​We are Nova and Ana, best friends first and co-founders of Basquet as a close second. Basquet is an allergen-friendly online grocer which was created with the core mission to deliver individuals and families struggling with food allergies a stress-free grocery shopping experience. We double and triple check labels and their respective ingredients, worrying  about the fine print so others don’t have to.​

​Basquet was born from a mission and a vision based on experience. Ana has dealt with a severe nut allergy her entire life, struggling to find safe products which were free from cross-contamination. This was the spark that eventually became a flame. Realizing that there was a disconnect in the market for guaranteed worry-free shopping, we decided to build a platform dedicated to helping those facing the same challenge, yet on a larger scale; we wanted to build a safe space for those facing aversions to the Top 9 allergens: tree-nuts, peanuts, sesame, dairy, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and egg. Working closely with FARE (The Food Allergy Research & Education Organization), Basquet curates the best allergen-friendly products from over 140 brands  so customers can simply filter by their allergies, intolerances, and preferred lifestyles, enabling them to shop worry-free knowing everything is safe (and delicious).

All NNMG members and followers will receive $15 off their first box of $50 or more by using the code NNMG22 at checkout.

Every food-allergy family is creative in its own way. My husband and I became amazingly innovative when we realized that our son had seven life-threatening food allergies. We agreed as a family that we would avoid the foods at all costs, but we weren’t going to let this diagnosis get in our way of a full, happy family life. Of course, it did get in the way. Our family had to make major adjustments and shift a few expectations, but we were committed to living life at its fullest and to pass on the experiences that my husband and I had enjoyed in our lives.

Summer camp (overnight, of course) was, and is, one of my fondest childhood memories. Having been a camper and camp counselor myself, I knew that a camp environment was a place to be your true self, have some independence, take a few risks, and learn how to live in a community -- essential qualities to becoming a competent and confident adult. This is an experience I wanted my son to have. I wanted him to be able to spread his wings. But, as a child living with food allergies and restrictions, finding places to experience this kind of growth is difficult, if not impossible. And not just for him – for me, as a parent and a Food Allergy Mom.

​So, I did what a lot of us do. I googled “food allergy summer camp” in 2009 – and came up a big nothing! No overnight camp could give my son a camp experience where he (and his parents) would feel safe. Fortunately, I’m an eternal optimist, so I decided to start a summer camp – how hard could it be?! When my son started first grade, I was fortunate enough to be able to leave my job as a Project Manager for the City of Portland so that I could be the food allergy mom who organized every party and chaperoned every school field trip and activity (Turns out the Food Allergy Moms can also be Super Mom School Volunteers)
​
When the recession whittled down my small consulting practice to near zero, I decided to dig into this idea of a summer camp for kids with food allergies. I spent the next year talking with camp directors and food allergy organizations, physicians, other parents and anyone else I could think of. All of this discovery eventually led to the launch of Camp Blue Spruce in 2012. Since I spoke with everyone I could find and conducted countless google searches, I can confidently say that Camp Blue Spruce is the only week-long overnight camp in the country dedicated to kids with food allergies and other related conditions.

Our first year, we had 27 kids, many of whom had never had a meal outside of their home, let along slept away from home. We rented out a camp and spent the 24 hours before the campers arrived cleaning and preparing the cooking facilities to accommodate the needs of our campers. We created menus that every child (and counselor) in the camp could eat. And we set up a private Facebook page with communications back to parents so they could see that their kids were happy, healthy and safe.

How’d I make this happen? I’m a professional project manager, community organizer, and the executive director of a start-up non-profit —all which requires skills to do this crazy thing. But what made this work is that my super power is finding people who know things I do not and who approach problems from a completely different perspective. The heroes of the story of Camp Blue Spruce are the amazing team of wonderful colleagues, many as nearly full-time volunteers, who have brought their expertise and skills to create an enduring organization that focuses on meeting the social and emotional impacts of children living with food allergies. Together, we’ve have had a profound impact on hundreds of kids by creating a safe camp experience where kids explore new things and really feel like they belong.​

The pandemic has been particularly hard on kids with food allergies, adding yet another reason to be sheltered at home. Kids need camp now more than ever. After two years of screens and isolation, camp brings kids together to make new friends, play, be silly, and try new things. The perfect antidote to the pandemic!

We’re celebrating ten years! In August, we are holding two weeks of camp for the first time and this fall are expanding programs that connect campers year-round. We’re using virtual tools to build and maintain relationships between campers, so when they come back to camp, they’re among friends.

Follow us on FB and Instagram. Questions? info@campbluespruce.org

I received an allergy friendly snack box from The Big 8 Crate. I was pleasantly surprised by the contents, which included lots of snacks and goodies. There were many snacks enclosed that I know and love, such as Enjoy Life, 88 Acres, Partake Foods, Yum Earth, and Free Yum. There were also many items inside that I had just learned about, e.g., Favalicious Roasted Fava Beans, Safely Delicious, Nature's Turn Freeze Dried Fruit Crisps, Bear Fruit Roll, and Zee Zee's Applesauce. I can honestly say I enjoyed everything in this box.

The Big 8 Crate offers free shipping on every box in the US and they ship to Canada for a small fee. They have multiple sizes and subscription plans available, as well as a one time gift box. The snack box is always free from the top 8 allergens and gluten free, The Big 8 Crate also has a top 8 + sesame free option and a seasonal Easter box available.

​Something that makes their snack box really special is the snacks are all made in dedicated "free from" facilities, this makes it ideal for people managing severe allergies and people sensitive to cross-contamination. The snack boxes are an easy way to discover new snacks and have a unique selection conveniently delivered each month, spending less time reading labels in the grocery store.
​
The Big 8 Crate features many snacks made from vegan, organic, non-GMO and sustainably sourced ingredients. It is a woman owned business supporting companies that are dedicated to improving the food allergy community.

If you are interested in trying some new allergy friendly foods or you just like to have a variety of some of your favorites on hand, give The Big 8 Crate a try. Be sure to enter NNMG20 at checkout to receive 20% off of your order.

I would like to take this time and remember some of the recent and not so recent deaths that have occurred from food allergies. These are just some of the reported cases. It is very sad that there have been so many and yet we have not heard about most of them.

Thank you for reading and sharing. The more we talk about it, the more others around us will too.  If you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you can view some of their pictures.

 "Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you.”

This list was updated on May 15, 2022.

Food Allergy Deaths in 2022:

Jagger Shaw, 14, reportedly ate a granola bar that contained peanut, which he was allergic to. He died in hospital after a devastating anaphylactic reaction. Full Story

Hanna Scigala, 31, died from a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Full Story 

Food Allergy Deaths in 2021:

Brooklyn Secor, 9, dies of severe allergic reaction related to milk desensitization. 
Full Story

​Langer Reese, 13, suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction after eating a dessert that “she thought was safe,” Full Story
​
Osher Deri, 23, died after enjoying dinner with a friend. Full Story

Cason Hallwood, 12, dies from Suspected Anaphylaxis on Christmas Day. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2020:

Alexandra Erokhova, 25, passed away after suffering a reaction to a dessert at her wedding. Full Story

Nick Kelly, 16, passed away after suffering a suspected allergic reaction to takeaway. Full Story

Alexander Hall, 37, dies from an undiagnosed fish allergy after dining with his wife. Full Story ​& Full Story

Tom Morton (age unknown), suffered from an anaphylactic reaction to food and passed away. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2019:

Ellen Raffell, 16, died from anaphylactic reaction to a food she had eaten. Full Story

Sam Collins, 19, passed away on the 4th of August 2019 as a result of the anaphylaxis. Full Story

Logan E. Lewis, 20, died from an anaphylactic reaction to milk. ​Full Story

Wyatt Michael Polachek, 12, had an allergic reaction to something he had eaten at a party. Full Story

Ava-Grace Stevens, passed away after suffering a severe anaphylactic reaction while on vacation. Full Story

Christopher Trimper, 42, passed away due to complications from a shellfish allergy. Full Story

Rachel Hunger, 21, On April 19, Hunger suffered anaphylactic shock after eating an egg roll she didn’t know contained peanuts. Full Story
 
Tessa Perez, 11, was pronounced dead after suffering an allergic reaction to peanuts and going into anaphylaxis. Full Story

​Raffi Pownal, 11, died of anaphylaxis. The boy was known to have an allergy to milk. Full Story

Denise Saldate, 11, suffered a fast-moving anaphylactic reaction to milk protein from an unexpected source: a new prescription toothpaste. Full Story

Fathimath Hana, 24, died after suffering a severe allergic reaction. She had a Seafood allergy. Full Story

Brandon Cheatham, 17, died after eating some brownies that had walnuts in them. Full Story

Habiba Chishti, 9, passed away after eating an ice cream while on holiday in Spain. Full Story & Full Story

Cameron Jean-Pierre, 11, died from a suspected asthma attack induced by an airborne allergen. (Fish)
Full Story & Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2018:

Jadhen, 6, suffered an anaphylactic reaction after eating pancakes containing dairy. Full Story

Ruben Bousquet, 14, dies after eating popcorn at a movie theater with his parents. Full Story

Kyah Rayne Cohen, 21, died from an reaction to one taste of peanut sauce. Full Story 

Shante Turay-Thomas, 18, suffered an anaphylactic reaction after eating food thought to contain hazelnuts. Full Story

Sadie Bristow, 9, died after suffering anaphylaxis. She had a known dairy allergy. Full Story & Full Story

Kelly Ann Moyer, 39, died from anaphylaxis - fatal anaphylactic allergic/asthma reaction. Full Story & Full Story

Joanna Frances Salmingo-Fontaine, 30, died after suffering a severe reaction to nuts. Full Story & Full Story

Isabel Marrero, 9, died from an anaphylactic reaction in March this year, after her mother gave her what looked like her favorite biscuit. Full Story

NAME UNKNOWN, 6, Perth girl dies from a severe allergic reaction to dairy. Full Story

Alexi Stafford, 15, died from a severe reaction to a cookie containing peanut. Full Story & Full Story

Maximillian McGlinchey, 19, died as a result of anaphylaxis to peanut exposure after eating a meal at a Chinese restaurant. Full Story

Amanda Huynh, 12, died of an allergic reaction after eating a granola bar. Full Story

James Turnball, 15, passed away due to anaphylaxis after consuming a take-out meal. Full Story

George Hodgkiss, 31, died after having an allergic reaction to cashews. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2017:

Nathan Anderson, suffered an allergic reaction and passed away after eating food containing sesame. 
Full Story

Allison Suhy, 18, died after eating a donut that contained peanut. Full Story

Celia Marsh, 42, died after eating a super-veg rainbow flatbread containing a yoghurt that was supposed to be dairy-free. Full Story

Elijah Silvera, 3, died after being a served a grilled cheese sandwich at his preschool. He had a severe milk allergy. Full Story

Justin Mathews, 33, died after being exposed to walnuts during sandblasting. Full Story

Nainika Tikoo, 9, died after eating pancakes topped with blackberries. Full Story & Full Story

Jacob MacDonald, 15, suffered an allergic reaction after eating a cookie containing peanuts. Full Story

Chloe Gilbert, 15, died after eating a food containing yogurt. She had a dairy allergy. Full Story

Khoo Siew Hong, 60, died after eating prawns. She was allergic to shellfish. Full Story

Alastair Watson, 3, suffered an anaphylactic reaction during a baked milk challenge. Full Story

Anthony Lyson, 18, died of an anaphylactic reaction after accidentally consuming nuts. Full Story

Michael Julian, 27, suffered an allergic reaction that caused his brain to swell. Full Story

Georgina Hickman, 24, died after eating a single peanut flavored crisp. Full Story

Karanbir Cheema, 13, died after suffering an allergic reaction to cheese. Full Story & Full Story

Nissan Hayuni, 32, died on board a flight after consuming a specially ordered kosher meal. Full Story &
Full Story

Owen Carey, 18, suffered an allergic reaction and passed away after eating a piece of chicken. Full Story
 
Anthony Maruca, 23, suffered an allergic reaction and passed away suddenly from anaphylactic shock.
Full Story

Megan Lee, 15, dies after suffering an allergic reaction to takeaway food from a restaurant. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2016:

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died of an anaphylactic reaction suffered during a flight. Full Story

Maleek Lawal, 10, died from a severe allergic reaction to an item containing dairy. Full Story

Nasar Ahmed, 14, died after suffering an allergic reaction from a school lunch containing milk.  Full Story

Domonic Prince, 32, suffered an allergic reaction after eating a salad purchased from a deli.

Tanner Sorensen, 14, had an allergic reaction to a cookie containing nuts. Full Story

Oakley Debbs, 11, died from an allergic reaction after eating a cake containing nut resin. Full Story

Ben Scott, 37, died from an allergic reaction to nuts. Full Story

Mariyah Pina, 14, had an allergic reaction to an unknown allergy. Full Story & Full Story

Breyton Horomona, 15, suffered a severe allergic reaction and died after eating calamari. Full Story

Paul Wilson, 38, died after eating a dish that contained peanuts. Full Story

Javier Avina, 10, died from asthma possibly caused by his peanut allergy. Full Story

Victor Lee, 10, tragically died after suffering an allergic reaction. Full Story

Abigail Raye Reiswitz, 13, died from asthma complications triggered by a reaction to milk. Full Story & Full Story

Bruce Kelly, 22, died after eating chocolates containing peanuts. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2015:

Georgia Murphy, 13, died from an allergic reaction after eating pizza. Full Story

Jermain Bourbon, 11, died from an anaphylactic reaction. Allergic to dairy, eggs and nuts. Full Story &
Full Story

Miles Bengco, 11, died from an allergic reaction to Mycoprotein. Full Story 

Katherine Schaefer, 18, died from an allergic reaction that led to a severe asthma attack. Full Story

Shalev Hazan, age unknown, died after eating a granola bar containing nuts. Full Story

Annie Legere, 13, died from anaphylactic shock after an unknown allergic reaction, likely to something she ate, according to her doctors. Full Story

Lois Tate, 13, died at the hospital while being treated for asthma. Parents suspect it was the food they served their food allergic child. Full Story, Full Story & Full Story

Cody Steven Kimball-Godfrey, 17, died from an allergic reaction. Full Story

Rachel Cole, 18, suffered an anaphylaxis reaction to peanut oil and died 6 days later. Full Story & Full Story

Cameron Wahid, 7, died after eating a dish that may have contained dairy. Full Story

Morgan Elizabeth Crutchfield, 17, died from an allergic reaction. Full Story & Full Story

Simon Katz, 16, died from an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Full Story

Andrea Mariano, 18, died from an anaphylactic allergic reaction. Full Story 

Amanda Thompson, 50, died after having an allergic reaction to a Sorbet. Full Story

Dylan Hill, 18, died after eating at an Indian restaurant. Full Story

Maisie Durant, 21, died after eating a cereal bar containing nuts. Full Story

Shahida Shahid, 18, died from an allergic reaction after eating at a local restaurant. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2014:

Alice Brooks, 19, died after suffering an allergic reaction. Full Story

Caroline Lorette, 14, died from an allergic reaction to dairy. Full Story

Brandon Dixon, 13, died after eating a candy bar given to him at school. Full Story

Deborah Mary Molloy, 52, died from an allergic reaction to lentils. Full Story

Richard Hugh Goins, 23, died after exposure to a food containing peanut. Full Story & Obituary

Aaron O'Farrell, 11, died from anaphylactic reaction. Full Story & Full Story

Derek Landon Wood, 11, died after eating a cookie from a local grocery store. Full Story

Sergio Lopez, 24, died after eating a mole sauce containing peanuts. Full Story & Obituary

Scott Johnson, 16, died from a milk allergy after eating pancakes at a restaurant. Full Story

Nutan Ajay, 16, died from an allergic reaction to egg. Full Story

Casey Ryan, 29, died from an allergic reaction to peanut oil. Full Story

Edward Alfred Horan II, 24, died after exposure to a food he is allergic to. Full Story

Jaime E. Mendoza, 16, dies after allergic reaction to peanut butter cookie. Full Story

Chandler Swink, 19, dies from an allergic reaction to peanut. Full Story

Joseph DeNicola, 7, dies after suffering an allergic reaction on Halloween. Full Story

Jack Burden, 18, died from a severe allergic reaction. Partial Story

Paul Wilson, 38, died from anaphylaxis. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Lydia Lavoshan, age unknown, died after having an allergic reaction to tahini, which contained sesame. Full Story

Edward Debbage, 8, died from an anaphylaxis reaction. Allergies to various foods. Full Story 

Connor Donaldson, 12, dies after eating food containing peanut. Full Story 

Food Allergy Deaths in 2013:

Elin Wahlgren, 16, died from an allergic reaction after eating tacos. Full Story

Ronak Warty, 10, died after drinking a wrongly labelled drink containing dairy. Full Story

Cody Hardy, 17, died from an allergic reaction to milk. See comments section for full story.

Marcus Terranova, 8, died from an anaphylactic reaction caused by an unknown food allergy. Full Story

Dora Mae Coburn, 68, died from an allergic reaction to bananas. Full Story

Abbie Benford, 15, died from an anaphylaxis reaction. Full Story

Emma Slone, 14, died from a reaction to a nut based sauce. She had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Andrew Turner, 35, died from eating bread containing nuts. Full Story

Shimmer James, 6, died after an allergic reaction to peanut. Full Story

Taylor Brown, 11, died from an allergic reaction. Partial Story and Partial Story.

Marcus Sweet, 46, died after an allergic reaction to coconut. Full Story

Connor Donaldson, 12, died from a suspected allergic reaction from nut allergy. Full Story

Giovanni Cipriano, 14, died from an allergic reaction to peanuts. Full Story

Derek Stephenson, 31, died from an allergic reaction after eating a curry dish containing peanut. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Ethan Williams, 14, died from a suspected tree nut allergy. Full Story

Natalie Giorgi, 13, died from an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Full Story

Mason Wight, 11, died from an allergic reaction. Partial Story

Jackie Scott, 35, died from an allergic reaction caused by peanut allergy. Full Story

Tanner Henstra, 11, died from an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Full Story

Adrian Gutierrez, 8, died from a possible reaction to milk. Full Story

Maia Santarelli-Gallo, 12, died of an allergic reaction after eating ice cream at the mall. Full Story

Cameron Fitzpatrick, 19, died after eating a cookie that contained peanut oil. He had a peanut and tree nut allergy.  Full Story

Faith Tolbert, 2, died after from an allergic reaction to peanut. Partial story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2012:

Danika Rae, 17, died from complications related to an airborne allergic reaction and asthma attack. Full Story

Myriam Ducre-Lemay, 20, died after kissing her boyfriend that had eaten peanut butter. Full Story

Michael Saffioti, 22, died from dairy allergy after eating oatmeal containing dairy. Full Story

Jack Levee, 17, died from a severe allergic reaction and a asthma attack. Full Story

Jack Irvine, 15, died after eating a cookie containing nuts at camp. Full Story 

William Luckett, 15, died after eating Chinese takeaway. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Ethan Thomas, 11, died from an allergic reaction to curry. He had a nut allergy. Full Story

Natalia Green, 17, died from an allergic reaction to chicken satay containing peanut. Full Story

Diallo Robbins Brinson,15, died from of an allergic reaction after eating a cookie. Full Story 

Amaya Seraton, 8, died from an allergic reaction. Details are unknown. Full Story

Ammaria Johnson, 7, died at school after being exposed to something containing peanut. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2011:

Raymond Cho, 16, died after eating a cookie in class that contained walnuts. Full Story

Chen Efrat, 26 died after eating a dessert at a Tel Aviv restaurant. Full Story

Hayden Wileman, 9, died after eating a cereal. He had an unknown peanut allergy. Full Story 

Jharell Dillard, 15, lost his life after eating a chocolate chip cookie, which unknowingly contained nuts. Full Story  

Tyler Cody Davis, 20, died from an allergic reaction after eating at the KSU Campus Dining Hall. Full Story

Christopher Smith, 17, died after eating takeout food from a Wirral, England restaurant. Full Story

Veronica Cirella, 8, died from allergic reaction. (undisclosed food allergy and cerebral palsy) food fed at home by mother (under investigation) Full Story

Mathew Lee, 26, died after eating a salad that contained nuts. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2010:

Ashley Frangella, 20, died from an allergic reaction to milk. Full Story

Megann Ayotte Lafort, 6, of Montreal died from asthma attack that is believed to be caused by a food allergic reaction. Full Story

Katelyn Carlson, 13, died after eating Chinese food with her class. Full Story

Yla Aquino, 17, died on prom night after accidentally digesting peanut butter. Full Story 

Poppy Harvey, 19, died after unknowingly eating a cake that contained peanut. Full Story 

Kevin Edouard, 21, died from suspected peanut allergy after eating on a cruise ship. Full Story

Emma Egerton, 18, died from takeaway curry. She had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Darren Taylor, 44, died from unknown fin-fish allergy. Full Story

Charlie Fidler, 8, died after an allergic reaction at a football barbecue. He was allergic to eggs, milk, wheat and certain nuts. Full Story

Molly Giles, 10, died from one spoonful of curry. She had a nut allergy. Full Story

Molly Dyer, 13, died from curry takeout. She had a nut allergy. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2009:

Danny Macpherson, 21, died from an allergic reaction after eating Indian takeout. Full Story  

Robert Anderson, 15, peanut, tree nut, egg allergy and asthma. Treated as asthma but later identified as anaphylaxis. (unconfirmed report) Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2008:

Mercedes Mears, 10, died after suffering an asthma attack. Food allergies are suspected to have played a part in her death. Full Story & Video

B.J. Hom, 18, died from an allergic reaction while on a family vacation. Full Story 

Andrew Michael Smith, 8, died from an allergic reaction while celebrating super bowl Sunday with family. Full Story

Daniel Sargent, 30, collapsed after taking a bite of a chocolate chip cookie. Full Story

Rodney Hawkins, 35, died from shellfish allergy after being served wrong. Full Story 

Dexter Skinner, 16, died after eating a chocolate bar. He had a peanut allergy. Full Story

Christopher Gould, 14, died after eating a cashew. Full Story 
 
Mark Nicholson, 28, died from peanut allergy after eating chili burgers. Full Story

Angus Myers, 32, nut allergy, died after eating take away curry. Full Story

Elizabeth Hoborough, 39, died days later after eating prawn soup. Full Story

Carol Lynn Winston Kiener, 66, died from a peanut allergy. Partial Story

Deja Vacey Hay, 7, died from milk allergy after drinking juice. Full Story

Paul Anthony Thurston, 30, died in jail when served a sandwich containing peanut butter. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2007:

Nathan Francis, 13, died after given a lunch of beef satay at camp. Full Story 
 
Karim Oughton, 13, died after eating a Brazil nut. He had never had a reaction before. Full Story

Carley Janelle Kohnen, 13, died from a burrito. She had a peanut, egg and milk allergy. Full Story

Grant  Freeman, 38, Collasped and died after eating a tomato entree. He was allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, seafood and chicken. Full Story

Mohsen Hussain, 9, died after having a sweet from the pick and mix candy section. He had a  nut allergy and asthma. Full Story

Jessica Cordoroy, 10, died after eating a pie at a restaurant. She had a peanut allergy and asthma. (unconfirmed story)

Stephanie Faulkner, 14, died from a dish at a restaurant that unknowingly contained nuts. Full Story

Kylie Lynch, 20, died after eating a dessert at a cafe that contained nuts. Full Story 

Francesca Sanna, 19, Collasped and died minutes after brushing her teeth. She had several food allergies. Full Story & Full Story

Michelle Bray, 21, died from seafood allergy. She had a severe anaphylactic reaction to a dim sim and collapsed. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2006:

Emily Vonder Meulen, 13, died at the mall after eating a sandwich she had eaten many times before. Full Story 

Amber Norman, 12, died after eating a sweet treat in school. Full Story

Paul Derrick Howard, 16, died from a sesame allergy most likely contained in a cereal bar he had eaten. Full Story

Brent Schivley, 16, died from a peanut reaction after eating a chocolate chip cookie. Full Story
 
Jane McVeigh, 17, died from nut allergy after unknowingly eating chicken satay at a birthday party. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2005:

Gina Marie Hunt, 14, died after having an allergic reaction after eating Chinese food at the mall with her friends. Full Story

Christina Desforges, 15, died after kissing her boyfriend, who had just eaten a peanut butter snack. Full Story

Thomas Schatten, 43, died an hour later after receiving treatment for his peanut allergy from an alternative medicine practitioner. Full Story 

David Joseph Boutot, 17, died from drinking a protein shake that contained whey. Full Story
 
Kailey Brianna Bowles, 7, died from a taste of hot cocoa in her room. She had a milk allergy. Full Story

Alison Armstrong, 11, died after eating a candy apple at the Grants Pass, OR Boatnik Festival. According to friends and family, Alison tasted peanut right away. The apple had been cooked in peanut oil. She was highly allergic to peanuts. (Can't locate full story)

Matthew Joseph Deluce, 24, died from peanut allergy after eating at a restaurant in Texas. Partial Story

Karen Lynn MacDonald, 27, died from accidential ingestion of peanut oil. Full Story

Chantelle Yambao, 13, died from peanut and nut allergy after eating a store-bought Nanaimo square. Full Story

Beverley Taylor, 37, died after eating a cashew that tasted like a peanut. She was allergic to peanuts, eggs, dairy, wheat and latex. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2004:

Jonathan Begley, 9, died from an allergic reaction to food while at school. Full Story

Amanda Mills, 19, died days after having an allergic reaction to a sandwich containing traces of nuts. Full Story. 

Alex Baptist, 4, died after being exposed to peanuts at school. Full Story.

Chris Clements, 17, died after eating chocolate that unknowingly contained hazelnut. He had a tree nut allergy. Full Story
 
Habib Khan, 10, died at school after eating a meal from home. He had asthma and a dairy allergy. He died from an asthma attack, but it is believed to be triggered from the dairy allergy. Full Story

Amy Bauer Topic, 34, died from peanut allergy after accidental ingestion. Full Story

Phillip Heywood, 19, died from a peanut allergy after eating half a portion of curry. Full Story

Emily Givner, 38, died shortly after eating a sandwich wrap. She was allergic to chocolate, nuts, seeds and animals. Full Story
 
Prasad Gajare, 9, died from milk allergy. Partial Story

Sam Pettett, 22, died from eating a curry dish. Allergy unknow, but died from allergic reaction.  Full Story

Raya French, 37, died from tomato allergy after eating spaghetti bolognese for dinner. Full Story

Laura Benson, 19, died after eating a Rice Krispy Treat that unknowingly contained peanut butter. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths 2003:

Matt Schmauch, 29, died after eating at a Chinese buffet. Full Story

Kate Obertelli, 21, died after eating takeout food containing curry paste. Full Story 

Singh Bhamra, 49, died from egg allergy after unknowingly eating cake containing eggs. Full Story

Sabrina Shannon, 13, died from dairy protein that was still present on some school lunch tongs. The same tongs were used to pick up Sabrina's french fries. Sabrina's Law took effect on January 1, 2006. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2002:

Trent A. Hankins, 31, died after touching food containing peanut oil at a dinner party. Full Story  

Thomas Egna, 5 months, died from milk allergy after being fed milk in a daycare. Full Story

Richard Sobrino, 38, had an allergic reaction to a candy bar and later died at the hospital. He had a peanut allergy.  Full Story

Hamidur Rahman, 14, died from peanut allergy while on a school excursion. Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2001:

Nathan Walters, 9, died on a class field trip after eating a sacked lunch offered to him which contained a peanut butter sandwich and cookies. Full Story

William Gallagher, 16, died after eating walnuts from his home economics class. Partial Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 2000:

Sarah Hubert, 13, died from Milk Allergy. Partial Story.

Nicola Ratcliffe, 18, died from a nut allergy after eating Indian food. Full Story

Luisa Dennis, 28, died from walnut allergy after eating bread that unknowingly contained walnuts. Partial Story

Patrick Maxeiner, 24, death is suspected to have been caused from a peanut allergy. (unconfirmed)  Partial Story

Food Allergy Death in 1999:

Joseph Murphy, 18, died after eating pistachio nuts. He knew he was allergic to peanuts, but not aware of his nut allergy. Full Story

Food Allergy Death 1998:

Mark Villa, died after eating a sugar cookie containing peanut butter.  Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 1996:

Kristen Wyak Norris, 13, died from anaphylactic shock due to complications from asthma and
allergies. She was allergic to nuts.Full Story in the 2002 Reno Gazette.

Joshua Ramirez, 21, died from peanut allergy after eating a cookie in a vending machine in his dormitory.Full Story

Food Allergy Deaths in 1991:

Johnny Robbins, 16, died after eating an egg roll containing peanut butter. See comments section for full story. 

Food Allergy Death in 1989:

Cheryl Winegardner, 10, died from a peanut allergy while on a school field trip. Full Story

Food Allergy Death in 1986:

Katherine Brodsky, 18, died after eating chili from a restaurant that was flavored with peanut butter. Full Story

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones
shine down to let us know they are happy."

​AUVI-Q® (epinephrine injection, USP) launched a new interactive resource hub with digital tools to help families with life threatening allergies stay prepared this school year. New resources are released regularly and include:

• Back to school checklists
• Interactive quizzes
• Customizable allergen profile cards

​In addition to access to the interactive resource hub, those who sign up at www.auvi-q.com/signup receive a free downloadable life-threatening allergy tool kit

​Alternatively, patients who prefer to pick up their AUVI-Q at any Walgreens location nationwide can show this postcard with information on the AUVI-Q Savings Offer that may be helpful for the pharmacy staff member processing the AUVI-Q prescription. 

Indication
AUVI-Q® (epinephrine injection, USP) is a prescription medicine used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions.
Important Safety Information

AUVI-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Seek immediate medical treatment after using AUVI-Q. Each AUVI-Q contains a single dose of epinephrine. AUVI-Q should ONLY be injected into your outer thigh, through clothing if necessary. If you inject a young child or infant with AUVI-Q, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the injection to prevent injuries. Do not inject AUVI-Q into any other part of your body, such as into veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands, or feet. If this occurs, seek immediate medical treatment and make sure to inform the healthcare provider of the location of the accidental injection. Only a healthcare provider should give additional doses of epinephrine if more than two doses are necessary for a single allergic emergency.
Rarely, patients who use AUVI-Q may develop infections at the injection site within a few days of an injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms at an injection site: redness that does not go away, swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm to the touch.
​
If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have more or longer lasting side effects when you use AUVI-Q. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. Also tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have asthma, a history of depression, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart problems or high blood pressure, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
 
Common side effects include fast, irregular or ‘pounding’ heartbeat, sweating, shakiness, headache, paleness, feelings of over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety, weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, or breathing problems. These side effects usually go away quickly, especially if you rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and the Patient Information at www.auvi-q.com.
 
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

When I first really started traveling with a gluten allergy, I felt lost and overwhelmed with the idea that I had to research each leg of my trip or risk being sick for days post-cross-contamination. Such a night and day difference from when I had traveled before being gluten-free. However, as I traveled, I challenged myself with new countries, new locations, and worked to educate myself to have amazing trips and those lifelong memories!

​Now many years later I live with a gluten allergy, dairy intolerance, and a few other intolerances. No matter how your allergies affect you, it affects how you travel and that can bring unwanted stress to what should be a fun and relaxing getaway. I have been and have helped clients travel domestic, international, cruises, tours, etc. ​Every family that I have worked with all want the same thing: to have a genuine family vacation. For their kids to be kids, and for the family to make memories together.

​I will apply real-life experience with food allergies to plan and execute your family trip. Whether you are wanting a full kitchen to prepare meals or are looking for a getaway with accommodating restaurants in the area, I plan the trip that makes you feel the most comfortable and customized to your allergies and/or dietary restrictions. 

What I can do as a specialized food allergy travel agent for you:

• Booking any aspect of your trip from flights, hotel, rental car, travel insurance, etc.
• Make sure each aspect of the trip is aware of the allergies going down to something as small as having the mini-fridge in the room emptied for your safe food to even talking with some chefs on property. 
• Going over traveling tips and tricks to work towards a smooth vacation.  
• Keep you up to date on the COVID policies and travel restrictions per the conditions at that time.
• Make all the phone calls on your behalf for food allergies, whether that is for resorts, restaurants, tour companies, etc.  
• Go over each policy with you of how food allergies are handled, including areas that may not be a risk in your normal daily routines such as renting a snorkel mask on a day tour or other shared equipment.
• Making the experience so you can reach out with any questions before, during, or after your trip. Clients often text me photos or share updates as they move through their trip and I in turn check-in and answer any questions or concerns as the trip plays out.

​Food Allergies shouldn’t hold you back from making memories as a family. It often comes as a shock to people, but more international places are accommodating than sometimes the restaurants in your backyard. It is all about the food laws in various places and how they respond to food allergies from their own citizens. As someone with a gluten allergy, I thrive in Italy due to the awareness around gluten and their food laws – had the best pizza I’ve ever tasted there and never went hungry.

​I’d love to work with you and your family on your next vacation! 
Lauren Scheffer, Food Allergy Travel Agent
Phone: 217-722-6071
Email: lauren@dunelakestravel.com
​https://www.dunelakestravel.com/lauren-scheffer

Nicole Ondatje has been an advocate for children with food allergies for nearly a decade. She founded S.A.F.E (Supporting Allergic Families through Education) of Boulder County, a community-based organization dedicated to improving the health, safety, and well-being of families with food allergies through increased awareness and education (www.foodallergysafe.org). She has served as a collaborator on an Emergency Medical Services Anaphylaxis Task Force, and as an Allergy & Asthma Network ‘Anaphylaxis Community Expert' and trainer. She lives in Colorado with her husband and her daughter who is severely allergic to peanuts and pine nuts.
 
I have been reading to my daughter since she was born, and we often find that books help us tackle difficult topics together. When she was a year old, she was diagnosed with severe anaphylactic food allergies. I remember being overwhelmed and having extreme anxiety about how to keep her safe, so I poured through the available literature to learn as much as possible and feel empowered.

As my daughter grew, we read age-appropriate children’s books about food allergies that could help her understand her allergy better. At age four, she started experiencing anxiety about her annual allergy skin prick tests, attending birthday parties, visiting family, and eating at restaurants. Searching online, I could find children’s books regarding food allergies and a handful of children’s books regarding anxiety, but there weren’t books that specifically and directly addressed food allergy anxiety in children. I started researching techniques to help children manage their anxiety, testing which approaches helped my daughter the most.

When she turned five, my daughter enrolled in a clinical trial for the peanut patch, adding blood draws and food challenges to her long list of anxiety-provoking situations. My approach was to help her write and illustrate a story in which she overcame her fears of going to her peanut patch appointment by being brave (and getting a sweet treat afterwards). She felt that the story, called “Rosy Goes to the Doctor,” helped her prepare for future appointments. That is how I was inspired to write a children’s book to help my daughter and other children like her who struggle with the daily challenges of living with a food allergy.

The result of this journey is Not Today, Butterflies! A Book About Food Allergy Anxiety. In the story, nine-year-old Quinn experiences several anxiety-provoking food allergy scenarios: her annual visit to the allergist, navigating a play date and a birthday party, being different from her friends, and having to speak up about her food allergies. These experiences generate uncomfortable feelings of butterflies in Quinn’s stomach. Quinn learns different tools to help manage her anxiety and tame the butterflies. Intended for children ages 4-8 as well as parents and caregivers, Not Today, Butterflies! A Book About Food Allergy Anxiety offers some guidance on how to identify signs of food allergy anxiety and helpful ways to teach kids how to manage it. The book provides an engaging and relatable experience for children who are coping with fears and anxiety about their own food allergies.

As a family, we have learned many useful techniques for managing anxiety, all of which are included in the book. Continuing to practice these techniques has helped my daughter feel less anxious about her frequent skin prick tests and blood draws, and more confident in speaking up to friends and even strangers about her food allergies. I truly hope that this book helps children and families with food allergies. It’s based on my own personal experience, research that I’ve done through books, conferences, webinars, and meeting with a child psychotherapist whose own child has food allergies. Before publication, it was vetted by that same psychotherapist as well as my child’s board certified asthma and allergy doctor.
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Not Today, Butterflies! A Book About Food Allergy Anxiety is currently available for purchase on Amazon, on the website of Olympia Publishers, and through Barnes and Noble.

​Hi! I am Lisa, and I am one of the co-founders of Starling Skincare. We specialize in products that are allergen-free AND clean, for the whole family. Also plant-based, it’s a big departure from the run of the mill drug store favorites often recommended by dermatologists for problem skin. We did that on purpose. 
 
My struggles with skincare began when I was diagnosed with nut allergies and couldn’t find any natural products that wouldn’t turn my face into a burning, itchy, red mess. This all started for me back in the mid 2010s and clean skincare was at the precipice of its boom. Also diagnosed with several other environmental allergens and celiac disease, I was unwell at the time. I knew it was time to clean up my act –literally. My body needed a reset, and I started to switch out our home cleaning products and my personal care products, to clean plan-based products. 
 
The search was a long and unfruitful one. I was really shocked when I couldn’t find one clean brand that thought about how allergies affect the skin, and eliminated nuts. Not one brand had thought about someone like me. After a few years of trying to find appropriate products for me – I decided I had to create them. No one was hearing my voice on this topic or seeing my metaphorical smoke signals. 
 
I expressed this frustration while talking with Nathalie (my Starling co-founder), with whom I had worked for several years at a retail company in New York. During the conversation, she mentioned her own struggles trying to find clean skincare that would help her rosacea. Before hanging up, we vowed to create the type of skincare products that we ourselves could never find to help troubled and allergenic skin.
 
Along with being allergen-free and clean, we create everything in small batches to ensure maximum freshness of products and efficacy. We use organic ingredients, wherever possible. We stringently vet our vendors and ensure that with every shipment we receive a confirmation of no cross contamination of allergens. We also oversee every aspect of production ourselves, to further ensure the safety of the products.
 
Starling Skincare started shipping products two years ago, and the customer reaction has surpassed our expectations. Judging by the responses, it’s clear there are many people with nut allergies who were having trouble finding skin products and deodorant that worked for them. We’ve gotten some of the most heartfelt thank you notes from people like us, saying they finally feel heard. That’s why we know what we’re doing is helpful.
 
We know allergies continue to be on the rise–particularly for children. There are several hypothesis on why. Pollution, excessive hygiene, stress or suppression of the immune system, are a few examples of what may cause the allergy to arise. Eliminating allergens completely is necessary in order to improve overall health and wellness. That’s why we thought it was important to create a brand that addressed the skincare needs of kids with allergies too. Our kid’s deodorants and cleanser are our most popular products. They work, and kids love them. Moms do too. 
 
You can follow Starling Skincare on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
 
Shop here: BuyStarling.com or on Facebook
 
We send weekly emails with special offers, blogs and tips for skincare. You can sign up here. 
 
For first time NNMG customers – we are offering a 30% discount code: NONUTS30. Plus, free shipping on all orders $20+, and a gift with all purchases $30+!
 
Enjoy and we hope to see you soon!

Hello, I’m Kath. I’ve been a children’s book designer and illustrator for over 20 years. 
 
My son Laurie was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at the age of three after a bite of his friend’s peanut butter sandwich. 
 
Over the years, we have learned to adapt, check ingredients and avoid may contains in order to keep Laurie safe, but we also try to make sure that he is not defined by his allergy.
 
We have found one of the most challenging aspects of living with a food allergy to be the lack of awareness in other people. I wanted to create a fun and accessible picture book that not only teaches children with allergies how to navigate their world safely, but helps to teach all children (and their parents, teachers and caregivers) about allergies and how they can help keep their friends safe. I also wanted to write a story that is, at heart, a tale of friendship and empathy. 
 
The Cookie is a story of two friends who have been taught that sharing is good. But then one day, Lewis shares his snack and Laurie has an allergic reaction. Will their friendship ever by the same?
 
I am extremely grateful to Dr. Helen Brough, consultant in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, who read the book and offered to write a foreword for me. She says; "This book is a great introduction to allergies for young children and I would recommend it in the classroom and for families who have just received an allergy diagnosis."
 
This is the first time I’ve self-published a book so it’s been a steep learning curve but I’ve really enjoyed the process. You have to learn to do everything - from building a website, buying ISBNs, designing a logo, to working out how to try and get the word out there. I’ve had a lot of help along the way; friends who have proof-read, allergy bloggers and experts who have checked the content and teachers and several young readers with allergies who have given it the thumbs up. I've created the publishing imprint Little Green Elephant Books and plan to publish future titles around similar subjects that help children develop empathy.

https://littlegreenelephantbooks.co.uk
 
https://twitter.com/LGEBooks
 
I live in Devon, UK, with my husband, two boys, three cats and a mad spaniel.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Cookie-story-friendship-food-allergy/dp/1838423605/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+cookie+Kath+grimshaw&qid=1616012965&sr=8-1
​

Millions of kids have a fun, new way to feel a “tad bit” better about their food allergies, at least that is one of my primary goals for my new children’s picture book. This book exposes the identity and belongingness issues kids often experience when diagnosed—but does so through a sweet story and whimsical illustrations painted by Paula M. Zelienka.

​I know the heartbreak and anxiousness that goes along with being a food allergy (FA) parent. Although 3 of my 4 kids have them, this book is based on my son’s experiences growing up with multiple allergies to common foods such as dairy, soy, and egg. I hope this story provides food allergy kids with a character they can feel connected to and learn from. Just as important to me is a desire to raise awareness and compassion in those who interact with FA kids and their families.

In some ways, the timing of this release helps. With the pandemic, most are experiencing firsthand what it feels like to be unsure of whether they should interact or share food with another person. Everyone is working through the grief of missing important celebrations with their loved ones and friends—of feeling isolated. That will make it easier for people to relate to kids with food allergies and their parents. They feel that way often, and with no end in sight.

The book is called, If I Can’t Eat Flies What Am I? It is a story about Tad the frog. Tad is sad because he’s allergic to flies. Since everyone knows that’s what frogs eat, he’s sure he must be another kind of animal. So, the unhappy hopper heads out into the wide world to find out what he might be instead.

​As he travels around the pond meeting a young duck, raccoon brothers, and a friendly cow, his efforts to find a place where he fits in just have him feeling even more like he stands out. Then, the frustrated little guy meets a magnificent medic bee who gives Tad all the information he needs to answer his question!

Will Tad realize he’s still a fabulous frog, no matter what he eats? You’ll have to read the book to find out. If you or your child like endearing characters, lighthearted learning, and clever rhymes, then you’ll love this book!

If I Can’t Eat Flies, What Am I? will help kids take a leap toward acceptance today! Learn more at ​www.aliciajpfaff.com.

​Alicia J. Pfaff is an author and Certified Holistic Health Coach who specializes in helping Moms take control of the craziness surrounding living with and managing autoimmune and allergy conditions. She named her company Healthy Tangents because she initially felt the food allergy diagnosis was a completely overwhelming hardship that forced her family onto a new and unwelcome course, but was eventually able to realize the silver linings that led to better health for the entire family.