How OpenPlate Works

OpenPlate provides structured, community-driven decision support for people who require strict gluten avoidance.

OpenPlate does not provide medical advice and does not certify venues. It organises verified community reports into consistent structural categories to support informed dining decisions.

Structural tiers

Structural tiers reflect reported kitchen systems and operational controls — not food quality and not medical guarantees.

For mixed kitchens, OpenPlate evaluates reported practices across four operational domains:

• Cross-contact controls
• Staff knowledge and communication
• Menu accuracy
• Fryer separation

Tiers are determined by structured report logic and may be capped by unresolved safety concerns.

Map marker guide

Dedicated Gluten-Free

Well Prepared

Some Safeguards

Higher Risk

Not Enough Data

Markers reflect reported kitchen structure — not medical guarantees.

Evidence and corroboration

• Only a user's most recent report per venue contributes to tier calculations.
• Higher structural tiers require corroborated reports from multiple independent diners.
• Red-flag reports may cap or downgrade tiers depending on severity and recency.
• Tier strength reflects structural consistency over time, not review volume.

Safety Concern Overlay

A safety concern overlay is triggered when two or more independent reports within 90 days indicate serious cross-contact risks (e.g. unclear controls, menu discrepancies, dismissive responses).

Safety concerns may temporarily cap or downgrade structural tiers until corroborating positive reports are received.

This system prioritises recent, independent evidence.

Confidence levels

• Limited data
• Growing data
• Established data
• High confidence

Confidence reflects data sufficiency — not safety. A venue may demonstrate strong reported systems but still have limited confidence if report volume is low.

Important

Dining with coeliac disease always involves individual risk considerations. OpenPlate supports structured decision-making — it does not replace direct communication with venues.

Users are encouraged to:

• Ask staff questions
• Confirm preparation practices
• Make decisions aligned with their individual medical advice

Contribute

Community reporting strengthens structural accuracy.

Sign in to check in, record outcomes, or contribute updated information. Your contributions improve clarity for everyone.