As a PTO president, I really appreciated, and loved, this article showing an Ohio school offering allergy-friendly food at their annual PTO Pancake Breakfast.
The PTO noted that over 175 children in their schools deal with food allergies, and that these children, and their families, are often excluded from food events. They will have a pre-sale for allergy meals and will offer a separate menu and designated food preparation area.
Great idea, Hudson PTO!
I hope you raise tons of money at your Pancake Breakfast and that other schools follow your lead!
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Friday, 12 February 2010
Food Allergy Research and Resource Program
...or otherwise known as FAARP...has been around since 1995. Based out of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, FAARP has two missions:
To develop and provide the food industry with credible information, expert opinions, tools, and services relating to allergenic foods.
To develop and provide the agricultural biotechnology industry with credible information, expert opinions, tools, and services relating to novel foods and food ingredients including genetically modified products.
FAARP collaborates with others to share their experience and knowledge to improve the safety of food products for consumers with food allergies and sensitivities.
They also have a website full of great info ranging from general food allergy info to training programs for food manufacturing companies.
Check out FAARP
I love knowing that FAARP was created to ensure safety when it comes to allergenic food. They've got our back in a quiet unassuming way.
To develop and provide the food industry with credible information, expert opinions, tools, and services relating to allergenic foods.
To develop and provide the agricultural biotechnology industry with credible information, expert opinions, tools, and services relating to novel foods and food ingredients including genetically modified products.
FAARP collaborates with others to share their experience and knowledge to improve the safety of food products for consumers with food allergies and sensitivities.
They also have a website full of great info ranging from general food allergy info to training programs for food manufacturing companies.
Check out FAARP
I love knowing that FAARP was created to ensure safety when it comes to allergenic food. They've got our back in a quiet unassuming way.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Follow-up: Food Allergies and Disney
Remember my interview in April with Lissa, blog writer for RFAK (Raising Food Allergic Kids)? I wanted to let you know that Lissa has combined her passions for food allergies and Disney World to become an authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
She's started a new site, My Magic Journeys, to help Disney travelers plan the perfect vacation. Lissa's expertise is Disney travel for those with special dietary needs. She's done all the research and taken out all the worry.
Check out Lissa's site the next time you're considering an Adventures By Disney package, a trip to Disney World or Disneyland, or a Disney Cruise.
Watching your milk, egg and peanut allergic child eat at a Disney character meal...priceless!
She's started a new site, My Magic Journeys, to help Disney travelers plan the perfect vacation. Lissa's expertise is Disney travel for those with special dietary needs. She's done all the research and taken out all the worry.
Check out Lissa's site the next time you're considering an Adventures By Disney package, a trip to Disney World or Disneyland, or a Disney Cruise.
Watching your milk, egg and peanut allergic child eat at a Disney character meal...priceless!
Monday, 8 February 2010
Kissing and Food Allergies
With the approach of Valentine's Day, attention turns once again to the risk of kissing for those with a food allergy. The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology recently released a statement about the risks.
So, what are the risks, you ask?
Studies have been conducted to find out how long peanut protein from peanut butter stays in salivia. Several hours, it turns out. It does not appear that rinsing, teeth brushing or chewing gum has any effect. The recommendation is to wait several hours and even eat an allergen-free meal before kissing someone with a peanut allergy.
No other allergens have been tested at this time. Researchers note that cosmetics and lip sticks sometimes contain nut oils and that the nut allergic should be cautious of people who use these products as well.
Now we're talking, intimate kissing here. Probably not a quick peck on the cheek from Grandma (unless she's wearing nut-oil laden lipstick.
This is going to require some delicate conversation with our teenagers- food allergic or not. Check out the report.
I wonder if this is part of the sex education curriculum?
So, what are the risks, you ask?
Studies have been conducted to find out how long peanut protein from peanut butter stays in salivia. Several hours, it turns out. It does not appear that rinsing, teeth brushing or chewing gum has any effect. The recommendation is to wait several hours and even eat an allergen-free meal before kissing someone with a peanut allergy.
No other allergens have been tested at this time. Researchers note that cosmetics and lip sticks sometimes contain nut oils and that the nut allergic should be cautious of people who use these products as well.
Now we're talking, intimate kissing here. Probably not a quick peck on the cheek from Grandma (unless she's wearing nut-oil laden lipstick.
This is going to require some delicate conversation with our teenagers- food allergic or not. Check out the report.
I wonder if this is part of the sex education curriculum?
Friday, 5 February 2010
Food Allergies in Infants Double
A recent study in Australia watched 5000 infants to determine how many of them will develop a food allergy before the age of one.
The result startled researchers when it came in at double what was expected. Eight percent of infants developed food allergy reactions from hives to facial swelling to anaphylaxis. Egg allergy, followed by peanut, was most commonly found.
Hopefully, studies like this will lead to more research and information for pregnant and breast feeding mothers about what they may eat and when to start introducing foods to their babies. This has been a source of confusion for parents for too many years.
Have any young mom readers gotten helpful advice from their doctors when it comes to food allergies and babies? How about really bad advice? I remember my pediatrician telling me to "wait a few months" before taking my 10-month old to an allergist. When I reported hives and other skin problems after giving him yogurt, cheese and other dairy products, she said he was "too young to have allergies".
I followed my gut and took him to an allergist. He had multiple and severe food allergies to milk and a long list of other foods.
I found a new pediatrician too.
The result startled researchers when it came in at double what was expected. Eight percent of infants developed food allergy reactions from hives to facial swelling to anaphylaxis. Egg allergy, followed by peanut, was most commonly found.
Hopefully, studies like this will lead to more research and information for pregnant and breast feeding mothers about what they may eat and when to start introducing foods to their babies. This has been a source of confusion for parents for too many years.
Have any young mom readers gotten helpful advice from their doctors when it comes to food allergies and babies? How about really bad advice? I remember my pediatrician telling me to "wait a few months" before taking my 10-month old to an allergist. When I reported hives and other skin problems after giving him yogurt, cheese and other dairy products, she said he was "too young to have allergies".
I followed my gut and took him to an allergist. He had multiple and severe food allergies to milk and a long list of other foods.
I found a new pediatrician too.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Fundraiser for Food Allergy Research
It's heartwarming to see what kids can do. Siblings Hunter and Sydney (ages 10 and 8 respectively) decided to raise money for food allergy research. They filed with the state of Florida to start a new non-profit company called Pots of Love.
The company makes flower pots... well sort of. The young entrepreneurs thought businesses could use a unique holder for pens and pencils so patrons wouldn't accidentally take the writing tools. So, they purchased containers from local thrift shops and filled them with pinto beans for "dirt". Then they wrap pens and pencils with silk flowers and greenery and "plant" them in the pot. No one would accidentally walk away with that!
Hunter and Sydney set a goal to make $1000 for food allergy research. They aren't taking any money for their efforts, so 100% of what they make goes to research.
Check out Pots of Love and consider purchasing a flower pot or making a direct donation.
Way to go, Hunter and Sydney!
The company makes flower pots... well sort of. The young entrepreneurs thought businesses could use a unique holder for pens and pencils so patrons wouldn't accidentally take the writing tools. So, they purchased containers from local thrift shops and filled them with pinto beans for "dirt". Then they wrap pens and pencils with silk flowers and greenery and "plant" them in the pot. No one would accidentally walk away with that!
Hunter and Sydney set a goal to make $1000 for food allergy research. They aren't taking any money for their efforts, so 100% of what they make goes to research.
Check out Pots of Love and consider purchasing a flower pot or making a direct donation.
Way to go, Hunter and Sydney!
Monday, 1 February 2010
Nut Free Chocolate for Valentine's Day
February has arrived and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Those of us who can't pull a box of chocolates off the shelf at the grocery store need to allow shipping time.
It's time...
Check out this article I posted for Suite 101 for a listing of places to get nut free Valentine's Day candy. Many are dairy and egg free as well.
At least most of us don't need to worry about melted chocolate arriving on our doorstep...
It's time...
Check out this article I posted for Suite 101 for a listing of places to get nut free Valentine's Day candy. Many are dairy and egg free as well.
At least most of us don't need to worry about melted chocolate arriving on our doorstep...
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