Last month, I heard about a new food allergy recipe e-book on Twitter. Did you hear about it? It's 31 Dairy Free, Egg Free, Nut Free Indian Recipes by Sadia Karim. According to the "author spotlight", Sadia is the mother of a child with multiple food allergies. I don't know about you, but I do love Indian food! The e-book is available for purchase for $9.95 on lulu.com. Sounds very tempting!
25 February 2013
22 February 2013
Open Letter to Oreo
Dear Oreo,
Most of the questions pertain to the presence of peanuts and tree nuts. It's easy enough to read the ingredient list on the package but the mystery lies in what goes on at the factory where Oreos are made. Other consumers like me have probably noticed the Peanut Butter Creme Oreos, Double Stuf Peanut Butter Creme Oreos, and Peanut Butter Oreo Fudge Cremes on supermarket shelves. It's not surprising that consumers managing peanut and nut allergies wonder: are "regular" and non-peanut butter Oreos made on the same machines or in the same facility as these peanut butter varieties?
I have written to Oreo a few times over the years and received a helpful reply in 2012, but it still left unanswered questions about the presence of tree nuts in the Oreo production facility and Oreo production lines as well as which, if any, of the non-peanut butter varieties of Oreos are produced in a facility where peanuts or peanut-containing products are present. For individuals managing food allergies, risk of cross-contamination is important since some individuals do react to trace amounts of their allergen-to-avoid. A research study in 2007, entitled Consumer attitudes and risks associated with packaged foods having advisory labeling regarding the presence of peanuts determined that 6.5% of pre-packaged foods made in shared facilities contain peanut protein.
Every day, more than 10% of the visitors to Food Allergy Buzz come in search of allergen information about Oreos. On any given day, they may search for:
Oreo and peanut/treenut allergy
Oreo food allergy information
Oreo unsafe food production
Oreos peanut free
Do Oreos contain nuts
Are Oreos peanut tree nut free
Are Oreo cookies made with tree nuts
Most of the questions pertain to the presence of peanuts and tree nuts. It's easy enough to read the ingredient list on the package but the mystery lies in what goes on at the factory where Oreos are made. Other consumers like me have probably noticed the Peanut Butter Creme Oreos, Double Stuf Peanut Butter Creme Oreos, and Peanut Butter Oreo Fudge Cremes on supermarket shelves. It's not surprising that consumers managing peanut and nut allergies wonder: are "regular" and non-peanut butter Oreos made on the same machines or in the same facility as these peanut butter varieties?
I am hoping this public letter to Oreo will help draw attention to these questions. It would be immensely helpful for those managing peanut and nut allergies, as well as other food allergies, to be able to access more information about the presence of top 8 allergens at the Oreo manufacturing facility. Ingredient information isn't really enough, especially when there are so many peanut butter varieties of Oreos. I'd be pleased to help Oreo put these questions to rest once and for all. After all, Oreos are "America's Favorite Cookie"!
Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.
With kind regards,
Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com
www.peanutfreebaseball.com
20 February 2013
Life with Food Allergies: Non-allergic Siblings
One of the challenges of life with food allergies which is not talked about too frequently is the effect of food allergies on the non-allergic siblings of children with food allergies. From time to time, my non-allergic son expresses a bit of frustration about it. Personally, having a peanut-free, nut-free home does not bother me in the slightest. I do not miss nuts or peanuts at all because the horror of seeing my younger son struggle as his throat began to close up in an allergic reaction years ago really makes me want to completely avoid nuts and peanuts as though they were poison.
Of course, I grew up eating all of these tasty snacks and junk foods which I now ban from my home, and I think that makes it easier for me to not miss them. I know what they taste like. There's no mystery for me like there is for my older son. So, older brother sees the other kids eating these foods and naturally wants to try them. Most don't even actually contain peanuts or tree nuts as ingredients, but they are "may contains". My approach is to buy those snacks (ice creams, cookies and other snacks) for him and make an equivalent treat for younger brother who has allergies. I will not buy food containing nuts or peanuts but have no problem buying all those "may contains" items so he can try them and enjoy them occasionally. It always impresses me how younger brother has helped his older brother choose a tasty treat even though he couldn't enjoy it himself. He says "I can imagine how that will taste. I would get that one. I can almost taste it with my eyes."
I feel like this practice of buying some of the forbidden snacks makes it easier for my son who does not have food allergies to abide by his brother's dietary restrictions. There still is some residual frustration because of the special attention warranted by the trifecta of eczema, asthma and food allergies. There's separate shampoo, soap, moisturizers, extra medicines, extra visits to the doctor and more days missed out of school, not to mention special snacks from dedicated facilities that cost more and sometimes have to be ordered just for younger brother. There is an undeniable sense of "special" treatment and there isn't really a way to eliminate that. His health does require more attention than a typical child's. I try to emphasize to both of my children that every one has their challenges, some are physical or medical, others are not. It doesn't make one more special than the other. Every one is unique.
I would love to see some more written about the siblings of children with food allergies. It does affect the whole family and there are some pretty remarkable and supportive siblings out there. I have been really impressed with how my older son looks out for his brother. He has been the one to sound the alarm about potential exposure more than once, in my absence, and he was spot on! He "gets" it and I know I can count on him.
Here are some of the articles and blog posts I have found which discuss the topic of siblings without food allergies, and how to try to find balance and help ensure each child feels included and special.
Siblings and Food Allergies by FAAN (now FARE)
Balancing Needs When a Sibling Has Food Allergies by Kids with Food Allergies
Food Allergies and Balance: Non-allergic Sibs by Jenny, http://nut-freemom.blogspot.com
10 Things Your Non-allergic Child Is Thinking by Gina Clowes
Taking Care of Non-Allergic Siblings by Erin of http://erinsearful.blogspot.com
Do you know of other helpful articles or blog posts about finding balance with siblings with and without food allergies? I'd love to hear what strategies have worked for you! Please share in a comment below.
15 February 2013
Food Allergy News: Kids with Food Allergies Merges with Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Big news this week! Kids with Food Allergies is merging with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. I think it is the start of something beautiful. Imagine what these two groups can get done together! The KFA website will still continue running, as well as everything KFA currently does, but they will begin operating as a division of AAFA. The union promises many opportunities for collaboration and growth, and sharing of the excellent resources both organizations have developed.
For additional information, please take a look at the below links:
Press Release
FAQs
For additional information, please take a look at the below links:
Press Release
FAQs
13 February 2013
Food Allergy Consumer Product Review: Eleni's Cookies of NYC
Have you heard of Eleni's Cookies of NYC? Eleni's cookies are not what you think of when you think of cookies or even bakery cookies. They are fancy hand-iced cookies that come in incredible designs. The icing designs are really cookie works of art. You may have seen their Oscar cookies which feature hand-iced portraits of Hollywood celebrities.
Back in 2010, Eleni's switched to being a nut-free, peanut-free facility. They have a no nuts/peanuts policy for employees and visitors and also use environmental testing swabs to test for the presence of peanuts and tree nuts. Eleni's is also Kosher.
They recently contacted Food Allergy Buzz for us to try their new Color Me cookies. The Color Me cookie line is fantastic for kids. What sets them apart from any other nut-free/peanut-free cookies? You can color ON the cookies! We received a lovely package with a box containing 4 iced heart-shaped cookies and a set of markers with nut-free, peanut-free edible ink. What a great gift, and such fun for the kids!
We also had the opportunity to try Eleni's new crisps cookies, which are available from Eleni's website and stores and also at some Whole Foods Markets stores in the New York Area. We tried two flavors: chocolate chip and oatmeal chocolate chip. These thin, crispy cookies taste great. The chocolate chip variety was our favorite.
The FAB Review: Color Me Collection
Dedicated facility: Yes. Peanut-free, nut-free, Kosher facility.
Appearance: Eye-catching, pretty packaging. Perfectly shaped/perfectly iced cookies that were easy to draw on with the edible ink markers.
Taste: Sweet buttery sugar cookies. The icing was perfect--not too sweet.
Texture: Crunchy.
Convenience: Available online at http://elenis.com. Price varies depending on item chosen.
Buy again? Yes, perhaps as a gift for someone else, especially with children.
The FAB Review: Crisps Collection
Back in 2010, Eleni's switched to being a nut-free, peanut-free facility. They have a no nuts/peanuts policy for employees and visitors and also use environmental testing swabs to test for the presence of peanuts and tree nuts. Eleni's is also Kosher.
They recently contacted Food Allergy Buzz for us to try their new Color Me cookies. The Color Me cookie line is fantastic for kids. What sets them apart from any other nut-free/peanut-free cookies? You can color ON the cookies! We received a lovely package with a box containing 4 iced heart-shaped cookies and a set of markers with nut-free, peanut-free edible ink. What a great gift, and such fun for the kids!
We also had the opportunity to try Eleni's new crisps cookies, which are available from Eleni's website and stores and also at some Whole Foods Markets stores in the New York Area. We tried two flavors: chocolate chip and oatmeal chocolate chip. These thin, crispy cookies taste great. The chocolate chip variety was our favorite.
The FAB Review: Color Me Collection
Dedicated facility: Yes. Peanut-free, nut-free, Kosher facility.
Appearance: Eye-catching, pretty packaging. Perfectly shaped/perfectly iced cookies that were easy to draw on with the edible ink markers.Taste: Sweet buttery sugar cookies. The icing was perfect--not too sweet.
Texture: Crunchy.
Convenience: Available online at http://elenis.com. Price varies depending on item chosen.
Buy again? Yes, perhaps as a gift for someone else, especially with children.
FYI: Eleni's has a special now, 40% off with the code COLORME40 at checkout.
The FAB Review: Crisps Collection
Dedicated facility: Yes. Peanut-free, nut-free, Kosher facility.
Appearance: Attractive neat little boxes, containing plastic see-thru cylinder holding cookies. Perfectly round cookies.
Taste: Tasty! Hard to eat just one.
Texture: Crunchy and crispy, as promised.
Convenience: Available at Eleni's stores, online at http://elenis.com, and also in some Whole Foods Markets in the New York area. $5.95 for a box of 6 cookies.
Buy again? Yes.
11 February 2013
Food Allergy News Bit: New Epinephrine Injector & Delivery System Being Developed
Maria Pitallano and Erin Fong, two industrial designers, have come up with a new personal epinephrine injector and epinephrine public injector system: the Epi Inject. Their personal epinephrine injector design won a SPARK International Concept Award in 2011.
They are seeking financial support to help pay for the patent for their two designs and are hoping to partner with a pharmaceutical company. To read more about their work or to contribute toward the patents, please visit the Epi Inject page on indiegogo.
To my untrained eye, the personal injector reminds me of the photos of Auvi-Q I have seen, though I have not seen the Epi Inject or Auvi-Q in person. Personally, I am very intrigued by the public Epi Inject. I wonder if that would be a good tool for restaurants to have on hand.
What do you think?
Here are some additional sites with information on Maria and Erin's project:
YANKO DESIGN:
http://www.yankodesign.com/
SPARK AWARDS (won both Spark! and Gold award):
http://www.sparkawards.com/
http://www.sparkawards.com/
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS:
http://www.cca.edu/academics/
COROFLOT:
http://www.coroflot.com/
TREND HUNTER:
http://www.trendhunter.com/
04 February 2013
Food Allergy Friendly Valentine's Day Find: Allergy Friendly Valentine Cookie House Kit
My sons and I were the happy recipients of a lovely package from A & J Bakery. We enjoyed heart shaped gumdrops, cinnamon red jellybeans and spring colored jellybeans, which all were free of the top 8 allergens. We sampled chocolate chunk cookies which were free of the top 8 except soy (YUM!) and are in the middle of working on the item pictured above--an allergy friendly Valentine's Day cookie house kit! This is such an adorable food allergy friendly Valentines Day treat and activity all in one, and the whole family can work on it! It is free of tree nuts, peanuts, gluten, wheat, egg, dairy, sesame and soy. It comes with instruction and 2 recipes for the icing needed for assembly, as well as edible and non-edible decorations. Cost: $26.95. The candy is $4.95 per bag. (I think it is 16 ounces, but I am double-checking with the bakery to be sure on the size/weight.)
Joe and Amy are almost like scientists the way they figure out ways to make the goodies everyone likes free of as many of the most common allergens as possible while still maintaining the texture, taste, and appearance we want. Way to go, A & J!
Photos of our completed Valentine's Day house will be online in the next few days! (Keep in mind it'll be the combined effort of one non-artsy mom and 2 school boys who not so long ago competed to see who can burp more of the alphabet.)
