Food allergies are extremely prevalent, affecting between 4-8% of children, but most are not as dangerous as a peanut allergy, which affects approximately 1% of children. And if one person in a classroom is allergic to peanuts, the whole class is without peanuts and anything that even looked at a peanut.
Last night I had to make cookies for one class and cupcakes for another – all without any contact with nut products. At the store I picked up a package of Toll House cookie dough, the break and bake kind because was feeling that lazy. Nope, they’ve been processed on the same equipment as peanuts and tree nuts. Right there the purchase was denied. Instead I went home, filled my dishwasher with every spoon bowl, plate and tray I planned on using and turned to my friend Betty. Yes, I made cookies and cupcakes from scratch because I wanted to be that sure that some kid wasn’t going to die from my baked good.
My mom was a kindergarten teacher for 15 years so I’ve always been aware of the severity of this allergy. I’ve also been waiting that long with baited breath for the explosion of this market. I did find Divvies, a company that sells cookies, popcorn, cupcakes, candy and gift-pack combinations that are free of peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs. And another mom that designed a peanut-free icon.
Hello. What I’m really wondering is where the peanut-free drive thru is? Where is the membership site with city-by-city guides to peanut-free menus. Where is the one brand you can go to and know you’re safe. When 100 people DIE each year from allergic reactions to foods why is this not overly explicit.
This is a movement, and Americans are affected by this allergy more than any other country. We cannot wait around for a cure or an explanation. We need to act. This is not a Google search; this needs to be in our backyards!
I just received this note from my son’s school (there is a definite paranoia):
Halloween Candy Alert:
Please be sure to double check your child’s treat bag that came home from school today. Although we checked treats, there were many people helping out in the classrooms today. If your child has an allergy, we ask that you re-check the bags- we just want to make sure we didn’t miss anything.
