Shopping Tips For Those With Peanut Allergy

A peanut allergy can be life threatening. There are about 6 million children in North America alone, who have this form of allergy. It pays to be careful as peanuts can be used as an ingredient in several food products. Being diligent about food safety can help protect your child or yourself from unnecessary peanut allergy attacks.

Prior to purchasing any food items, it is important that you read food labels. Please also note that not all food product labels may be accurate. Still, it is better to read what the packaging says than not at all. Some manufacturers may change their ingredients from time to time; so it is important that you read food labels every time or at least regularly before making a purchase.

If you or your child has a peanut allergy, it s wise to avoid all peanut and tree nut products including almonds, almond extract, beer nuts, cacahueta, cacahuete, baking mixes, arachide, arachis oil, artificial nuts, brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, cookies, deep-fried foods, earth nuts, food additive 322 – lechithins – may be peanut, frangipane, hazelnuts, goobers, goober nuts, peanut butter, peanut flour, peanut oil,goober peas, ground nuts, ground nut oil,hickory nuts, hydrolyzed plant/vegetable protein, imitation nuts, macadamia, mandelonas, ice cream, frozen treats, margarine, marzipan, mixed nuts, monkey nuts, new nuts, nougat, nut butters/spreads, peanut, pecans, pesto, pine nuts, pistachios, praline, nut oil, nut paste, nut pieces, nu-nuts, nutmeat, satay sauce, sauces (various), vegetable oil, and also walnuts.

If you have any family member with a peanut or nut allergy, it is best that you keep your home free from any items that contain any of the above ingredients. You do not want to expose your family member to the risk of a mishap happening.

Ensure that you totally rid of home of any nut products. Food products that do not contain lablling or any original labeling should not be kept. Start in one room and work your way through the entire house. There are obvious nut products in the kitchen so that is a good place to start. Get rid of all the obvious nut products first such as that jar of peanut butter, or that jar of cashews you were saving for weekend game. Do not forget nut spreads either.

Summary of Tips for shopping:

Read every food label before purhcase of the product. Note that ingredients do change.

Ask bakery staff if the product you are intending to buy has nuts in them. Also explain about you or your family member having the peanut or nut allergy.

Avoid imported foods that have foreign labels or if you are not able to be certain of the ingredients.

Stay away from prepared or frozen desserts or candies unless you have received verification from the manufacturer that the product does not contain nuts.

Note down on a writing pad on any food items that you are in doubt while out shopping.