I recently received some peanut and nut free cookies from Eleni's New York. These cookies are delicious and the company has some really adorable designs on their site. I noticed today that their site has a statement that reads Playfully Unique Cookies and I can see why. They have lots of different themed cookies for all occasions. You can even order personalized cookies with an actual photograph printed onto the cookie. You can get same day delivery in NYC or they are available online and at retailors like Whole Foods, Dean & Deluca, Starbuck’s Manhattan and other fine retailers.

I tried the New York Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Color Me Cookies. The Chocolate Chip Cookies remind me of homemade cookies and are on the crunchy side. I know some people prefer soft and chewy while others like crisp and crunchy. I like both, so I give them a thumbs up. The tin contains 36 cookies and the container will keep them fresh for up to two months. The cost for the New York Chocolate Chip 1lb Tin is $25.00.

I am particularly excited about the Color Me Cookies because I knew my little one and her friend would love them. This is such a cute and unique idea and I was right, the kids love them. They were so easy and mess free. We decorated some at my house and easily traveled to another house for more decorating fun. The box we decorated was called Color Me! On the Go Cookie Gift Set, which included 8 iced sugar cookies with shapes like a car, train, truck, sailboat and submarine. The set also came with 5 edible ink markers in the colors yellow, red, blue, green and orange. The cost for this gift set is $39.99. The other gift set I received was the Color Me! Birthday Cookie Gift Set, which includes 12 cookies with designs of birthday cakes, presents, hearts and 5 edible ink markers. This gift set is being saved for my daughter's upcoming birthday and the kids will love decorating and eating these. I absolutely love this idea and I will totally purchase these for playdates, parties or as a gift.

You can learn a lot more by checking out their website. They have a ton of really cute cookies and it is great that they are nut free. My family and many others really appreciate it! Read Eleni's Nut Free Statement.

Guest Blog by Glynne Townsend, Partner and COO of HD Scores

My son has a peanut allergy and like many allergy sufferers, eating out is a nerve-racking experience. Despite the waitress assurances that the kitchen will prepare a meal diligently you have no real idea how well the kitchen is managed to be able to do so, well, you do now.

Tired of restaurant anxiety, six years ago a group of us got together and started to build a company that would later become HD Scores (www.HDScores.com). The nation’s first hygiene review system of places where we all eat; restaurants, schools, drive throughs, health clubs etc. We provide a simple percentage score, the higher the score the cleaner the restaurant.

We achieve this by utilizing the local health department inspection scores from across the nation, scraping data from their websites weekly and running them through a proprietary algorithm. By doing so we come up with a hygiene score that reflects a restaurants violation history (not just the latest inspection), one that penalizes for repeat offences and critical violations and ranks restaurants within a local jurisdiction, so our users can make an actionable decision of the safest places to eat when they go out.

We now provide inspection data for over 1.3M establishments across the USA and cover 90% of the metropolitan population. In June last year we launched our service with Yelp providing Yelp users either jurisdictional health scores or our hygiene score in its absence for restaurants in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Florida, Dallas and California. The launch was Yelp’s biggest ever site upgrade, generating over 1.3B media hits and a wave of TV reports and news articles from Fortune magazine to Jimmy Fallon. The support for food safety from the public was staggering. This led us to launch our own APP in December that allows everyone to access our database, search establishments based on hygiene and food safety and choose a dining experience that is not only fun but safe. Unfortunately using HD Scores does not guarantee an allergy event will not happen when you eat out. It does however provide you with the peace of mind that where you are eating performs to the highest standards of health hygiene available and when you are told, ‘the kitchen will take care of it’ they probably will.

Like so many holidays, traditions built around Halloween have become pretty important to families and their kids. I am noticing Teal pumpkins being decorated, and allergen friendly treats being used. Even non-food treats and “candy trade-ins” are being adopted!

I figure most parents are thinking “What happened to Halloween? How different it has become!” And there might be an underlying fear that things aren’t “the same” anymore. (read: fun).

All Hallows Eve, Witches Night, Lambswool, Samhain or Summer’s End... Brought to North America by Irish and Scottish immigrants during the late 18th century, Halloween is associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain- the end of harvest season and the start of the “dark season.”

It was believed that during Samhain, a door was opened from the underworld, which let spirits into our world. People would dress up in costumes to disguise themselves from the dead.  Putting out food and drink at the front of their homes, communities would spend the night wandering from house to house enjoying each other’s hospitality.

So yes, Halloween has evolved. First, we shared fruit & nuts; then chocolate & cheezies; and now Allergen Friendly candy & tattoos! But has Halloween actually changed? It seems to me that a happy and very traditional Halloween relies on 3 simple ingredients - and all of them are Allergen Friendly!

Dress up! - Get kids involved in planning and making their costumes. The older they get the more fun the preparation becomes! And parents should always enjoy some silliness too. When else do we get to throw off our stiff, parental demeanor? YeeHaaaah!!!

Engage with your community! - When my family first moved west, I was delighted to find that everyone on our street setup a little refreshment stand on their lawn for the adults. While kids were safely trick or treating, adults were saying hi to neighbors and enjoying some lighthearted visiting… dressed up of course!

Share some hospitality! – I’ve seen everything from Hollywood calibre haunted houses to Fireworks good enough for the 4th of July. But your hospitality doesn’t have to be big, it just has to be thoughtful, warm hearted and inclusive. Most common of course are the carved pumpkins and decorations that everyone enjoys so much! But never forget what you are handing out to the kids. The more mindful we are of our choices; the more kids get to share in the fun!

In the end, as long as we keep in mind our love of community and our desire to share some fun with our kids, Halloween will never change!

Short bio: Sarah Clarke is the founder and president of FreeYumm Foods. Her passion for creating food that is inclusive and yummy has been the driving force for FreeYumm since its inception in 2014. Sarah and her family are based out of North Vancouver, BC.

Hello, my fellow food allergy friends! My name is Laura Catron, and I created Buddy’s Allergen Free Buddy Cakes + Frostings as a solution to the many challenges parents face when dealing with their children’s food allergies and intolerances: “What am I going to feed this kid?  And how do I explain to him that, even though he’s just a kid – and he’s done nothing wrong - he can’t have “normal treats” like the rest of his siblings and friends because it could hurt him.”  (Cue the tears, parental guilt and “idea-provoking” bottles of wine for Momma!)

In hindsight, our son Alex (aka “Buddy”) had stomach issues that were with him as long as I can remember. My husband Kevin and I just didn’t realize that they weren’t typical childhood “ailments.” Between Buddy being a quiet child and the common general symptoms, nothing ever rose to the level of panic or continued concern.

When Buddy was eight, we moved overseas with the U.S. Air Force. After a few months there, his stomach pains seemed to be getting worse.  We chalked it up to stress from the move, because Buddy was definitely an anxious child who internalized emotions more than our other children.  But when he began to grow thinner and thinner, and his stomach pains caused him to cry and double over - even waking him up at night - I finally realized it was more than just stress.

I will never forget the day I was given Alex’s diagnosis. (Actually, the weekend…I was told on a Friday.) I cried, and panicked, (and maybe drank about a case of wine.) Alex was completely intolerant and allergic to just about every food group on the planet. What was I going to feed this child who was wasting away because everything he ate hurt him? My full-time job became trying to figure out just one more thing I could make for him, that he could eat.  I’m sure many of you can relate!

When we moved back to the U.S. in 2015, I was so excited because the United States has everything right? Whole Foods, Trader Joes, etc….The problem was that Alex’s food issues were so comprehensive and broad that I couldn’t find ONE product, let alone a dessert, that didn’t have at least one of the items on his forbidden list.  I could find gluten and nut free, but not egg free; Or egg free but not gluten free or soy free.  Looking for cakes or cookies to treat him, or to send with him to school for “celebration” days -without eggs or gluten or soy- that didn’t taste like dry cardboard, was like searching for the Holy Grail.  It just DID NOT exist.  So, like any mom of an allergy-kiddo, I had to just figure out how to make it. I couldn’t stand one more unfair tear from Alex not being able to eat what everyone else could eat, or not being able to be included in birthday parties or enjoy the sweets at sleepovers; typical childhood experiences. 

So, after months and month of failed recipes and attempts, I finally created a list of recipes for cakes and cookies that Alex could eat.  Great news, right?  Well, sort-of…  The problem was that most of the recipes required expensive ingredients, and the big batches of desserts only lasted a day or two because they lacked moisture and fat. The expense and the waste were becoming a real problem for me. I HATE food waste, and frankly, we couldn’t afford it.

I needed to create a safe single serving dessert that was handy, easy to make, and delicious…  Then, one glorious day – nearly 2 years after Buddy’s diagnosis – I tried out my newest creation, a single serving of my “secret recipe” allergen-free mug cake, and got the overwhelming and ever-coveted verbal stamp of approval from my husband and three picky children. 

…And Buddy’s Allergen Free was born! Buddy’s makes delicious, single-serving cakes and frostings that are FREE of the TOP 8 FOOD ALLERGENS that affect both children and adults, alike!  Say goodbye to gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, corn syrup, artificial flavors and artificial colors!

I invented Buddy Cakes, in part, to solve my problem of food waste, as they are single-serving portions.  What I didn’t realize, at the time of creation, was how many other problems they solved for me, and can solve for other food allergen friends: 

1. They are incredibly quick to make; just one minute or so in the microwave and they are baked.
2. They don’t require an oven, so there’s no worry about forgetting to turn it off or the kids hurting themselves trying to make a treat. (Although they can be baked in the oven, if desired!)
3. There isn’t a risk of overeating or eating too much “junk” food since each Buddy Cake packet makes one perfect serving!
4. Buddy Cakes + Frostings are totally portable. Take them on the go! They are perfect to take to sleepovers, playdates, or to keep in school classrooms or dorm rooms. (All that’s required is oil and “milk” – dairy or non-dairy – and a microwave, which most schools and dorms have!)
5. They are versatile! Bake some mini Buddy-cupcakes ahead of a road trip or to take on the plane or to the beach! One of our favorite options is making Buddy Cake Bites to take on the go! (see website under “Recipes”)
6. THEY ARE FUN!! Go ahead…mix and match cakes and frostings! In fact, Buddy Cakes are a great alternative to any party cake (allergen-free or not) because you can set out a selection of cake mixes and frostings with a home-made topping bar and let the inventive “baking” run amuck! And don’t forget to check out BuddysAF.com for creative “Buddy Cake Variations!”

Having a small business that allows me to bring smiles to kids’ faces, to bring back the joy and anticipation of scrumptious dessert to those who have had to settle or go without because of food allergies and challenges, is one of the happiest aspects of my life! I just hope to spread the smiles as far as I can with Buddy’s Allergen Free!

Sincerely,
Your Buddy Laura!
Buddy’s Allergen Free
Founder/Buddy’s Mom
Laura@BuddysAF.com
BuddysAF.com

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 March 2, 2019. 

Food Allergy Deaths in 2019:

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:

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:

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

Efrat Chen, 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 Mimmy, 19, Collasped and died minutes after brushing her teeth. She had several food allergies. 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

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."

One of my central goals is to motivate clients to push through challenges and learn to live, work, love and play despite them. Often, this doesn’t involve fixing a problem, but rather living fully in spite of it!

In 2008 my family’s passion for travel was threatened. My husband and I had travelled with our babies, since 1995, every opportunity we had - domestically and internationally. But when our youngest had an anaphylactic episode in Istanbul, Turkey, at only 18 months old, we almost lost our gumption to continue our family pastime. Eager to not succumb to the limitations fear imposes, I read voraciously about travelling with food allergies and learned how to always be as prepared as possible for an emergency.
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I planned my trips based on different priorities and with a pragmatic lens. By way of example, my journeys can and do involve air travel, but I typically avoid islands where there are limited medical facilities. I like to rent homes or apartments, rather than hotels, so I may cook in a meal or two. Knowing “best practices” and “industry culture” is important to me. It’s not enough to just carry plenty of medicine, medical documentation, snacks for flights, wipes and other products (i.e. seat covers) to avoid cross contact. I try to stay current on airline culture (how much, when and to whom to discuss food allergies when travelling) and I try to select my destinations carefully, based on more than just my travel interests. I need to consider cooking practices and related allergen risk (hard to avoid hazelnuts in Turkey), communication (finding English speakers in Hungary was harder than Denmark) and general food safety practices (food labeling and laws, kitchen safety, etc…)
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This is the story of one recent journey to Western and Central Europe, which highlights my belief that being as informed, prepared and empowered as possible facilitates an easier, relaxing and more enjoyable journey. The experiences described can be relevant if your destination is global or right at home in the U.S.A.
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We travelled to Denmark, Hungary and Poland and for the most part were staying in major cities. I knew that language and local cuisine would pose additional challenges on this trip. For instance, Danish specialities rely on eggs or mayonnaise (think Smørrebrød with Hønsesalat, traditional dark bread with a chicken salad spread on top), and when in Hungary or Poland, one can’t always be assured a server with skilled English or schooled in food allergy protocols. At home or abroad, servers don't always know that mayonnaise is made with eggs or what cross-contact is and how to avoid it. My research and planning led me to use food allergy translation /travel emergency cards and translation apps to make sure communication wasn't a barrier. Every year the market expands with more effective and helpful technology and I love working with clients to help them select the right cards or app for their needs.

When we get to a destination, we start our trip at the supermarket. We like to stock up on safe foods and snacks for our child with food allergies. In Copenhagen most people speak English splendidly so we simply asked folks to help us out when reading labels. Using the translated allergy cards, ensured our helpers understood how important their support was. In Hungary and Poland, finding English speakers isn’t as easy, but everyone is eager to be helpful. Tapping the under 30 crowd improves one's chances for bilingual support. My oldest child, a young adult herself, found an app for us that used the phone’s camera to literally read an ingredient list in another language and then translate it to English. These products and methods aren’t perfect, but they help. In my travel experiences, I have also found pharmacies that sell some food products, especially those specializing in health food products, to be fantastically helpful. Typically the pharmacist speaks English and sometimes the products there are produced with labels in 4 - 7 languages, including English!!!

Our most cherished travel experiences center around authentic cuisine! So when in Hungary, eat Langos (fried dough prepared with all kinds of ingredients), Palacsinta (crepes) or Gulyas (goulash)! Right? Well not necessarily if you or a loved one are allergic to gluten, eggs or milk. It takes determination, resourcefulness and sadly, a more flexible budget, to still eat authentically. On an early evening walk through Budapest’s District VII, the Jewish Quarter, exploring the neighborhood’s architecture, history and ruin pubs, we peeked into restaurants and asked for menus. We were determined to have an authentic, yet safe local meal. Restaurant staff tended to be more available and willing to answer questions before the busy dinner hour. This neighborhood had dozens of grungy old buildings that had been creatively renovated to maintain their bohemian charm while creating a chic dining experience. Our fourth or fifth stop was at a restaurant that looked like a bookstore. Konyvbar (Dob utca 45, Budapest, VII) loosely translated to Book Bar, was a tastefully decorated restaurant with wall to wall bookshelves, an inviting fireplace and very bilingual wait staff! They not only had various offerings that my entire family could eat, but they were also willing to customize whatever we needed. The restaurant’s literary themed menu offered diners an intellectual and linguistic spin on the experience, making it all the more fun. Our theme was Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho so we aptly chose from drinks such as blood orange sangria and martini madness and ate narcotic red pepper cream soup with murderous chicken and butcher’s sirloin.

Some cuisines don’t always lend themselves to customization, even when on a flexible budget. While we did delight in pierogi at a wonderful little restaurant called Pierozki u Vincenta, a Van Gogh-themed small restaurant serving meat, vegetable and fruit pierogi (ul. Juliusza Lea 114, Krakow), our other evenings in Krakow, we struggled to readily find what we needed. We couldn’t find allergen-free recipes or wait staff that could answer our questions. Feeling frustrated, our kids suggested we try an international cuisine, one we knew well enough to “vet” on our own - and our hunger and frustration tolerance led us to acquiesce! While this definitely challenged our traditional methods of experiencing a foreign destination and its culture, we discovered a tiny little Sushi restaurant in the heart of the Kazimierz district in Krakow, called Youmiko Sushi (Józefa 2, 33-332 Kraków.)

Youmiko Sushi, which had approximately 3 four-top tables and a sushi counter service area for 7 - 8 people ranked in the top 10 on typical travel rating sites. Unless you came off hours, you simply couldn’t get in without a reservation. We realized that if we came early, we could sit at the bar and watch our chef prepare our food. Our sushi chef’s English was very good and he followed our instructions fabulously… we were confident as we were able to sip sake, admire his culinary artistry and at the same time, make sure all knives and surfaces were wiped clean! And I must say that this sushi was some of the best and most beautifully presented we have ever had in all our domestic and international travels. In our 4 days in Krakow, we ate there twice, each time reserving the highly coveted bar stools to have the best food safety view in town! Most larger cities now have an assortment of international restaurants. Finding those that typically suit your family's eating needs is often a nice way to improve the odds that you will have a relaxing, if not culturally local-authentic, meal.

Over the course of our 18 day trip, things didn't always go so smoothly. At least 4 - 5 times in Hungary and Poland, we sat in restaurants, read menus and in the ordering process realized we needed to leave. We quickly learned to NOT order drinks until we got through the food allergy Q & A. This is where worry sat like heavy clouds around our heads. The waiter says, "I don't THINK there's mayonnaise in the sauce," or tells you not to worry because the chef RARELY puts nuts on salads. "No, I don't think he is cooking with them tonight." This is about when someone in my family gets a gut feeling, an intuitive reading that measures the reliability of what we are being told by our servers and the weight of those worry clouds. When either reaches a certain level, we just exit! Leaving a restaurant is frustrating - and often leaves you annoyed and hungry, but ultimately reflects you at your most EMPOWERED! We trust ourselves first and foremost and listen to our inner voice at all times!

It’s also important to plan for your own pleasures. Our youngest is the one with food allergies. On our European adventures before she was born, we typically ended each evening with a treat. In Italy, for instance, we never went a day without one or two scoops of gelato - our family nightcap. It was a cherished tradition. As a family of five, we now need to plan a little differently to create our own new traditions. For food treats, we take advantage of renting space with fully stocked kitchens so we can make our own sorbet and freeze it for when we get home from dinner. And we have also taken on new non-food rituals. One of our favorites has been listening to books together on tape. The first few Harry Potter novels created beautiful shared moments on recent trips introducing our baby to my older kids’ most cherished books!

We also scheduled separate time with our older children so that they could have culinary experiences without feeling badly under the sad, jealous and sometimes even worried eyes of their sister. Taking time separately, giving space for the other children to enjoy a meal or two without our typical food allergy inquiry regimen, built more tolerance for the frustrations we often experienced when together. This commonly occurs as a matter of course for families with children of different ages. This trip, for instance, we separated to experience the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, the former Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Nothing really prepares you for the emotional impact of witnessing man’s inhumanity to man, and our littlest wasn't ready for it. I had read that quiet and space for reflection are needed to sort through the grief, terror, anger and many other emotions that seize you on this visit prior to transitioning back to the the hustle and bustle of touristy Krakow.
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We planned therefore an entire special day long outing for our youngest to give the rest of the family time to visit the camp and to transition back at their own pace, peacefully. My husband and I split the visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau over two days, each planning an age appropriate outing for our child with food allergies on the other. He brought her to Wawel Castle, a handsome castle perched on a hill with splendid views of Krakow, towers with dungeons, a dragon’s den, and beautiful gardens. On my day, I planned a low tourist day, with interesting local child friendly experiences. With over 450 shows per year, children of all ages would enjoy a visit to Krakow’s famous Groteska Theater, for a puppet show. While they are typically in Polish, they are so visual that all theatergoers can enjoy the experience. There were no shows on our day together, so we chose to visit a local hangout for young families in the heart of Krakow, called Kocia Kawiarnia Kociarna, the Cat CAFE on ul. Krowoderska, just a short walk outside the pedestrian part of town. Upon entering the cafe, you order from baristas as you would expect in any good cafe with personalized drinks, pastries and smoothies. After ordering, you are given a hand painted wooden miniature cat, which connects your party to your food and drink order and you are invited to pass into the cafe’s seating area through a special door, which separates the food preparation area form the seating zones for customers and cats - of the feline sort!!! You are asked to not pick up the cats and to only pet and indeed cuddle with them should they ask it of you. There is an additional room in the back with a loft that you can actually climb up onto, but reservations are required. We sat in the main room, patiently, eagerly hoping a cat would choose us for play! The baristas spoke English well and understood my daughter’s food allergies. They washed a blender, especially for her and made her a fruit smoothie to enjoy. She sipped heartily and happily, gently appealing to the cats with toy mice and yarn, to join her for some lap time.
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Traveling with food allergies takes extra planning, effort, flexible budgeting and scheduling, and requires a good amount of frustration tolerance, and courage. By being an avid learner and creative planner and through practiced interviewing and perseverance, you can access some authentic culinary experiences and some simply satisfying, if not culturally intriguing ones. These strategies align with the principles that inspire Food Allergy U, that of educating, supporting and empowering families with food allergies. Resuming international travel after our petrifying experience with anaphylaxis in Turkey, reaffirmed my family’s travel tradition and passion. We are again, living out our values and pastimes. I can’t guarantee allergen or reaction-free vacations, but I can be courageous, creative, resourceful and flexible.

Lori Moussapour is the founder of To Empower U.  She is a social worker, coach, public speaker, and educator - whose mission is to help people push through challenges to find both passion and balance in love, work and play. As a parent of a child with several food allergies, she is particularly dedicated to the food allergic community. She launched Food Allergy U, a division of To Empower U, to support, educate and empower those living with food allergies and to promote more sensitive, informed and inclusive communities. Lori offers one:one coaching and social work services in office or online. She is especially committed to helping individuals and families with food allergies manage worry and stress. She uses evidenced based programs to coach and counsel those whose anxieties take up too much emotional real estate. Lori writes a blog to inspire personal or professional growth and change and to empower the Food Allergic community. To learn more visit www.ToEmpowerU.com.

Guest Blog by Amanda Orlando, Founder of Everyday Allergen Free & Handled With Care

I'm so excited to announce the launch of my new allergy-friendly e-shop, Handled With Care. 

"As people with food allergies, we know that a little care goes a long way"

Why did I create the shop?
I've been allergic to peanuts, tree nuts (excluding coconut), dairy, soy, and certain legumes, my whole life. The idea for the Handled With Care was derived out of two sources of personal frustration. 

First, with online retailers that don't have a curated selection of allergy-friendly products available to browse. With so many wonderful allergy-friendly, family run companies popping up on the market, discoverability is so important! Everything in the shop is selected for people with food allergies, celiac disease, or other dietary restrictions in mind. 

The second, that outside of major cities where grocery options are limited, it can be difficult to find free-from foods. I was fortunate to have gone to university in Toronto, but many allergic teens outside of the city did not experience the same accessibility to safe foods that I did while away for school.

Given the strong focus on curation, there is also a wide selection of product bundles that make great care packages or gifts. I believe that safe products should be easily accessible and affordable for everyone, even if you don't live close to a natural foods store. 

Giving back
3% of all sales will be donated to The Walk for Andrea from now until the end of September, 2018. This charity supports food allergy research at Sick Kids hospital and the walk to raise awareness.

The Brand
The title, Handled With Care, has so much meaning for me personally. Yes, it’s a cute pun on the fact that our products are ordered and shipped, but it also reflects the thoughtfulness and care that I have put into curation, and that each customer puts into selecting products for themselves or as a gift. As people with food allergies, we know that a little care goes a long way. 

What can you find at Handled With Care?
Products from FreeYumm, Made Good, Enjoy Life, Super Seedz, Giddy Yo Yo, Zego, Vermints, Holy Crap, Kiss Freely, Da Lish cosmetics, No Nuts Beauty, Niu Body, and some exclusive accessories. And more brands coming soon!

Launch promotions
Customers will receive a free gift with purchase, graciously sponsored by FreeYumm foods, while supplies last. Shipping is only $5 on orders of $50 or more*, and free with purchases of $75 or more*

A bit more about myself:
I'm the author and photographer of Allergen-Free Desserts (2015) and Everyone's Welcome (2019) cookbooks, a long time allergy blogger, and not only do I have allergies myself, but I'm a food allergy aunt/sister/daughter and friend! I currently live in Toronto. 

Follow Handled With Care on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Follow the Everyday Allergen-Free blog on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

*Before taxes, duties, and shipping. Within Canada and the continental United States.

Have you ever had one of those enlightened conversations where you start off as a stranger and at the end realized you just found a new tribe member who gets you? Well, meet Amy Feuerstein, the mom of Drew, who inspired her husband Leigh and co-owner of OWYN (Only What You Need) to get behind the new plant-based top eight allergen-free protein drink. OWYN hopes to turn food allergy stigma on its head, one sip at a time.

It’s more than a beverage to this family.

“We were completely devastated when our son was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), we felt the world was over,” Amy recalled.  Drew was diagnosed with EOE in first grade after he vomited for two straight weeks. With a family history of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerated Colitis, this diagnosis was very unexpected as Amy had never heard of EoE.

Following doctor’s orders, Amy and the family, in solidarity with Drew, followed an elimination diet.  Amy chopped and cooked away using only limited ingredients as she followed the new diet closely while creating appetizing meals. 

Turning a negative into a positive, Amy explained to Drew, “we’re not taking things away, we’re adding in foods that are healthier for you and will make you feel better”. Tapping into her food and nutrition background, Amy closely managing her son’s diet as she zeroed in on high-flavor, nutrient-rich and allergen-free foods. 

Drew had been diagnosed with allergies to all fish and shellfish, “we carried two Epi Pens at all times: at home, traveling and school.” Amy also shared, “Drew loved sitting at the allergen-free table at school."  Allergy savvy Amy hosted many playdates, not only to calm her nerves but to provide safe and tasty snacks for all. 

“No one fully understands unless you live and breathe it yourself,” Amy explained, “you just can’t have a little.” A sentiment she remembered explaining to well-meaning family members. 

Fun in Amy's house included lively discussions about how to read and understand food labels and learning about the benefits of vitamins, minerals plus micro and macronutrients. Her kids chatted about proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. She presented food as an exciting journey to good health and growing up. These practices turned out to be a life-saver when Drew needed a special diet and food was a culinary adventure in her home with new twists and turns.

Munching away at the kitchen table, she'd point out, "this food is feeding your brain and organs." Happily, Amy described how different foods help develop muscles or regulate and strengthen the immune system to fight off disease. 

This foodie mom had tamed back the enemy and used it as a tool to heal and grow.

His EoE is currently in remission thanks to a therapy using Flovent, without it, he would be limited in his eating. “It’s been rollercoaster of emotions,” Amy reminisced thinking about the family’s early years of finding a new normal. 

"Drew is my life, it was the hardest time I have ever experienced" Amy reflected.

Looking forward, I asked Amy about the OWYN beverage, she said, "I never thought of it as a beverage." I was confused by her answer. She explained, "I think of it as fuel. Good for the body in the same way

you'd eat fruits and vegetables".  Amy indeed had turned lemons into lemonade.

A little OWYN secret: Amy’s husband Leigh confessed to wanting to erase the misconception that people with food allergies eat foods that taste like cardboard. He wants to see everyone eating healthy and nutritious foods that just happen to be allergen friendly and amazing.

The Giveaway runs from 12:00am PST on 5/13/18 to 12:00am PST 5/27/18

There is a "Made In The SAME FACILTIY" label on this product, however, they have intense testing and protocol. To learn more about OWYN's Allergen Testing Program visit their Allergen Testing Page. As always, call a manufacturer if you have questions and to find your personal comfort level with a company.

I received a package in the mail today from Organic Bread of Heaven. The box contained some very yummy looking items, which included their Rustic Sourdough, Apple Cake, Banana Bread, Chocolate Chip Cake and a bag of their Heavenly Cookie Crunch Granola. I tried the Apple Bread and it was so moist and delicious. I can't wait to try the other breads and I am very excited to dig into the Heavenly Cookie Crunch Granola. Granola has to be one of the hardest things to find without peanuts and nuts.

Organic Bread of Heaven is a family owned bakery located in Indiana. They offer a huge selection of organic, nut, peanut and soy free items.  Check out their website and look at their large selection of bakery items.  Please note that they do use coconut, so check with your allergist to make sure you are ok to eat coconut. My family is cleared for coconut, so their items are definitely an OK here for us. You can order online or call them at 219-883-5126. I received my items via Fedx and they were very fresh, however, they also offer local home delivery.

I am the father of five children, three of whom have food allergies (tree nut, dairy, egg, and sesame).  For years, I found myself in situations likely familiar to many of you – incredibly frustrated trying to find “allergy-friendly” restaurants for my family.  Whether our travels took us to nearby towns for my children’s sporting events or faraway cities for vacations, we often needed up to an hour or more just to find a restaurant that could accommodate us!  Needless to say, this constantly recurring process was challenging and emotionally taxing.

Eight years ago, I decided there had to be a way to solve this problem.  The result was AllergyEats, a website where the food allergy community came together to help each other find allergy-friendly restaurants by rating their own individual dining experiences. Since that time, AllergyEats has evolved into an app for both Apple and Android devices, as well as added sections to the website devoted to Disney World, a blog with insights about specific restaurants, dining out tips, and much more.  We also run multiple social media feeds across popular platforms.

While you may already have your “go to” restaurants, you might be surprised by the allergy-accommodating venues you’ll find by doing a search on the AllergyEats app or website. New restaurant reviews are added every day across the country, thanks to our loyal community of raters. It’s a great way to learn about an independent restaurant or a chain that you thought could never accommodate your allergies. To help our community and encourage other food-allergic diners to leave their reviews, you simply rate your restaurant experiences by answering three multiple-choice questions and add an optional comment to give more color about the details of your dining experiences. The process takes only a minute or two, but the more people who leave ratings on AllergyEats, the better for all of us when we’re searching for a place to eat.

After eight years, AllergyEats has amassed quite a database of restaurant ratings around the country.  Of course, there are still regions where AllergyEats could use greater support in terms of restaurant ratings.  Included on that list are some major markets and smaller towns in Michigan. With that in mind, we are excited to partner with No Nuts Moms Group in what we consider a win-win-win situation for the Michigan food allergy community and all AllergyEats’ users.

To help support No Nuts Moms Group’s activities in Michigan, AllergyEats will donate $5 for every restaurant rating you provide on the AllergyEats app or website from 3/26/18 through 4/30/18 using the reference code “NNMG” on the bottom of the restaurant ratings page.

By rating restaurants, you will:
1) Help other food-allergic diners find allergy-friendly restaurants (or avoid those that are not able to accommodate!)
2) Reward those restaurants that earn good ratings, and 
3) Raise funds for your local food allergy community

ALL restaurant ratings are helpful - fast food, casual dining, and fine dining; good experiences and bad; chain restaurants and mom & pops; and all allergies from the Top 8 to the hundreds of less common ones.  The important part is that you share your experiences for the benefit of others, knowing that the resource you’re helping improve might help you in the future too!

So get out and rate those restaurant experiences today!  We are all in this together!