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 January 12, 2019. 

Food Allergy Deaths in 2019:

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."

Tasterie is offering No Nuts Moms Group a great discount. Enter promo code "NNMG30" and receive a 30% discount. To learn more about Tasterie, check out their website.

I am all about non-food celebrations and I want to share a craft idea that I am doing for my son's classroom.  It is fun, easy and makes a great keepsake.

My family was scheduled to be on a flight from Denver to Newark on August 31, 2013.  In the waiting area before we boarded, there was a family of five eating peanuts.  I informed them that my child had an anaphylactic peanut allergy and we then moved to different seats in the waiting area.  I also asked them if they were on our flight.  Unfortunately, the kids weren’t  just eating peanuts, but throwing them up in the air and missing their mouths as well as crushing them on the carpet.  As my eight year old looks on with horrified eyes after I had already spoken to the parents, I started taking steps that I always do to try and keep him safe when we travel.  I asked United to make an announcement on the plane that there is a child with a life threatening peanut allergy in seat 8A and to refrain from opening peanuts around him.  This has been done as a courtesy on every United flight that I have taken.  They refused to do this again and again as I spoke to multiple people on the chain of command.  They stated that the flight crew was not going to make such an announcement and that this was their final decision.  My son, at that point, is crying as they have been less than tactful in front of him and he is saying that "I don't want to die on a plane".  Of course, we refused to board.  The plane took off and then they took over two hours to get our luggage to us.  They could not have been less helpful.

To bring an eight year old to tears and to terrorize him is unacceptable and needs to be published.  United Airlines should be ashamed of themselves.  I have since done some research and found out that, after a flight crew on United made the same refusal to a woman in May, she subsequently went into anaphylaxis on the plane and the plane had to make an emergency landing.  The person who opened the peanuts, when interviewed, said if an announcement was made, they never would have opened them.  All we wanted was basic awareness and decency. I have since filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation.  My goal, however, is to bring awareness to the public of the perils of traveling with a child with life threatening allergies.  Losing a child to a food is just so senseless.  The public needs to be aware of the seriousness of food allergies.  Please see Natalie Giorgio's story here.  What a sad story.  Food allergies can kill.  The inconvenience a person might feel who really wants to eat that Reese's Peanut butter cup pales in comparison to the fear of what it must feel like to have an allergic reaction to those foods.

There are people who say that individuals, like my son, simply have to take great risks when using public transportation.  I have to say that I strongly disagree.  We can minimize these risks so easily.  So why should we be castigated by the airlines for trying to do so.

I have since been reading online and speaking to other parents with allergic children and am shocked to hear so many similar stories.  It seems like parents of children with food allergies are being "bullied" by the airlines.  I have been told about families that have been refused entry on a plane just for informing the crew their child has an allergy.  So if you inform the crew you
run the risk of being thrown off.  There are also many parents I have talked to that just feel completely terrified every time they fly (especially on United).  Funnily, United has just started a campaign using the old slogan "fly the friendly skies".  I think its time that they were exposed for the "unfriendly skies" that families with allergic children and adults with food allergies face.  Not only is the environment unfriendly but the staff is rude, unsympathetic and downright mean spirited.  Jet blue and possibly Delta by contrast will make an announcement and will create a buffer zone to keep your child safe.  They are empathetic and have always taken my son's allergy seriously.  So there is a kind and safer way to behave and create safer flying policies.  United would do well to emulate them.

A change needs to happen.  Children and adults with life threatening allergies need protection.  We are being "bullied".

The Perrin Post also published a story about this incident.  Read the story here.

Sign this Petition Requiring Airlines to Institute a
Customers Bill of Rights for Children and Adults Flying with Food.

I attended the 2013 Mylan Blogger Summit in New York City.  This is my second year being invited and I must say that it was just as exciting and informative as the first.  My favorite part of being back was reuniting with some of my fellow food allergy bloggers and meeting new faces from some of the best food allergy foundations out there.  I also really enjoyed seeing my friends from Mylan.  I really consider those ladies my friends and they truly care about our families and us.  Dr. Ruchi Gupta was also there.  I have so much respect for this lady.  She is a great physician as well as a food allergy mom.  She not only gets it, she has mutual respect for all of us food allergy moms.  Being surrounded by all of these amazing people is such a great feeling.  I have a lifelong bond with these women. 

I learned so much at the Summit and I look forward to sharing some of the information in many upcoming blog posts and facebook posts.  I encourage you to follow some of the bloggers below.  I will also share their blogs on our facebook community page. 

I disclose in any communication made by me about Epipen (epinephrine) Auto-Injector and/or the Mylan Specialty Blogger Summit that such communication is at my own discretion and based on my own opinion.  I also disclose that my travel expenses were compensated by Mylan Specialty in exchange for evaluation and feedback on information presented during the meeting.

My parents told me there was a time when you could smoke inside hospitals, even in the maternity ward.  This sounds crazy to most, but that is how it used to be.  You could smoke at your desk, in restaurants, airplanes, schools, etc.  Studies show that second hand smoke can cause cancer, which can lead to death.  So why is it so absurd that I ask you to refrain from eating anything containing peanuts and tree nuts around my child?  I am not asking to ban peanuts and tree nuts everywhere, but if there are bans in certain areas then why can't people accept it?  How is this different from a smoking ban in public places?  Some people may not like the smoking bans, but they have accepted it.  I don't see people fighting and protesting for their so-called "smoking rights" in these places.  Is it because we have all lost someone to cancer?  Is this why it is ok to ask you not to blow smoke in my face?  Do we really need more deaths to show how serious food allergies are? 

Yes, I know my child's world will never be completely peanut and nut free or smoke free, but why is it so ridiculous to some that I do not want my son around his food allergens?  Shouldn't we all want to protect our children from any harm whether it is severe or minor?  Is it really necessary for me to prove to you that my son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts?  Do you really want to see him have an allergic reaction?  Here, let me show you how my son's eyes swell shut when he comes into contact with peanut butter.  Really?  I am over people looking at me like I am the crazy one. How would you feel if I come to a children's play place smoking cigarettes and carrying a gun?  Would you and your child feel uncomfortable?  Just a tad bit?  Hmmmmmmm.  So stop looking at me like I am the crazy one.  You are for not understanding.      

Non-food allergic parents also need to stop telling me to home school my child.  I have a better solution.... If nuts are not banned from your child's school then I think all of the kids that choose to pack peanut and nuts for lunch can sit at a designated table for them.  After all, they have a choice as to whether or not they want to pack peanuts or nuts.  My child doesn't have a choice because his food allergy is a serious medical condition.  So instead of excluding and isolating my child at the peanut and nut free table, I think kids packing peanuts and nuts can sit at a table strictly for those choosing to pack that for lunch. And if you don't like it then maybe you should home school your child.  How does this sound to you?  Well, it doesn't go over well with me either.  Guess what, my child has a right to attend school just like any other child with or without a disability.  And in case you didn't know this food allergies are considered a disability under section 504 of the rehabilitation act.  So your child not being able to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not considered a violation of your rights.  In these situations, the only rights being violated here are the rights of the food allergic child.     

If you are a food allergic parent, there are a few statements that come across as being really insensitive and just plain annoying.  One being, "What is the big deal, your child has a couple hives."  "When I was a kid I used to get hives from X, Y and Z."  Hey, not the same thing!  These hives can be a sign of a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which can lead to death.  But unlike cancer, anaphylaxis can move and spread rapidly and kill instantly.  

If you are a non-food allergic parent and someone asks you to make a very minor sacrifice to keep his or her loved one safe, what would you do?  I would hope that you could understand and be willing to help out.  Wouldn't you want the same for your child if they were the one with the food allergy?  I would hope so.  I am not saying that a peanut and nut ban is the solution, but I do think people need to be more understanding and willing to protect any child with any kind of food allergy.    

On Friday, August 9th, 5% of all sales on Peanut Free Planet and Allerrific will be donated to Kids With Food Allergies.  All customers ordering will receive a free gift bag with a dozen of allergy friendly products inside.

I recently hosted my first Wildtree Party with some friends from No Nuts Moms Group of Michigan.  Prior to the party, I knew very little about Wildtree, other than the fact that they are peanut free and tree nut free.  I was so excited to learn more about the products.  There were several samples at the party and all were very good and so easy to prepare.  Everything is so healthy and it tastes good too.  It was a lot of fun and I also got some really good products for my family to eat.   

What is Wildtree?
*All natural, certified organic processor and handler of great tasting food products
*All products are peanut- and tree nut-free
*Many gluten-free products available
*100% non-GMO
*No dyes
*No preservatives, including MSG
*No additives, including high fructose corn syrup
*No hydrogenated oils


The first thing I had to order was the Pad Thai Sauce.  Prior to my son being diagnosed with a peanut and tree nut allergy, my favorite dish was Chicken Pad Thai.  I haven't had anything with peanuts and nuts since.  So when I heard that Wildtree had it, I had to try it.  I made it for dinner tonight and it was very good.  I will be making this dish again.

The second thing on my list was the taco seasoning. I am sure most of us have the taco seasoning packs in our pantry. My Wildtree consultant brought a pack of seasoning mix so that we could compare the labels. It is amazing how much healthier the Wildtree Taco Seasoning is compared to the store bought packs. I also found out that the majority of taco seasoning packs have an ingredient called Silica Gel, which is the little packs that you find inside purses or other items and it says across the pack "Do Not Eat", mixed in with the seasoning.  Yikes, no thank you!  I made the tacos the other night with the Wildtree seasoning and they were very good and the jar will last me quite a while.

I also made the Robust Tortilla Soup and it was a hit with my husband. The pack came with a seasoning pack and the recipe. I mixed the seasoning with water and then added chicken, tomatoes and corn. I then let it simmer for two hours and dinner was done. You can serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese.

I haven't made everything yet, but you can see what I got in the picture below.  Each of the items comes with a suggested recipe.  I can't wait to make the Kids Cheez Blend.  I am told by others that it is very yummy and kids love it as a substitute for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

If you are interested in hosting a Wildtree party, visit their website and locate a consultant near you.

Wildtree's Mission Statement:
Wildtree offers the highest quality herbs, spices and culinary blends that are free of preservatives, additives, fillers and promote a healthier lifestyle.  We believe in the value of making cooking a quicker, easier, more healthful  project for those who are short on time. Wildtree also offers a fun adventure  for those who wish to be more creative in the kitchen.  We offer our  representatives the opportunity to earn unlimited income and have a home based business that allows them to live the American Dream. 

I'm told that I over react and that I'm crazy...no child can react to just touching peanut residue. They weren't there when her eye was swelling up; her cries of fear became chokes from gagging.  Hives were showing up on her face, neck and arms. She rubbed her face in panic because I'm told it feels like a million fire ants crawling all over your face as the swelling spreads and her lips tingle.  She didn't eat anything with her allergens, I checked and rechecked everything. But she did touch peanut.  How was I to know?  Needing the Epipen told me so...

I’m told my child isn’t disabled.  I’m told a dog isn’t necessary to save my daughter’s life.  I have people snicker and point when we have the cashier wash off the register mat in case there is peanut residue on it.  I do not want my child to be disabled, but the fact is that she is.

I’m told my child can live a NORMAL child’s life, but the fact is that she can’t. I’m told avoidance of her food allergens is enough to keep her healthy and live a normal life.  I have to laugh at that.

So I guess when we pull up at a stop sign beside a playground and I have to tell my daughter she can’t go play in a playground with other kids because we have to avoid her allergen, and she cries with such a hurtful look on her face, that’s her living a NORMAL healthy life.

I go to the grocery store, this time alone.  I see a sign for Hershey Amusement Park.  I see other kids pointing to it…screaming with excitement to their parents.  I think to myself, I can’t take my kids there, or any amusement park for that matter.  But then again, avoidance is living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.

I see kids in the car carts at a grocery store being handed a cookie from a bakery worker.  My daughter and son can’t take the chance of eating or touching peanut residue from the cookie, so I have to tell them no and listen to them cry because they can’t understand.  But I guess that’s living a NORMAL healthy childhood life.

Oh look, “Toy Story 3” is out in theatres. Oh wait, I can’t take her to that either. They sell peanut product snacks and the seats are cloth seats that hold oils and peanut dust. But, again, that’s living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.

I see kids outside my house playing…I see some walking around with their parents, picking up rocks and just being kids in the dirt.  Last time I took my children for a walk, Amylee almost stepped on a piece of a Reese’s peanut butter cup, and we came across 4 other wrappers for snickers, peanut butter crackers, butterfingers… So we don’t go walking all around the place, enjoying a stroll like other people can.  I can’t always watch her 110% while watching my son who’s autistic.  But then again, avoidance is living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.

A guy drives down our street every day with an ice cream truck and usually stops right in front of my house.  My kids run over to the fence and stand there and watch all the other kids getting ice cream cones, and yes they have PB ice cream too.  My daughter points and turns to me saying…”I want some mommy.”  I have to tell her no. The scooper is dipped in water to be “cleaned” between scoops.  She cries and sits on the ground while I try to get her to come inside for one of her icy, peanut free frozen treats.  She just cries with a pitiful look.  But then
again, avoidance is living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.  But then again, avoidance is living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.

My daughter watches me wipe down everything so much, she is starting to not want to sit at the table at home until I clean it first. She actually points out where her brother might have gotten a drop of milk on the table, and she gets upset because it’s not clean.  When she
accidently spills something, she completely stops eating and insists on cleaning it up before she continues.  What child is so concerned with things being cleaned they actually get upset.
But then again, avoidance is living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.

Suddenly, you notice your daughter’s eye watering and starting to swell.  Under both her eyes turns purple and her face starts to swell.  She starts sneezing and coughing, mucus comes out of her nose, mouth and eyes and she is gagging.  You lay her on the breakfast nook and
scream for your husband. You open a single dose of Benadryl and hope she can swallow it, and then get out her EpiPen.  You pull her pants down and hold her hands back, count to her, one…two, three, and stick her in the leg with the EpiPen. Then you count to ten, like you’re
supposed to and pull it out, rub her leg while she starts wailing in pain. You pick her up and hold her to your shoulder while your husband calls 911. She starts shaking and sweating, her heart feels like it’s going to burst its beating so hard and fast.

“What happened??  What did I miss?  What did she touch that I didn’t see?”  You have a million questions running through your mind, including, “will she be ok?” The ambulance arrives and they take her to the back of the truck and load her in.  She’s so cared laying there, strangers hanging over her. They hook her up to heart monitors and give her oxygen while they listen to her lungs and thankfully, they say, “Her lungs sound ok so far.  You got the meds in quick enough.  Good job mom.  ”Did they just say good job mom?  How is that a good job you think?  You missed something somewhere…you weren’t careful enough.  The only thing that comes to mind is she touched a deer on the mouth that everyone was looking at that YOU brought home after hunting.  This would be a deer that eats tree nuts, including black walnuts. She also touched the neighbor guy’s grandsons hand before you could get her away. She touched him on the palm.  He also was hunting and it’s common to have PB&J for kid’s lunches while hunting. Though, again, you’ll never know for sure what it was, since you couldn’t see it to begin with.

Five hours in a hospital, watching the doctors and nurses monitor your 2yr old daughter’s blood pressure go from unstable to normal and stabilize.  Watching them undress her taking her clothes off of her because she was sweating and see the hives cover her tiny body. Watching her scratch until she almost scratched herself raw.  Then she settled and passed out, she fell asleep from all her meds.  You watched the nurses come in and try to wake her long enough to get steroid doses and stronger antihistamines into her. Hours later, you’re home. You’ve been told to monitor her throughout the night and next two days because anaphylaxis can return 24-48 hours without notice.

But then again, avoidance is living a healthy NORMAL childhood life.  But again, there is no need for a service dog that can smell and alert you to peanut residue you can’t see so you can
avoid it.  I'm crazy for thinking that.  I wonder if those who chuckled at me would laugh after reading that true story that happened November 29, 2010. 

As some people put it, I was crazy to put so much effort and money into a special service dog that smelled for peanuts.  I was told it was a "waste of money."  I was laughed at and told how many other people lived their whole lives with bad peanut allergies and never needed a service dog to live a "normal life".  I even had doctors try to talk me out of it. So, what did I do? I didn't listen to them, I trusted my heart, and did what I felt was right for our daughter.

Our llives changed in the spring of 2011.  We traveled to Colorado and spent two weeks being trained on how to be a service dog handler.  This dog was one that changed our lives forever. Rex was trained by a professional K9 odor detection trainer to smell and alert to peanut odor. This allows us to clean it or avoid it and keep our daughter much safer.  He's another tool in our tool box of prevention.  He is a blessing with four paws, a wet nose and wagging tail.

After we came home with Rex and we started taking him places, he started showing us that the world was not covered in peanut.  That summer, we packed up our Lysol wipes and Epipens and took our children to the amusement park for the first time in two years. Amylee got to pick the first ride, pink flying elephants.  We took Rex over, he did his job, smelled the seat, the handle, the strap... no alert.  I can still see Amylee's hands touching the ride while she climbed in...It was like in slow motion. My heart was in my throat. Both my kids were strapped in and the ride started. Seconds into it, Amylee exploded in laughter. She had the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face... She giggled and giggled.... I looked down at Rex and just started crying.  There I was, in tears, hugging a dog and watching my kids on flying pink elephants.  I must've been a sight!  But it was right then that I realized that Rex wasn't just for my daughter, but he was for us too.  Because of him showing us the world was not covered in peanut...Amylee realized it too and got her childhood back.  That makes him absolutely priceless.  That dog lifted a mountain off our shoulders.  When we first got him, if Amylee walked out the door, Rex was with her.  Now, after two years of having Rex, we only take him to places that cannot be controlled by using Lysol wipes. Like the playgrounds, doctors’ offices and places with cloth seats...etc. We do take him to places like grocery stores, etc to keep him in check with public places full of scents and people.  All in all...it's an amazing life with Rex, but he wouldn't be the dog he is without the professionalism of his trainer and the trainers we worked with when we got him.  I just can't say enough about how Rex has helped us and most importantly, helped our daughter. God has a reason for everything, and Rex was born to give our daughter her childhood back.

It's not easy being a parent of a child with multiple life threatening food allergies.  That's the truth.  Would I want Amylee any other way?  Of course, I'd love for her to not have any health issues...what parent wouldn't?  We're blessed she only has food allergies and eczema.  There are much more terrible things she could have. But when she asks me why she has food allergies, this is what I tell her.  "You...were made very special by God.  He made you a bit different but he always has his reasons.  We may not understand them, but we do have to accept them and trust Him.  Because of you, I realized I wasn't the person I needed to be.  I needed to have more patience, more understanding, take a little more time to know what's important in life...I needed to step outside of my comfort zone to try to make a tiny difference. Because of you, other people now know there are service dogs out there that can help them, like Rexy did for us. Because of you, we as a family now eats better than we ever did before...excluding a lot of prepackaged foods and turning to eating more fresh foods. Because of you, mommy stood in front of 1000's of people over the course of a year and talked with them about food allergies and service dogs, how they can help others with food allergies by
simply becoming educated about it. I mean, how many times did I not wash my hands after eating something with peanuts in it and just go into a store and touch clothing, or toys... I learned to be more aware of others because of you.  Because of you, I looked more to God for understanding and learned I needed him more for not only my own emotions, but for my EVERYTHING.  You and your food allergies changed my life for the better and now I am a better mommy to you and your brother. You slowed me down and helped me to take the time to enjoy every moment. You're not different in a bad way at all...you're a blessing in every way. Nothing in life is intended to bring you down...it's only intended to lift you up. ~ God bless

Food is such a huge part of our society and school these days.  In school you have snack time, lunch and then all of the parties. You have 20 or more birthdays and then all of the holiday parties and after school activities.  YIKES, that is a lot of food!  Many schools still allow homemade baked goods into the classroom and the food allergic child is offered something else to eat or the mother of that child tries to emulate the other children’s cupcakes as best as she can.  Hats off to you moms, but your child is being excluded. Not cool!  And then you have the schools that require labels on any foods for celebrations.  This is great, but only for the peanut and nut allergic children.  And even then you have to trust that these people are checking the labels carefully before serving them to your highly allergic child.  

 I strongly believe that the best option for everyone is eliminating all food celebrations in the classroom.  My son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts so the label thing may work for him,
but what about the other kids in the classroom allergic to other food items, such as milk or eggs?  My main concern is my son, but I feel as if I should also speak up on behalf of the
other food allergic children. I really hate the idea of any child being excluded because of their food allergies. I just feel this is unnecessary and there are so many other alternatives. I understand that food celebrations are a big part of our culture, but food allergies are on the rise and things need to change.

A lot of people do not realize that just because an item has a label on it without a peanut and/or nut warning that it is safe to eat. This isn't the case. The FDA requires manufacturers to label the top eight allergens if they are an actual ingredient in that product, but they do not require manufacturers to use labels such as "may contains" or "manufactured in the same facility".  At this time, those statements are strictly voluntary and are not required.  Fortunately, the majority of large manufacturers are using these statements on their labels.  But it is always scary having a food allergic child try any new items whether they are prepackaged or not.  For this reason, my family sticks to larger manufactures and we do not try a lot of new products. 

The CDC has just announced that food allergies in children are on a rise and are a big problem.  It has become an epidemic and we will continue to see more and more kids at school with potentially deadly allergies to milk, nuts, eggs, fish and the list goes on and on.