps a siren/flashing lights would go off and the counter would clang shut?)

How weird that you'd think the person just wanted to know this for their own personal reasons Grin

Dobbyismyabsolutefav · 30/09/2021 20:44

I think this definitely a new thing as I've been asked this exact same question in the last month or so. I'm a coeliac so ask for gluten free but until recently I've never been asked if it was just a preference.

BananaPB · 30/09/2021 20:45

Just asked my barista dd and she said there's a different hot chocolate powder for vegans and allergic people

Billandben444 · 30/09/2021 20:47

I'd have been impressed she was safeguarding me not offended - sensitive or what.

Ariela · 30/09/2021 20:49

@Justwalkyourfineassoutthedoor

Most John Lewis café’s are not allergy safe due to cross contamination so she would have been asking so she could advise you of this if you had an allergy.
^WSS
thecatmother · 30/09/2021 20:49

Google Natasha's Law. My ex MIL works for JL , and all the food service areas are legally obliged to follow it from tomorrow. It might have been that your barrister was just vigilant and making sure that they are compliant.

whatwouldsueheckdo · 30/09/2021 20:51

Brilliant, good for them. Reassures me that they would take my allergy and DP’s coeliac disease seriously.
And yes, I’ve been asked the same question several times in relation to my allergy in cafes and restaurants.

mustlovegin · 30/09/2021 20:51

I agree, most likely a question regarding safety

PegasusReturns · 30/09/2021 20:52

It’s safety.

worrybutterfly · 30/09/2021 20:55

I am often asked. I'm glad they do rather than risk it.

It's usually because of one of two things, the chocolate contains milk powder, or because of contamination from the frother/wand.

EvilRingahBitch · 30/09/2021 20:55

Really important question if the machinery/processes/hot chocolate powder might contain dairy. I think everyone who orders dairy replacements is going to have to get used to answering this.

INeedNewShoes · 30/09/2021 20:56

I'm mildly allergic to soya and have an issue that sometimes my coffee gets contaminated with small amounts of soya milk. I'm guessing it's that they use the same milk steamer or same jug for the dairy/non dairy milk.

My DD is allergic to dairy so if I order her an oat milk hot chocolate I specifically mention that she's allergic so that they know that the equipment needs to be clean.

Choice4567 · 30/09/2021 21:02

I’ve been asked this in lots of cafes, certainly not exclusive to John Lewis

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