Having a food allergy can be an irritating or even dangerous condition, which is why many adults choose to take dietary supplements as a way of maintaining good nutrition while side-stepping certain allergens. When it comes to ordering food in a restaurant, however, researchers say that customers should not rely on waitstaff to arrange a safe platter.

A study conducted in the UK and published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy determined that only about one-third of restaurant employees have been trained to recognize and work around food allergies.

After questioning workers from 90 sit-down establishments, the research team found that in 30 percent of kitchens, common food allergens like peanuts, eggs and seafood are not separated from other ingredients.

Furthermore, approximately 20 percent of surveyed waitstaff said that they believed eating only a small amount of a food allergen or picking it out of a meal would be safe enough for people with food intolerances.

In the U.S., 3 million children have allergies to certain foods, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.

Preventing dangerous reactions to ingredients may mean investing in vitamin supplements as a way to get one’s daily dose of vital nutrients.