Tagged With "label reading"
Blog Post
Read Every Label this Holiday Season
The holidays are a time of traditions and sharing food. Good food allergy management is especially important when sharing food. It includes reading every label, every time. Ingredients or manufacturing processes can change at any time. Manufacturers are not required to alert shoppers that ingredients or manufacturing processes have changed. The only way to know is to read the entire ingredient statement every time you shop. This is particularly important around the holidays when you may...
Comment
Re: Label Reading Reminder: Look Out for Similar Packaging or Separate Items Within a Package
Thank you for reminder to Read labels and not get relaxed on reading common products as safe. I am very worried about cupcakes label said PEANUT FREE Facility BUT...i never seen strawberry cupcakes so decided to read label it said nuts n pecans in ingredients...i s so glad i read ..my daughter is allergic to nuts ALL nut and i was taking them to school for LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SNACK TO CHANGE OUT THE TEACHERS SNACKS FOR SAFE TREATS ..SCARY!! AND im discusted the label said peanut free sticker...
Comment
Re: Label Reading Reminder: Look Out for Similar Packaging or Separate Items Within a Package
Hi Sunny - that sounds really scary and I'm so glad you checked the label so thoroughly. Peanut and tree nuts are different allergens, so something can be peanut free but not tree nut free...and vice versa. Thank you for the reminder to not make assumptions about labeling "claims" and always read the full ingredients label.
Blog Post
Label Reading Reminder: Look Out for Similar Packaging or Separate Items Within a Package
Label reading is a critical part of managing your child's food allergies. But it can often be confusing. For example, it's not uncommon for companies to sell food in similar packaging even though they have similar ingredients.
Blog Post
Tell Us Your Experiences With Finding Safe Foods for People With Food Allergies
What is your experience with finding safe foods for your child with food allergies? Help us advocate for better policies and customer service from food companies for people managing food allergies. Take this survey to share your insights and experiences finding safe foods.
Comment
Re: Label Reading Reminder: Look Out for Similar Packaging or Separate Items Within a Package
Wow, that was a great catch, Sunny! Does your daughter avoid both peanuts and tree nuts? Here's a great resource that's helped me understand labeling ... FAQ About the Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act . It was eye-opening how many exceptions there were!
Blog Post
Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
What You Need to Know About Food Labels to Remain Safe This Halloween The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) has greatly improved labeling for the 8 major allergens - milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nut, wheat, fish, and...
Blog Post
FDA: Foods Must Contain What Label States
FDA: Foods Must Contain What Label SaysFebruary 4, 2013 As someone who cares about what your family eats, you make it a practice when shopping to read the labels on food packages. And you have the right to expect that the information on the...
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Hi Colleen, I believe we are talking about the same issue. We are aware of the re-bagging issue--we included it under the Dum Dums/Spangler photo (second to last photo) and highlighted it as #3 at the top of the blog post: Quote: Quote: How parents choose to deal with this issue may vary. In our Halloween tips in other articles, we've shared ideas such as trading your child's bag of trick-or-treating candy for all safe candy, or for toys, etc. The tradition is sometimes called the Switch...
Blog Post
U.S. Updating Rules for Food Manufacturers With Food Allergies in Mind
Have you read about changes to U.S. food manufacturing practices? Are you confused? In this post, we explain some of the changes and what it means if you have food allergies. What Are Good Manufacturing Practices? The U.S. has rules that establish “Good Manufacturing Practices” (GMP) for food manufacturers to follow. These practices help to lessen the risk of danger to the public. They require manufacturers to follow good food hygiene and handling methods. Most facilities that manufacture...
Blog Post
Milk Allergy Warning: Hidden Places You May Find Milk
If your child is allergic to dairy, you probably already know the obvious foods to avoid. Ice cream. Yogurt. Milk and buttermilk. Cheese-covered chips and snacks. There are other foods that might surprise you, as well as non-food items.
Blog Post
Do the Food Allergen Labeling Laws Apply to Cosmetics?
From lip balm and shampoo to moisturizers and eye shadow, cosmetics are overseen by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Even though these products go on our lips and skin, the FDA provides a lot less oversight than you might expect. In fact, most of the time the government does not get involved until there is a problem. Here’s what you need to know. What are “cosmetics”? The government defines “cosmetics” based on how the product is meant to be used. Cosmetics are meant to be rubbed,...
Blog Post
It’s Time to Label Sesame a Major Allergen
For people with food allergies, accurate food labels are important. Ingredient labels became clearer when the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act went into effect in 2006 – at least for those allergic to one of the top eight major food allergens. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts and soybeans as major food allergens.
Blog Post
How to Check Ingredient Statements on Candy to Keep Loved Ones Safe
What You Need to Know About Food Labels to Remain Safe This Halloween Halloween candy can present risks for children with food allergies. Some parents choose to trade their child's candy for safe candy or for non-food treats and prizes. (The...
Blog Post
We Need Your Stories About USDA Allergen Labeling
Have you had trouble reading USDA food labels for top 8 allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish)? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Inspection Service regulates meat, poultry, processed egg products and certain foods that contain these products. AAFA needs your story about the challenges of reading these labels to submit to the USDA to prove the need for clearer allergen labeling for the top 8 allergens.
Blog Post
Label Change Alert: Hershey's Holiday Item from Sam's Club Packaged on Shared Equipment With Peanut
[From The Hershey Company] The Hershey Company has heard from many peanut- and tree-nut-allergic consumers about how much they love our milk chocolate Hershey-ets. Knowing that, the Hershey Company would like to let those managing a peanut and/or tree nut allergy know that they may see a Holiday item at Sam’s Club this season that consists of four individual bags of Hershey-ets and two individual bags of Reese’s Pieces. Although all Hershey-ets continue to be manufactured on equipment that...
Blog Post
Read Candy Labels to Keep Your Sweetheart Safe
Around Valentine's Day, others may offer candy or treats to your child with food allergies. Make sure your child knows not to accept or eat any candy unless a parent or trusted adult has verified that it is safe to eat. Many candies look similar but can have different ingredients and advisory warnings. Many smaller candies are sold in larger packages and do not have an ingredient label on the individual pieces. Remind your child to not eat any candy until you can carefully check the...
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Originally Posted by MACEMama: I came across a funky one while going through DS' candy tonight. I knew Tootsie Rolls have milk in them, but I was curiously reading the label while snacking on a lemon flavored one (habit ). Ingredients are: While the condensed skim milk does meet the plain English requirement for FALCPA labeling, the whey in it would not (as it is not clearly listed as "milk."). I wonder if it gets off on the technicality that it has another milk ingredient with the word milk...
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
If whey were the only milk-derived ingredient in it, it would still have to list MILK either in parentheses after the word whey (milk) or in an "Contains: Milk" statement. However, in this case, the common name (plain English) word Milk has already appeared once in the label and FALCPA says that the allergen only need to be declared once and doesn't have to be repeated with each derivative. See #1 on our FAQ on FALCPA as a reference:...
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
I came across a funky one while going through DS' candy tonight. I knew Tootsie Rolls have milk in them, but I was curiously reading the label while snacking on a lemon flavored one (habit ). Ingredients are: While the condensed skim milk does meet the plain English requirement for FALCPA labeling, the whey in it would not (as it is not clearly listed as "milk."). I wonder if it gets off on the technicality that it has another milk ingredient with the word milk in it.
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Hi Everyone I am new to this. I have heard that kids with life threatening allergies are eligable for disability tax credit in canada. Does anyone know anout this? Thanks Christine
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Hi Christine and I live in the UK so not much help with you question, but Wanted to tell you to hang in there and Someone will get back to you.We potentially have a no of members having difficulty getting online on the East coast of the US right now with the storm, but we do have members in Canada too who may be able to advise you Meanwhile have you looked at our starter guide yet ? There's a link at the end of my siggy
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Hi Christine! Welcome to KFA! We are glad you found us. I am not in Canada, but we do have a lot of Canadian members that deal with life threatening food allergies. You can try posting in on our Main Support Forum and they can assist you. Here is the link to the Main Forum: http://community.kidswithfooda...rum/forum/main_forum Just click on 'Post New Topic' to get started.
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Hi Colleen! We do the same thing with all the candy that DS gets on Halloween. Due to the issues with repackaging there's no way to know if the safe candy has residue on them (or whether the residue is from the various home owners that I see snacking on treats as they give out candy ), we usually just give all the candy away and we either trade it out via the "Switch Witch" or we weigh it and give DS money for it. He's happy either way! Welcome to KFA , and hoping your loved ones have a safe...
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
One thing not noted in the article is to take care with candies that are repackaged (such as Smarties, Tootsie Rolls). Often, they are repackaged by third parties that also package items with common allergens, such as nuts. This is technically a labelling issue, but it is something to be aware of with candy.
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Hi Yes - that is definitely an important point! We did include it as important point #3 at the top of this blog post (right above the image of the Snickers bar). It's worth restating again, though so thank you!
Comment
Re: Check Ingredient Statements on Halloween Candy
Sorry, I think you misunderstood me. What I was talking about is different than shared lines at a manufacturer's facility. I am talking about when a third party repackages a product like Dum Dums for a store such as Target, CVS, etc. This is done separate from the manufacturer's facility. Even though the candy may have been free of allergens when made and packaged in a manufacturer's facility. These repackaged items, cross-contamination is introduced when the it is rebagged by a third-party.
Comment
Re: Do the Food Allergen Labeling Laws Apply to Cosmetics?
I have learned of a company that uses non toxic chemicals and is transparent with the ingredients. They actually support labeling for the cosmetic industry.
Comment
Re: Do the Food Allergen Labeling Laws Apply to Cosmetics?
There's also www.KissFreely.com, free from top 8.
Blog Post
FDA Modernizes Nutrition Facts Label for Packaged Foods
Kids With Food Allergies is providing this information from the FDA so you can stay informed about changes in the Nutritional Facts label on packaged foods. Be aware this redesign does not change how allergens are labeled . Stay up-to-date on breaking news about food allergies, nutrition updates and allergy-friendly recipes and join or login to our community today! For Immediate Release May 20, 2016 Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took a major step in making sure consumers have...
Comment
Re: U.S. Updating Rules for Food Manufacturers With Food Allergies in Mind
It is encouraging to see these changes being made, and I hope we start to see a decline in the number of recalls we see along with better management and education of allergens within manufacturing facilities. I did not know that the FDA didn't have the ability to force a recall for mislabeled products and that it was up to the manufacturer, this is a move in the right direction for sure. To the facilities have to have procedures in place to ensure that their products are not cross...
Comment
Re: Do the Food Allergen Labeling Laws Apply to Cosmetics?
@texasgirl Just wondering what the company name was you had found ... DD has to avoid corn, and that can be hard for a girl who likes makeup as much as she does!
Comment
Re: Share Your Allergy Reactions to Sesame With the FDA
Thank you for posting this. When my son was allergic to sesame it was very frustrating to deal with the lack of awareness of sesame as a serious allergen. My son had multiple reactions as a young child and the survey only allowed me to report one reaction. I tried to click again and it would not let me take the survey again so I only reported one of the bunch of reactions to undeclared sesame he had.
Blog Post Featured
Share Your Allergy Reactions to Sesame With the FDA
Sesame allergy ranks ninth in prevalence behind the top 8 allergens. But manufacturers are not required to clearly label sesame on their products. It can even go unlabeled under terms like “spices” and “natural flavoring.” This is very distressing as reactions to sesame can be among the most severe for adults and children. We are asking community members who have had an adverse reaction to sesame, or care for someone who has, to share their story with the FDA.
Comment
Re: Share Your Allergy Reactions to Sesame With the FDA
Meghan P-K and LISA, thank you both for completing the survey! Your input will definitely help to reinforce the need for sesame to be included on labels. Thank you for sharing your kiddos' stories! Brenda
Comment
Re: Share Your Allergy Reactions to Sesame With the FDA
Yes, thank you for posting this and I am so glad and grateful that people are advocating for the addition of sesame as a "top 9" allergen! My daughter is severely allergic to sesame and it's frustrating to not have it labeled as an allergen. I completed the survey.
Comment
Re: What Progress Is Being Made to Improve Sesame Labeling?
On Nov. 28, 2018, we updated this post to include two new milestones in the timeline: 2018, November – AAFA meets with representatives of Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus to garner support for the inclusion of sesame on food labeling. 2018, November – Congressional Asthma and Allergy Caucus sends a letter prepared by AAFA to FDA Commissioner Gottlieb urging the addition of sesame to the list of major food allergens.
Blog Post
What Progress Is Being Made to Improve Sesame Labeling?
Sesame labeling has been a common topic in the news and our community recently. We wanted to give you an update on progress we’ve made advocating for better sesame labeling.
Blog Post
FDA Study Finds Milk in Most Dark Chocolate, No Matter What Label Says
This FDA Consumer Update sheds further light on the results of an FDA study on milk in dark chocolate shared previously . For more detail, read the study results . In This Update: Read ‘May’ as ‘Likely’ Not Quite...
Comment
Re: We Need Your Story About Sesame Labeling in the U.S.
I also want to add that sesame is also used in bath and body care products. It and mustard are incredibly hard allergens to stay away from because they could be "natural flavors" or "spices." We don't buy any processed foods or eat at restaurants. Bakeries have sesame seeds everywhere!
Comment
Re: We Need Your Story About Sesame Labeling in the U.S.
As a four month old, my son was diagnosed with sesame allergy. We attempted a food challenge with his allergist at age three years. He had "severe life-threatening reaction" (doctor's words) to the smallest dose, equal to about one seed. Continuing to avoid all "natural flavor" and " spice" when companies will not disclose ingredients to us is difficult. Now, as an almost nine year old, he has never eaten in a restaurant. Navigating these school aged years is difficult and handling...
Comment
Re: We Need Your Story About Sesame Labeling in the U.S.
My 9 yr old son is highly allergic to sesame and had a recent near anaphylaxis reaction to sesame consumption from a salad dressing that contained sesame but sesame wasn’t declared as an allergen.If we ever go out to restaurants to eat he can’t take bread and anything with secret spices and sometimes as simple as pasta dish as sesame is being used more abundantly nowadays.Pizza also is tough for the most part as flour for dough may have traces of sesame.Its a shame that we are far behind the...
Blog Post
We Need Your Story About Sesame Labeling in the U.S.
Have you had issues with undeclared sesame or sesame hiding in foods? We need your story to submit to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prove the need for allergen labeling for sesame in the U.S. Send us your examples of the following to advocacy@aafa.org . Foods with undeclared sesame - these are foods where a) “sesame” is not listed in the ingredients, and b) you confirmed separately that there is sesame in the product. Food labels where sesame is listed in the ingredients under an...
