I am allergic to this.
'Allergico' — al-LER-ji-co. The 'gi' before 'co' is soft; stress on the second syllable.
Say this urgently at a restaurant if you see or suspect an allergen in your food. Always alert staff before ordering if you have serious food allergies.
'Sono allergico/a' — 'allergico' is masculine; use 'allergica' if you are female. The adjective agrees with the subject. 'A questo' (to this) is the preposition 'a' + demonstrative pronoun. For specific allergens: 'Sono allergico alle noci' (I am allergic to nuts).
Ho un'allergia alle noci.
I have a nut allergy.
Be specific about the allergen.
Contiene glutine questo piatto?
Does this dish contain gluten?
Ask specifically about an ingredient.
Posso avere un piatto senza latticini?
Can I have a dish without dairy?
Request a dish free from a specific ingredient.
EU Regulation 1169/2011 requires all Italian restaurants to inform customers about the 14 major allergens in their dishes. Staff must be able to answer allergen questions. Italian cuisine uses nuts (particularly in pesto and pastries), shellfish, and dairy extensively — always declare allergies explicitly.