Toronto Pearson Airport Allergy Guide

Overview

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is Canada's largest and busiest airport, handling around 50 million passengers each year. It has two terminals — Terminal 1 (Star Alliance and other carriers) and Terminal 3 (various carriers including WestJet). As a host airport for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expect increased international traffic. Canada has federal allergen labelling regulations that require pre-packaged food to declare priority allergens, and Ontario's food safety regulations require food service establishments to have allergen awareness training.

For the official airport website, visit torontopearson.com.

Official Resources

• Toronto Pearson Official Website
• Terminal Maps
• Dining & Shopping Directory

🍽️Key Food Directory

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Important

Chain restaurants often publish allergen menus and matrices online, which can make ordering easier. However, individual franchise locations may vary in their practices. Always confirm directly with staff before ordering.

Terminal 1

1. 1
   Tim Hortons — Canadian chain with published allergen information on their website; coffee, baked goods, and light meals
2. 2
   Starbucks — chain with published allergen information on their website and app
3. 3
   Swiss Chalet — Canadian chain with allergen information available on their website; rotisserie chicken with clearly labelled options
4. 4
   McDonald's — chain with published allergen information on their website and app
5. 5
   Paramount Fine Foods — Middle Eastern chain; ask staff for allergen details — sesame, dairy, and nuts common in Middle Eastern cuisine
6. 6
   Fresh — plant-based restaurant with allergen information available; known for accommodating dietary restrictions

Terminal 3

1. 1
   Tim Hortons — as above; published allergen matrix available
2. 2
   Burger King — chain with allergen information published on their website
3. 3
   Starbucks — as above
4. 4
   Hero Certified Burgers — Canadian chain; allergen information available on request
5. 5
   Manchu Wok — chain with allergen information available; Chinese-style food — be aware of soy, sesame, and nut use

🏢Airport Lounges

Toronto Pearson has numerous lounges accessible via Priority Pass, airline status, or day passes.

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Tip

Lounge buffets can be tricky for allergy sufferers as dishes may not be individually labelled. Ask the lounge reception desk for allergen information — many lounges can accommodate requests with advance notice.

• Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminals 1 and 3) — available via Priority Pass; varied food options, ask staff for allergen details
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (Terminal 1) — allergen information available on request from lounge staff
• WestJet Elevation Lounge (Terminal 3) — allergen information available on request

🏢Allergy-Friendly Tips for This Airport

• Canada's Food and Drug Regulations require pre-packaged foods to declare 11 priority allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, soy, wheat, mustard, and sulphites) — check labels on grab-and-go items
• Tim Hortons is everywhere at Pearson — their published allergen matrix is comprehensive and available online
• Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and this is reflected in the airport dining — cuisines from many cultures are available, which is great for variety but means a wider range of potential allergens
• Chain restaurants are your most reliable option for published allergen information at YYZ
• If you have severe allergies, consider packing your own food — CATSA allows solid food items through security
• Shoppers Drug Mart inside the airport stocks antihistamines and basic allergy medication without prescription
• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout both terminals — use it to check chain allergen menus before ordering

📋Before You Go

1. 1
   Check the Pearson Dining Directory to identify restaurants in your terminal
2. 2
   Look up allergen menus for your preferred chains before arriving (Tim Hortons, Swiss Chalet, and McDonald's all publish theirs online)
3. 3
   Download your free allergy translation card if flying internationally
4. 4
   Pack allergy-friendly snacks in your carry-on as a backup
5. 5
   Carry your allergy medication in your carry-on with a doctor's letter if needed