please visit,
http://www.allergyfreetable.com/babysitting-course.aspx
http://allergyready.com/
2. For a simple explanation of signs and symptoms of allergic reaction,
please visit,
http://allergicliving.com/index.php/2010/08/31/signs-and-symptoms-of-food-allergy-2/
3. For a great resource for how to host a child with food allergies,
please visit,
http://www.happybabyfood.com/blog/generation-happy/625-hosting-a-child-with-food-allergies
4. What is CROSS-CONTAMINATION and how can you avoid it?
Cross contamination is when a food which the child is allergic to comes in contact with or touches the food they are about to eat. It can occur both in preparation, manufacturing and in food handling.
How to avoid cross-contamination:
*wash hands before preparing, serving and eating
*antibacterial gels are not effective in removing food allergens
*use separate utensils and cutting surfaces for preparing foods:mixing bowls, spatulas, cutting board, spoons, plates, utensils. Make sure that no residue is left behind when handwashing and when unloading dishwasher---I know from experience that often peanut butter, cheese, avocado,and egg linger.
*toaster ovens, waffle irons, grills and griddles that cook food with allergen are great source for cross contamination (we cook my son's meat in tin-foil when in doubt and toast bread on parchment paper in oven)
*bulk bins are a big no-no
*sharing drinking cups with allergic individual is not a good idea
*toaster ovens, waffle irons, grills and griddles that cook food with allergen are great source for cross contamination (we cook my son's meat in tin-foil when in doubt and toast bread on parchment paper in oven)
*bulk bins are a big no-no
*sharing drinking cups with allergic individual is not a good idea
*make sure table and countertop clean and any surface that touches food needs to be clean
*make sure sponge is new/clean
*make sure sponge is new/clean
*do not bring food allergens into the space, both when preparing and where serving food.
*not just food can be: pet food, play materials,cosmetics, and dish soap
*make sure to read labels for:
A good rule of thumb for checking labels, something I learned from another allergy mom:
*not just food can be: pet food, play materials,cosmetics, and dish soap
*make sure to read labels for:
May contain "name of allergen"
“Processed in a plant where "name of allergen" may be present
"Manufactured in a facility that also uses "name of allergen"
"Good manufacturing practices used to segregate "name of allergen"
*always show allergic parent the package and list of ingredients!!!!--source of much stress!!!!
A good rule of thumb for checking labels, something I learned from another allergy mom:
1. In the store, before you buy the item.
2. At home, as you're putting the item away.
3. At home, before you serve the item.
*****Allergic individuals are much more conscious of cross-contamination and go through a series of steps before deciding whether item in question is safe to eat
Examples of cross-contamination from personal experience:
*hard boiled eggs resting on top of potatoes and then offering toddler the potatoes
*cutting apple on same plate as chicken salad sandwich (mayo!) and then asking if toddler wants some apple
*growing up, adults saying that they had taken the nuts out of the brownie and that it was then safe for me to eat
*putting out a tray of bagels without sesame seeds and considering that was sufficiently safe
*a plate of cookies without original packaging or ingredient list
*putting out hummus or crackers with sesame seeds on the same table as other foods at party. just having them out is a danger, but allergen can get into safe foods as well.
*eating off of salad bar,something I had always done before. Tongs must have made there way into something with tree nuts
*as a child, I reached into a can of mixed nuts to fix out the peanuts---tree nut oil on peanuts caused allergic reaction
*cupcakes at birthday party with no list of ingredients and baked in facility that also processes nuts
*spreading hummus on pita at one classroom station and then moving cookies and my child to that same station to eat cookie.
4. For more information on how to teach others about your child's food allergy:
Please visit,
http://calorielab.com/news/2011/03/04/teach-others-about-your-childs-food-allergies/
5. For a free downloadable poster for your child's school:
Please visit,
http://allergicliving.com/index.php/2013/05/13/six-that-save-lives-free-educational-poster-for-anaphylaxis/
6. For Free Webinars:
Please visit,
http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/pages/webinars
7. For allergy-free posters and ebooks about keeping allergic children safe at school:
Please visit,
http://home.allergicchild.com/products/
