Eat Nut-Free » Awareness

EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector – Important Safety Information on Correct Usage – For the Public

Marc — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:48:19 +0000

It has been a while since I’ve updated this site.

Sorry!

This announcement is an important one for anyone that has an auto-injector.

There have been some cases of people not understanding quite how to remove the cap or handle the EPI-Pen properly resulting in accidents.

Subject: Important Safety Information on the Correct Use of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Jr Auto-Injector

Pfizer Canada Inc. (distributor of EpiPen for Dey Pharma, L.P.) in collaboration with Health Canada would like to remind patients of the correct method to remove the blue safety cap and of the importance of following the instructions for use of EpiPen (0.3 mg epinephrine auto-injector) and EpiPen Jr (0.15 mg epinephrine auto-injector). It has recently come to our attention that removal of the blue safety cap the wrong way by pulling it sideways or bending and twisting it off may prevent the device from working properly and potentially result in failure to deliver the drug.

Read on for the full advisory.

Food allergies: fact or fad? – Editorial – The Cape Breton Post

Marc — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:41:19 +0000

Food allergies: fact or fad?

As a father of a food-allergic child I know that this FACT is not a FAD.

This article has good insight and urges us all to think rationally when others around us are doubting our family’s health concerns.

A new British study on nut-allergy sufferers found that “parents are routinely made to feel by friends and even family that their child’s nut allergy is a ‘frivolous and self indulgent fad invented and maintained by attention-seeking people.’”

via Food allergies: fact or fad? – Editorial – The Cape Breton Post.

Enjoy Life Shows Support For Food Allergy Community | Press Releases @ Your-Story.org

Marc — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:42:46 +0000

A big shout out to Enjoy Life!

Our family has enjoyed a few of their products and appreciate the work they do to provide tasty allergic aware foods (can a food be aware?).

Enjoy Life Shows Support For Food Allergy Community By Becoming Gold Level Sponsor Of The Kids With Food Allergies FoundationAugust 11, 2011 | Author: EnjoyLifeFoods | Posted in Food & Drink0inShareAugust 10, 2011 Chicago – Enjoy Life Foods, the leading allergen-friendly brand in the Supermarket and Natural Foods stores, has broadened its partnership with the Kids With Food Allergies Foundation, a leading resource site and organization for families who struggle with the everyday challenges of food allergies. By elevating itself to a Gold Level Sponsor, Enjoy Life will support a variety of KFA’s initiatives, as well as provide an opportunity for new KFA members to receive valuable coupons for Enjoy Life’s products, all of which are free of the 8 common allergens.

via Enjoy Life Shows Support For Food Allergy Community By Becoming Gold Level Sponsor Of The Kids With Food Allergies Foundation | Press Releases @ Your-Story.org.

CTV British Columbia – Misreading nut labels a potentially deadly mistake – CTV News

Marc — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:40:53 +0000

Even companies with the right intentions are taking the crossed-out peanut to mean they can include nuts in thier ingredients.

Be vigilant when reading labels!

A registered nurse is sounding the nut allergy alarm over potentially confusing allergy labels on packaged foods.

While the red circle with a line through it is an internationally recognized symbol for ‘no,’ the symbol with a line through a peanut doesn’t necessarily mean no nuts.

Rob Cimaglia, who has a severe allergy to tree nuts, was shocked to discover that a package of granola bars he purchased at IGA had the no-nut symbol on the front, but contained almonds in the ingredient list

Read on at CTV British Columbia – Misreading nut labels a potentially deadly mistake – CTV News.

CBC News – Stricter food label rules target allergens

Marc — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:30:16 +0000

HUGE Win for the Canadian Food Allergic Population

Food manufacturers have 18 months to adhere to tighter rules dealing with the labelling of food allergens, Health Canada announced Monday.

The amended rules would target food allergens, gluten sources and sulphites, which will have to be explicitly identified on packaging.Manufacturers will be required to list what type of allergens, gluten sources or sulphites are present in a product or in any of the ingredients used to make that product.

For example, a food product that lists “spice” or “seasoning” as an ingredient would have to specify whether the ingredient contains allergenic substances.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said Monday the new labelling requirements do not include beer and wine, which are being dealt with separately, because the government needed to move on food now.

The revised rules were first introduced in 2008 by then-health minister Tony Clement.

Most of the new regulations were published officially Monday in the Canada Gazette, the government publication that lists all laws and Orders-in-Council.

Read the full article via CBC News – Politics – Stricter food label rules target allergens.

Win an autographed copy of one of Kyle Dine’s CDs!

Marc — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:37:01 +0000

Now that you all know about Kyle Dine you will be happy to hear that I have a copy of each of Kyle Dine’s albums

Food Allergies Rock, his newest release

and You Must Be Nuts

BOTH AUTOGRAPHED AND AVAILABLE TO BE WON!!!

To win one (it will be a random draw for each) all you have to do is comment here with a piece of info about Kyle that you find on his website or on his Facebook page! While you’re on his Facebook page make sure you Like it!!!

With hits like Food Allergies Rock, My Epineph-Friend, Epiman, The Doghouse and The Birthday Party, these albums should be in everyone’s collection! If you don’t win be sure to order one or both!

The contest will run until the end of the day on March 1st so be sure to post! One post per person please. Multiple comments will only be counted once. I will do a random draw on or around the 2nd of March and contact the winners around the same time.

Good luck and spread the news of the contest!!!

Kyle Dine Rocks!

Marc — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:05:52 +0000

Last month, we had the great pleasure of seeing Kyle Dine in concert! Kyle Dine is a musician who records and performs children’s music about food allergies. His songs contain positive messages on living with and safely managing one’s food allergies, and his concerts are educational, uplifting, and a lot of fun. We had the opportunity to ask a few questions of this gifted songwriter.

How old were you when you found out you had a food allergy and how did it happen?

I first found out that I had food allergies when I was two years old. My parents tell me that I experienced a rash and hives all over my body after consuming a milkshake which had egg in the ice cream.

What are you allergic to?

I am currently allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, mustard, penicillin, and dogs and cats.

When did you start advocating for food allergic people?

I started advocating for people with allergies when I was in university. I did a few backpacking trips across Europe, and realized how difficult it was to travel safely when dealing with foreign languages. I created http://www.facebook.com/l/a501bF-7bLSBIWwKLP3ny-k5_Pw;www.allergytranslation.com as a tool to help communicate dietary needs on a credit card sized translation card.

When did you decide that music was how you wanted to send the message?

I have always been passionate about music, but the idea to do songs about food allergies came to me when I was teaching guitar at a peanut-free summer camp. Music is such an effective way to convey a message, as well as instilling elements of fun and engagement to listeners.

Your songs definitely relay a positive message; in fact, they even seem celebratory. How important do you think it is for kids to feel as if they can “celebrate” their allergies?

There is a constant theme of optimism in all my songs. This is really important to me because I want kids to focus on the positive, and become empowered over their allergies. The likelihood of risk-taking is lower when children are confident about what they need to do to stay safe.

Managing one’s own serious food allergies is a big thing for a child to take responsibility of. I’ve read that taking on responsibility is a big component on the road to maturity for children. Do you think that children with life-threatening allergies have a bit of a boost on the road to maturity as a result of their allergies?

I think kids with allergies are generally more mature at a young age. Children with allergies are grasping concepts from early on that require them to be mindful of what they eat and how to act if an accidental reaction occurs. Although it does not always seem fair that kids need to be thinking of this when they are so young, I personally felt proud of the fact that I could take care of myself and loved being thought of as a responsible kid.

I love the fact that your messaging to children is consistent and easy to follow (e.g., don’t eat anything that isn’t from your own home). Do you think it’s comforting for youngsters to hear “rules” that are straightforward?

The reason I enjoy writing music about food allergies so much is because it gives the opportunity to take a simple concept and craft a series of straightforward rules around it. I commonly use the verse of the song to expand on some of these rules, and then use the chorus to reinforce the main message through repetition.

Your music is a wonderful resource for both educating and entertaining allergic children. As a parent of an allergic child, I’ve also found it to be a great resource for me as well. Having not had allergies myself, I feel like your songs are giving me some insight into what its like to be a child with life-threatening allergies, which fills a gap for me because my child isn’t really able to tell me yet what having allergies is like for him. Do you ever think of yourself as being a voice for the children you’re singing to, giving them songs so they can sing to us about their feelings and experiences?

That’s a really interesting perspective! All of my songs come from two different voices – myself and my own personal experiences, and children/families that I’ve met who deal with allergies. I have learned so much from others, and really tried to incorporate their experiences, concerns, and rules into my songs.Ultimately through my experiences and others, I want kids to know that they are not the only ones going through this. There are many others with allergies, and hopefully my songs give them something to relate and grasp to.

My son would like to know what your favorite animal is.

My favorite animals are elephants! My dream is to one day ride on one!

Food Allergies Rock - Kyle Dine

Kyle’s newest album, Food Allergies Rock, is available for sale on his website. Follow this link to get one now!

Stay tuned for an exciting chance to win a copy of his newest album right here at Eat Nut Free!

WestJet Steps Up to the Mike | Allergic Living

Marc — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:13:50 +0000

By: Gwen Smith, Allergic Living Editor

Hallelujah, we’ve been heard. If you ask a flight attendant on WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, she or he will step to the microphone and ask fellow passengers to please not pull out nut or peanut snacks. The attendant will briefly explain that this is because there is a person onboard with serious allergies.

via WestJet Steps Up to the Mike | Allergic Living.

Of course this is HUGE news for the food allergic traveller our there. WestJet knows how to deal with the public, unlike Air Canada that gives you a buffer zone, IF you have filled in the required form from your doctor and faxed to the medical desk and a call to Reservations to book the zone. At least they have something.

Allergic Living – Quaker facility closed. Boy goes home :)

Marc — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:54:38 +0000

Allergic Living has reported that after the packaging error that occurred last week at the Quaker Canada facility the facility has been closed pending an internal investigation and that the boy that was affected by an allergic reaction has gone home.

We’re happy for the good news about the boy and hope that Quaker gets to the bottom of this soon!

Read the article here…

From the Quaker website

IMPORTANT PRODUCT NOTICE

The health and safety of our consumers is our highest priority. Accordingly, Quaker Canada has initiated a voluntary recall of our 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack cartons that may have been mis-labeled. No other packages of Quaker bars or Quaker products are affected.

Quaker Canada is taking this action out of an abundance of caution because the outside packaging erroneously states that the boxes should contain Chewy Chocolate Chip and Chewy S’mores bars, both of which are made in a peanut-free facility. The individually-wrapped bars are clearly and accurately labeled.

Consumers who have purchased a 14 count Quaker Chewy Granola Bars Value Pack carton with a UPC Bar Code ending in 10742 should inspect the contents of the carton to ensure it contains the correct product (Chewy Chocolate Chip and Chewy S’mores bars). If the carton contains Dipps Chocolate Chip and Dipps Caramel Nut bars and a consumer has a peanut or tree nut allergy, they should return it to the retailer where it was purchased for a refund.

No other packages of Quaker bars or Quaker products are affected.

There is NO health risk associated with handling the mis-labeled product for disposal, however this product should not be consumed by those in a peanut or tree nut-allergic household. The company is working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Anaphylaxis Canada to notify the public.

Consumers with questions may contact us by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-267-6287.

NoTrickTreats.com Helps Children with Restricted Diets Enjoy Halloween

Marc — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:46:19 +0000

Jon sent us news of a new service website on the web that aims to help kids find safe homes to Trick or Treat at. I’ve checked it out and it’s really well done and easy to follow. All we need now is for EVERYONE to use it!

Check out this news release and get your home listed too! I did and I hope it helps.

Although many American children list Halloween as their favorite holiday, this is less often the case when – due to a dietary restriction – a child can’t enjoy the same candy as everyone else. But a new website is looking to change that.

This fall, for the first time, NoTrickTreats.com will let children and their parents make a custom trick-or-treating map of their area, showing the homes that will be giving out Halloween treats that they can enjoy. Homes and business that will be serving specialty candy can mark themselves on the map, indicating whether their treats will be suitable for vegan, nut-free, diabetic, organic, kosher, gluten-free, or raw diets.

“There’s no denying that Halloween is a blast”, says Jon Zornow – the site’s creator, “but it’s a candy-centric holiday, and it leaves a lot of kids feeling excluded.” Zornow, who is vegan, says he was inspired to create the site when he realized that if he had been vegan growing up, he would probably hate Halloween – and that vegan kids weren’t the only ones missing out.

The site, NoTrickTreats.com, lets you find your neighborhood and search for homes by food specialty. It’s easy to use and user-friendly for trick-or-treaters of all ages and computer skills. Although it has only been online for a few days, Zornow says has been humbled by the positive response. “I’ve heard from numerous parents and bloggers who are excited to search and share their Halloween information. It feels good to be part of something that is helping the whole community.”