I came across this article the other day in The Washington Post about a woman in Las Vegas who has been fighting for her life since eating a tube of cookie dough contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The article highlights the real dangers of food contamination. While this is always a concern for those with food allergies who could have severe reactions to food that is contaminated with unknown allergens, the general public now also runs the risk of bacterial contamination in the food supply.

Fortunately, as the article reports, Congress is taking action:

“In July, the House approved legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration broad new powers and place new responsibilities on food producers. The bill would speed up the ability of health officials to track down the source of an outbreak and give the government the power to mandate a recall, rather than rely on food producers to voluntarily pull tainted products from the shelves.”

This bill also gives the FDA the power to act quickly in response to food that contains undeclared allergens, which is great news for those living with food allergies. Hopefully this important legislation will be passed by Congress and help prevent tragedies like this one.

-Mallory

If you are making sandwiches for your children’s first week of school, watch out! National grocery store chain Kroger has issued a recall of Kroger brand Super Kids Enriched White Sandwich Bread because it may contain milk, which is not listed as an ingredient on the label.

The bread is sold in 20-ounce packages with the UPC number 1111000831, and lists various “Best If Used By” dates. Kroger stores in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia are recalling the bread.

Customers should return the product to stores for a refund or replacement. If you have questions about the recall, you can contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/29LBjx.

P.S. Always read labels carefully. Though it doesn’t apply in this case (the Kroger bread didn’t list milk on the label at all) sometimes milk shows up on packaged good/formula labels as other names like “casein” or “whey.”

-Mallory

Has your child missed out on summer camp fun due to his or her food allergies? If so, he/she may soon be able to have the traditional camp experience in a safe environment. Starting in the summer of 2011, food allergic children and their siblings will be able to attend Camp T.A.G., a weeklong day camp in Illinois, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland and Texas.

The food allergy-friendly camp will feature a Registered Nurse on staff, allergy-safe snacks, educational activities, games, sports and crafts, and a Parent Education Day.

To learn more about Camp T.A.G., and to request a camp in your location, visit the original post on GoDairyFree.com.

-Nita

Neocate is now on Facebook!

Now that summer has officially begun and the 4th of July is quickly approaching, you’re probably beginning to worry about upcoming picnics, cookouts, and days at the beach. Can your child with a severe allergy safely join in on the fun? Of course! With some careful planning and the right attitude, you and your child can enjoy the summer. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Develop a list of your little one’s medications – including those taken only in an emergency

When preparing for an outing, it’s often easy to forget some of the smaller items that you keep stocked at home. To ensure you have everything you need, make a list in advance of the medications your little one uses – on a daily basis and in case of an emergency.

Prepare allergy safe food for your child in advance

If you’re picnicking with friends or family, make sure to bring some meals and snacks that your little one can enjoy. Not everyone shares your caution in handling certain ingredients, so go ahead and prepare the food yourself before leaving. And remember, to label all food carefully – it’s easy for someone to grab the wrong item, possibly leaving your child with allergies without a meal.

Make sure whoever is hosting the summer activity knows about your child’s allergies

Many times people are so busy preparing to host a group of people, that your child’s specific allergies might slip their mind. Play it safe — even if the host knows you and your child well, it never hurts to provide a friendly reminder about what your child can and cannot eat.

Keep it clean

Avoid eating directly on park picnic tables – you don’t know who was there prior to your visit and what food residue might be leftover. Instead bring a table cloth and some plates that everyone can eat on. Disinfectant wipes are also great for quickly wiping down areas.

Have an emergency plan

No matter how much you plan, it’s still possible that your child will accidentally come into contact with a food that causes an allergic reaction. If and when this happens, it’s easy to panic and forget what you need to do to help your child. Prior to your outing, write down what needs to be done in case of emergency – this will not only help you but can also serve as a guideline for any other adults onsite who can offer a hand.

HAVE FUN!
While it’s important to plan for your outing to ensure your child’s safety, summer is about having fun! Remember to bring activities such as coloring books and games so that food is not the primary focus of the outing.

What summer plans do you and your little ones have?

- Mallory

Neocate is now on Facebook!

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a Texas firm, is recalling 608,188 pounds of frozen poultry products that may contain undeclared milk, soy, and wheat allergens. The products were shipped to Kroger® establishments across the country. The undeclared allergens were discovered by the company, and although the USDA has not received reports of health problems due to the products, it advises those concerned about allergic reactions to consult with a doctor.

The recalled poultry products’ plastic bags are embossed with establishment numbers “P7091A,” “P13477″ or “P13485A” near the zip seal on the packages as well as the USDA mark of inspection. Each bag also bears the “Best By” date of “JUL 25, 2009″ through “JUN 8, 2010″, a UPC code “0 11110 97158 6,” and Julian dates of “8207″ to “9159.”

The USDA has classified this a “Class I Recall,” indicating a high risk factor, and that it is “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

For the entire story, click here.

And for questions and concerns call the USDA’s toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. E.T., Monday-Friday.

- Mallory

Neocate is now on Facebook!