As an owner of a website that deals with many unusual food allergies, I feel inclined to comment. I do understand that the bottom line is profit. However, there is some things you can do that can accommodate those special needs so that they at least have something they can eat.
1) Rice is GF and in its raw form keeps for ages. It's also Top 12 Common food allergy free in most countries, except probably Asia.
2) Most diabetics would be better of going Vegan. It will reverse their diabetes as well. A quick "Ice Milk" substitute for Ice Cream can be made with low sugar flavouring, ice cubes and milk blended in a blender.
3) Tofu can be frozen, then unthawed as needed. I'd slice them into thin cubes first before freezing. Sure, the texture changes, but most Vegan's/Vegetarians won't mind.
4) A quick Onion/Garlic Free tomato sauce can be made by simply tossing tomatoes in a blender then adding in Sweet Basil, cilantro and rosemary. Add in a little cayenne and pour over rice and you have a quick GF spaghetti on the cheap.
5) Nightshade free too? Puree beets and carrots instead. 3 part beets to 1 part carrots, approximately. Use Ginger in place of the cayenne. Add in extra Sweet basil (gives it a meatier taste too!), plus cilantro (or oregano) and rosemary, and you're done.
The Numbers:
1) MOST people who are anaphylactic do not dare eat out because they have been in and out of hospitals due to cross-contamination issues and can't risk having to use an epi-pen one more time, as it might be their last. This is why you don't see most of them.
2) Celiac/ GF people can very easily be accommodated. Tinkyada's rice noodles can be kept on hand and do not need refrigeration. Also, they are the number one ranked GF noodle. I've yet to find a GF person who didn't rave about them. However, most GF people are unaware of restaurants that accommodate GF people. One website is trying to rectify this and get the word out.
3) 1 in 250 people have a rare food allergy. And, many people with common allergies also has a rare food allergy or intolerance. However, most people with a rare food allergy, who does not have any other food allergies/intoelrances are unaware of their allergy because have never ate the vegetable and have refused to eat it. I avoided Radishes for many a year. As an adult, I took a couple sips of a pop with radish in it, and had a mild anaphylactic reaction. It required inhaler and antihistamine. I now carry an epi-pen. I did not know I was allergic to radish.
4) Not everyone who is special needs, is actually from your town. Sometimes, they are on holiday or on business. It would be brilliant if more restaurant owners could understand this and come up with 1 item we can eat.
Being allergic/ severely intolerant to the entire Mustard/Cabbage family, Avian family, Lily family, GF and Beef and loving to travel, I find eating out a lesson in intolerance. However, I do not expect with my allergies/intolerance to get a awesome meal. I'd be happy if I could just get GF Fish and baked potato. Rice would be really cool as most places aren't going to have GF noodles. I would even be happy with head lettuce slopped on a plate and called food. Tomatoes would be an added bonus. Yes, I DO react to too many foods. LOL
