Seacoast Food Allergy Group

SFAG May 16th Meeting News

2011-07-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

If your were not able to attend last meeting, we wanted to share with you what went on...Big changes happened!

After many years of dedicated work to the Seacoast Food Allergy Group, Tamara Leibowitz, has handed the group to the care of Susan Engle. Thank you Tamara for all your hard work and passion for this group!

Susan Engle, with support from Jennifer DePiano and Ilara Donarum, will be taking over. We hope that we can continue to grow and offer everyone support and information they need navigating the Food Allergy World!

In addition, our Medical Advisor, Dr. Barbara Deuell, provided us with current research articles. We will have them available at the next meeting if anyone would like to read through them if you missed the last meeting.

Hope to see everyone at our next meeting on August 29th.

With ban, allergic Red Sox fans cheer, breathe - The Boston Globe

2011-06-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

With ban, allergic Red Sox fans cheer, breathe - The Boston Globe

504 Information for Back to School

2011-05-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Ready-for-School-with-Food-Allergies-.html?soid=1101439904708&aid=4d30VDYfbZc

Traveling with allergies resource

2011-05-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.allergictraveler.net/

NH Fisher Cats Feature Peanut-free zones at 2 Games this Season!

2011-05-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA-Toronto Blue Jays) will be featuring peanut free zones at two home games this season. Thursday, May 19^th at 10:35 a.m. and Wednesday, June 22^nd at 7:05 p.m.

Contact Phil McMullen, Director of Hospitality, for more information

Direct: 603-606-4116

pmcmullen@nhfishercats.com

2011 Update on Egg Allergy and Flu Vaccine

2011-04-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

egg allergy and flu vaccine (via KFA)

Food Allergic Kids | School Resources

2011-04-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

No matter if it's daycare or college, sending your child off to school is tough for any parent — especially those with food-allergic children. From creating a Section 504 Plan to communicating early on with teachers and school nurses, planning is essential. KFA provides you with the resources your child needs to guarantee a successful (and safe) school year.

Food Allergic Kids | School Resources

2nd Annual FAAN Walk for Food Allergies-Portland ME

2011-04-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Save the Date: 2nd Annual FAAN Walk for Food Allergies
Saturday, October 1, 2011 1:00
Payson Park, Portland ME

Register to Walk:
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network Walk for Food Allergy:

On Facebook:

Visit us at the address below and select LIKE and join our page

www.facebook.com/pages/FAAN-Walk-for-Food-Allergy-in-Portland-Maine/146988758693739

Food Allergy Awareness Week - FAAN

2011-04-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 8-14

Look for school presntations, PAL Hero awards and more on FAAN's web site.

Food Allergy Awareness Week - FAAN

Video: Parents target girl allergic to peanuts

2011-03-25T04:20:00.000-07:00

Dr. Scott Sicherer from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine dissects the issues surrounding keeping children with food allergies safe in school, in light of the incident ongoing in Florida. Worth a watch.

Video: Parents target girl allergic to peanuts

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Outgrowing Milk Allergy May Take Some Babies Longer Than Expected - US News and World Report

2011-03-24T05:49:00.000-07:00

Outgrowing Milk Allergy May Take Some Babies Longer Than Expected - US News and World Report

New Study by FAI-Caregiver Impact

2011-03-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

The impact of food allergies on caregivers' quality of life varies widely, according to an FAI-sponsored study published in theAnnals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. But one factor is constant: concern about the social limitations on food-allergic children, especially in school and daycare settings.

Dr. Ruchi Gupta and colleagues at Children's Memorial Hospitaland Northwestern University (Chicago) surveyed 1,126 caregivers nationwide from January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2009. The authors believe that this the largest study to evaluate food allergies' effect on caregivers in the United States.

Food Allergy Initiative - STudy Examines Caregivers' Quality of Life

Eating Out With Food Allergies

2011-03-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

Kids With Food Allergies published an interview with Dr. Michael Pistiner (an allergist and food-allergy advocate) entitled Educational Eating. It's worth a read, particularly for those who are new to food allergies and concerned about how to keep safe while dining out.

Eating Out With Food Allergies

Diet, Environment, and Children’s Food Allergies: newyorker.com

2011-03-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

Great article in The New Yorker! How things have changed!

Diet, Environment, and Children’s Food Allergies: newyorker.com

Peanut Butter alternative

2011-02-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

WOWBUTTER.com - SAFE4SCHOOL WOWBUTTER (soybutter) - Peanut Butter Replacement

FAAN e-Discount Place - FAAN

2011-02-15T05:28:00.000-08:00

Check out the discounts offered on allergy friendly products.

FAAN e-Discount Place - FAAN

AAD: Atopic Dermatitis Precursor for Food Allergies --Doctors Lounge

2011-02-09T04:15:00.000-08:00

AAD: Atopic Dermatitis Precursor for Food Allergies --Doctors Lounge

Food allergies? 7 tips for safely celebrating Valentine's Day at School

2011-02-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

Food allergies? 7 tips for safely celebrating Valentine's Day at School

Dum Dum Lollipop Allergen Info

2011-01-29T06:22:00.001-08:00

A Spangler representative confirmed that the information on their website was outdated and has now been updated to reflect accurate information. They also shared the following information with us:

Four years ago, Dum Dums lollipops with a bubble gum and chewy center were manufactured in Brazil. This bubble gum lollipop was discontinued a couple of years ago as we started to manufacture these products in Bryan, Ohio. Since then, we have been manufacturing all Dum Dum lollipops at our facility in Bryan, Ohio USA. In Bryan, there are no problems with the allergens caused by tree nuts, peanuts, wheat gluten, milk, eggs or soy.

Even though we have stopped the importing of the Dum Dum chewy pops from Brazil, we cannot completely guarantee that there is none left in the marketplace. However, the bag will state where the product is manufactured.

Here is an important observation concerning chewy lollipops that have been removed from the bag:

If the chewy Dum Dum has a PAPER STICK, it is manufactured in the USA and free of allergens.
If the chewy Dum Dum has a PLASTIC STICK, it is manufactured in Brazil and has been in a plant with peanut/milk allergens.

Allergy Free Candy | Allergen Free Candy | Allergy Free Bulk Candy

ELL Offers Online Training

2011-01-25T05:58:00.000-08:00

Online Training for Food Allergic Families – Special pricing for a limited time only

Parents, grandparents, caregivers and family friends can participate in this comprehensive online training program developed in collaboration with leading experts in allergy & immunology for just $29.95 for a limited time. Modules include a medical review of food allergies along with educational units presented by the ELL Foundation leadership team including the following:
The Need for Food Allergy Safety Training

Creating a Safer Environment for Food Allergic Children

Protect – A comprehensive review of the primary risk areas to food allergic children
Allergic – Understanding food allergies, recognizing signs/symptoms and a review of the leading hypotheses supporting the dramatic rise in food allergy diagnoses
Children – A review of optional protocols and procedures to protect food allergic children through the development of food allergy safety guidelines

Food Preparation Options for a Food Allergic Family
Assessing Psycho-Social Health Among Food Allergic Children
Preparing to Enroll a Food Allergic Child in School
Food Allergy Resources
Risk Assessment Worksheet (RAW): A tool to assist in creating a “family specific” set of food allergy safety guidelines

Following the completion of the online training session, participants will receive an electronic version of the presentation modules, supporting worksheets and tools. For a limited time only, a special, discounted rate of $29.95 will be offered to those who register by February 15th, 2011. ClickHERE or contact contact us directly HERE for more information.Online Training for Families of Food Allergic Children | ELL, Inc.

Peanut Allergy Clinical Trial

2011-01-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

The following clinical trial is recruiting participants nationally. FAI is providing information about this study as a service to our constituents.

Study PEP01.09 : Investigational New Drug for Peanut Allergy Using a Skin Delivery SystemResearch sites across the US are looking for a specific category of subjects to complete a research study of the safety and tolerability of an investigational new drug using a skin delivery system for those with a peanut allergy. To qualify, participants must:

Be between the ages of 18 and 50 years
Have a physician-diagnosed or a well-documented history of peanut allergy
Have experienced some severe reactions to peanuts including for example difficulty swallowing, wheezing, feeling of "pending doom," drop of blood pressure, loss of consciousness.

Additional study criteria will be reviewed with study staff at the first study visit.

The study lasts approximately 6 weeks and requires 7 study visits. Participants will receive study-related visits, study-related medical evaluations, and an EpiPen at no cost, plus compensation for time and travel.

Research sites are: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; The National Jewish Medical & Research Center, Denver, CO; Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, AR; Aspen CR, Orem, UT; and CRI Worldwide, Willingboro, NJ.

Find out if you may qualify by contacting:1-877-41-ALLERGY (1-877-412-5537) or visit www.peanutallergytrial.com

Label Changes

2011-01-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

ALERT! Read Labels Carefully: Five Recent Label Changes
Recently, several food labels have changed, so this is a great reminder to read labels every time you purchase a product. Ingredients or manufacturing processes can change at any time. Please keep in mind that cross-contamination warnings (such as "may contain..." or "made on the same equipment that processes...") are voluntary and not required to be disclosed on labels.

1. Silk Soymilk labels now state, "May contain almonds or coconut," because the soymilk may be manufactured on equipment that is used by products that contain almond or coconut. Not all containers have this warning yet.

2. Clabber Girl Baking Powder labels now state, "Manufactured on equipment that also processes wheat, soy, milk and egg." The front of the can states they are still producing in a peanut-free facility. Old cans claimed, "Gluten Free".

3. Wheaties cereal states, "May contain almonds." Wheaties Fuel cereal states, "May contain almonds or peanuts."

4. Hostess Cupcakes are labeled with a "May contain walnuts" warning. Some Hostess Donettes are now labeled as "May contain walnuts and pecans."

5. According to the Spangler candy website, Dum Dum Gum Pops and Dum Dum Chewy Pops made in the USA are free of peanuts, tree nuts, egg, gluten, and milk. But be aware that Dum Dum Gum Pops and Dum Dum Chewy Pops made in Brazil are manufactured in a facility where peanuts and milk are used in the manufacturing of other products. Please check the back panel of the item you are purchasing for country of origin. This information is only on the original bag, not on the individual wrappers.

EpiPen Mobile App

2011-01-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

mobileapp
New MyEpiPen mobile application makes it easier to tell teachers about your child's allergies, show other parents the EpiPen How-to-use video or quickly send an EpiPen User Guide to camp counselors. So no matter who is looking after your child, it's easy to get them the information they need to help care for your child.

Key Features:
• How-to-use EpiPen Auto-Injector video
• Customizable allergy profiles for everyone in your family recapping allergens, signs and symptoms
• Easy-to-print EpiPen User Guide

FAAMA Passes Congress!

2010-12-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Seacoast Food Allergy Group,

We did it!!

Five years after the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act (FAAMA) was introduced in the U.S. Congress, FAAMA has finally passed as part of the food safety bill and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama.

FAAMA will lead to the much-needed creation of national food allergy management guidelines for schools. While these guidelines are voluntary, they will provide schools without existing food allergy management policies with a valuable resource.

These policies are critical to help educate school officials about food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition, and help them implement emergency plans in case a severe reaction occurs on school grounds. Studies have shown that up to 25% percent of reactions in school occur in children with previously undiagnosed food allergy.

Earlier this month, a fatal reaction occurred at a school in Chicago, allegedly due to food that was consumed at school.

The guidelines will also benefit parents of children with food allergies, who are looking for a vetted resource to help them safely manage their child’s food allergies in the school setting.

Written largely by FAAN, the national guidelines will not supersede existing or pending state laws orguidelines concerning schools and food allergies. The FAAMA guidelines should be seen as a complement to existing guidelines created as a result of other legislation.

This tremendous accomplishment was made possible by the thousands of individuals who advocated for this legislation and many elected representatives who co-sponsored FAAMA over the years, most notably Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), whose daughter has a food allergy, and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who has a grandchild with a food allergy.

We celebrate the passage of FAAMA today, but our work is not done. FAAN will continue to work diligently to raise awareness, educate others, and advocate on behalf of the millions of Americans with food allergy and anaphylaxis.

Thank you all for your support!

Julia Bradsher
FAAN CEO

NIH Food Allergy Guidelines

2010-12-09T06:11:00.000-08:00

FOOD ALLERGY GUIDELINES

For the first time, clinical guidelines have been issued to help assure quality diagnosis and treatment for millions of American adults and children living with food allergies. These guidelines are intended for use by physicians and other health care practitioners who treat food allergies. Patients will benefit directly, because the guidelines will provide standardized information and recommendations to healthcare providers for the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies.

A panel of experts convened by the NIH/NIAID, which oversees allergy research, developed these guidelines, and we are proud to play an important role in these guidelines: AAFA's Vice President of Policy & Programs serves on the NIAID's Clinical Practice Guidelines Coordinating Committee, responsible for writing the new guidelines. Also, AAFA's President and CEO serves as a member of the National Advisory Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

What Can You Do?

If you have food allergies or care for a child or loved one with food allergies, here is what you can do:

See the links below to information about the Food Allergy Guidelines.
Make sure your healthcare provider is familiar of the new guidelines.

Food Allergy Resources and Tools

Food Allergy Books-Special Offer

2010-12-09T06:08:00.000-08:00

Linda Coss, author of several food allergy cookbook's and management books is offering holiday discounts on these great books:

(From Linda Coss)

When it comes to raising a child with life-threatening food allergies, it really does “take a village” - there are many people who need to be on the food allergy management team. That’s why every holiday season since I published my first book in 2000 I've encouraged people to consider giving food allergy books to relatives, friends, caregivers and anyone else who would benefit from having helpful food allergy resources on hand.

Once again, I'm running my annual holiday special: Order by December 31, 2010 and get FREE Priority Mail shipping. There’s no minimum order or coupons required, and you can also save up to 26% when you order the books in sets.

Just go to www.FoodAllergyBooks.com to place your order.

As always, those who would like their books personally autographed or need me to include a gift card just need to ask (by leaving me a note in the “special instructions” section of the order form).

Thank you in advance for helping me spread the word.

Best wishes,

Linda Coss
Plumtree Press
949-699-2749
Books to Help Your Family Live with Food Allergies
www.FoodAllergyBooks.com

Gathering for Thanksgiving - FAAN

2010-11-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

Gathering for Thanksgiving - FAAN

Food Allergy Research

2010-11-23T18:14:00.001-08:00

New Research Presented at ACAAI’s Annual Meeting

Leading allergists and immunologists from around the world gathered last week in Phoenix at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology(ACAAI).

Presentations included the Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF-2), a promising Chinese herbal formula currently being tested for use to treat food allergies; a preview of guidelines for diagnosis and management of food allergy in the U.S. (to be released next month); and the ability of peanut- or tree nut-allergic patients to visually identify these foods (researchers noted that only half of peanut- or tree nut-allergic patients ages 6 and up knew what the nut they are allergic to looked like).

Here are highlights from the media releases from ACAAI.

Researchers presented findings that influenza vaccines (seasonal and H1N1) can contain different amounts of allergenic components, most commonly egg and/or gelatin. Allergists suggest that any egg- or gelatin-allergic patient, or anyone with history of severe reaction to any influenza vaccine, be tested to the specific vaccine lot number they will be given prior to immunization. The study authors noted that it should not be assumed that if one dose of influenza vaccine has been tolerated that it will be tolerated in the future.

Also presented were findings from a study in which researchers examined IgE levels in subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES), a large cross-sectional U.S. population survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2005-2006.

The results were then compared to the Tucson Epidemiological Study (TES), which examined similar data from the 1970s. “Particularly noteworthy is the doubling of IgE levels in individuals over 55 years, and the more gradual decline in levels with increasing age," wrote the authors. They attribute possible reasons for the increase to “allergic sensitization in our population or changes in lab testing.”

Celebrating Thanksgiving when your child has food allergies

2010-11-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Survival Tips

Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States notable for overindulging on a large spread of traditionally prepared foods, many of which are laced with wheat, eggs, milk and other allergenic ingredients. A perfect holiday for many Americans includes eating a butter-basted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, traditional bread stuffing and Grandma’s pumpkin pie - followed by leaving the table stuffed, loosening one’s belt, and then falling asleep in front of a football game on the TV.

Holidays like Thanksgiving that revolve around food can truly be challenges for families raising children with food allergies. The traditional meal for your family can present numerous allergy risks -- and the risks can be even greater if you are not preparing the meal yourself but relying on someone else to cook the meal. Is there any way around the stress and pressure of a holiday known for allergen-laden foods? Or can the foods be made safe for your food-allergic kids?

News From FAAN

2010-11-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

Revised School Food Allergy Program Now Available!

We are pleased to announce that our updated School Food Allergy Program is hot off the presses. Endorsed and/or supported by the Anaphylaxis Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the National Association of School Nurses, this program is a comprehensive guide that will enable educators to implement food allergy management policies. Also available is our new Safe@School^® CD-Rom, which complements the School Food Allergy Program. This component provides resources for school nurses or administrators to conduct in-service training about food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Pricing for the program is as follows:

School Food Allergy Program (includes Comprehensive Guide and Safe@School^®), $75
Comprehensive Guide Only, $40
Safe@School^® Only, $40

Your Disney Experience

We will be honoring Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for its longtime commitment to food allergy awareness at an upcoming event. If you’ve been to a Disney park, we’d love to hear about your experience. Please videotape you and your family talking about Disney and e-mail it with the subject "Disney" by Nov. 15. Videos of 2 minutes or less are preferred.

New Content on the Web

Check out our web presence this month – we’ve posted new content to our teen andkids’ websites, in addition to the FAAN website. On our main website, you’ll find tips on managing food allergies during family gatherings on special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Deep Dish Leftover Turkey Pie, a new featured recipe, and a new FAAN member-authored essayby Melissa G. about the journey since her son’s first big reaction. Kids will want to check out the newest “Dear Alexander” advice column, and teens can read the newest essays by members of our Teen Advisory Group.

Council Volunteers Wanted

We are still accepting applications for FAAN’s new Adult Advisory Council and Post Grad Advisory Council. These committees will focus on adults with food allergies and post-graduates (ages 18-25) with food allergies, respectively. For more information about these programs or for information on how FAAN members can serve on these councils, contact Eleanor Garrow, Vice President of Education and Outreach.

Pepsi Refresh

Please remember to support FAAN – we have two ideas in the running for grants from the Pepsi Refresh Project this month.Vote to Fund a Cure for Life-Threatening Food Allergies and vote to launch Camp TAG. Please vote (for both projects) each and every day through Nov. 30!

Allergy-friendly Advent Calendar

2010-11-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

News from Blue Bear Aware

Chocolate Advent Calendars have arrived!
Behind every door on your Advent Calendar is a peanut free, nut free, egg free and dairy free chocolate! A wonderful way to count down the Holiday Season, especially if your son or daughter has never been able to have such a calendar in the past!
Avoiding Milk Blog: Chocolate Advent Calendars

Halloween Candy Buy Back

2010-11-03T17:47:00.000-07:00

A dentist in Dover, Nh is buying back candy at a $1 a pound and the candy will get sent overseas to the men and women in the military - thought this would be good for all of food allergic families who have candy that they can't do anything with ;) (Thanks Wendy!)

http://www.howarddental.com/

Change in Meeting Date

2010-11-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting will be Monday Nov. 15, 7-9 pm at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Classroom 1.
The hospital had a conflict and asked us to change the date. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Gluten-Free Candy for Halloween

2010-10-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest gluten-free lists of candies as of September 2010, plus links to manufacturers' websites. (From about.com via Jane Anderson)

Gluten-Free Candy - Gluten-Free Candy for Halloween

Peanut-free Treats (via. Allergymoms.com)

2010-10-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Keep in mind that NO candy is safe for everyone. Having said that here are some varieties that are “safe” for a variety of allergies. Remember to READ THE LABEL every time, even if it’s a candy you’ve purchased previously. Many times, Halloween versions will contain different ingredients. Be Safe: All treats, No tricks!

Divvies Chocolate Ghosts and Halloween Jelly Beans: Delicious gourmet chocolate and beautifully colored Halloween Jelly beans free of milk, egg, peanuts and tree nuts. Divvies Popcorn is the best and is perfect for classroom parties! (Did you know that some flavored jelly beans contain peanut flour?)
Smarties! Probably the best known candy free of the major food allergens. Small, fun, and free of milk, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shell fish, soy and even sesame! Smarties Mega Lollies are similar and may also work for your child.
Spangler Candy: Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops and more. Dum Dums are the perfect size, and come in a variety of flavors and are easy to find in the grocery store.
Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Chocolate Bars: The Rice milk variety is sweet and perfect for kids and these are available at Whole Foods, in the grocery store and many specialty foods stores.
Willy Wonka Candies including Fun Dip, Pixy Stix and Nerds!
Swedish Fish Easy to find and usually available in Halloween sized bags!
Gimbals Gummy Candies Very Allergy Friendly Company.
Tootsie makes several fun candies that may be safe for your child including:“Dots” , and year they have really cute “candy corn” dots! Their Wak-O-Wax lips (you know, the vampire kind) are also safe for many allergies. My kids love the Nik-L-Nip wax bottles and sticks and the Razzles (remember: “First it’s candy, then it’s gum.”)may be safe for many as well.
Vermont Nut Free Chocolates: This is delicious creamy chocolate that is nut free, of course, but also comes in dark (milk free) varieties.
Surf Sweets and Yummy Earth make beautiful, organic candy that is free of dyes and many common food allergens.

Skittles and Starburst are often safe for allergic children and are easy to find in many local grocery stores.

And if you’d prefer to skip the candy and pass out non-edible treats (you can always use the leftovers for party favors) here is a list of non-edible treats.

12 Halloween tips for parents with food allergic children

2010-10-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Tips from Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) to manage Halloween with food allergies.

12 Halloween tips for parents with food allergic children

FAAN Webcast: Food Allergies and Schools

2010-10-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

Food Allergy and Schools Webcast

FAAN’s Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations, Christopher Weiss, will be participating in a webcast entitled “Food Allergies and Schools: Keeping Students Safe and Ready to Learn,” sponsored by the National School Boards Association. This webcast, which will feature national experts, educators, parents, and students with life-threatening food allergies, will take place Nov. 9 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET. The webcast is free, but you must register to view it. We encourage you to participate in this educational webcast, and let your local school officials know about it as well.

Food Allergies and Bullies via CNN.com

2010-09-28T13:57:00.001-07:00

Food allergies make kids a target of bullies - CNN.com

Guide to Parenting a Child with Food Allergies download

2010-09-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Download this free quick guide to essential information for parenting a food-allergic child written by Michael Pistiner, M.D., M.M.Sc.

Guide to Parenting a Child with Food Allergies

Food Allergy Class at Mass General

2010-09-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Food Allergy 101:
Preparing You and Your Child
for the School Year Ahead
6 pm | September 28, 2010
Satter Conference Room, Second Floor
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care
32 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

Food Allergy 101: Preparing You and Your Child for the School Year Ahead

Anaphylaxis information on PBS

2010-09-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

The Rosenbloom family, longtime friends of FAI, and noted researcher Scott Sicherer, MD (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City) appear in an informative episode of this series, which airs on PBS stations nationwide. You don't have to wait for your local broadcast, however...you can watch the show onlineright now!

The Health and Wellness Series = Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.com

New Epipen Injector?

2010-09-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Millions of people at risk for severe allergic reactions to certain foods and bee stings rely on pen-sized syringes that contain a life-saving dose of the drug epinephrine to administer in an emergency. Read More..Brothers of invention | The News & Advance

Peer Education - FAAN

2010-09-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

FAAN provides tips on how to integrate peer education into your child's school.

Peer Education - FAAN

Article by Linda Coss

2010-09-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Raising a well-adjusted child who happens to have food allergies

Until There's a Cure Featuring Dr. Oz - PSA 20 sec.

2010-08-30T12:11:00.000-07:00

Images of a reaction

2010-08-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

The following video has images and the story of an allergic reaction.

Facebook | Videos Posted by Onespot Allergy: Food Allergy - Images Of Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis

CBC News - Canada - What teachers and parents should know about severe food allergies

2010-08-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

CBC News - Canada - What teachers and parents should know about severe food allergies

Back to School Resources

2010-08-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) has online resources including Sample 504 plans and School Health plans, School discussion guides and other tips.

Food Allergic Kids | School Resources

News From FAAN

2010-08-16T11:15:00.001-07:00

College Network

As college students head off to campus for the first time, it’s a good idea for them to check out FAAN’s College Network! This is an online searchable database that offers contact information for personnel (primarily dietitians) on campuses across the country so that individuals can learn about campus food allergy management policies. Each college in the database has a College Representative listed who can assist new students. Additionally, Student Ambassadors, who are students currently attending college, can be found in the database. These Ambassadors can offer valuable insight into managing food allergies on campus. If you know anyone interested in serving as a Student Ambassador, please let them know about this website. There is a form online that can be filled out and submitted for consideration.

* * *

Food Allergens and Medications Survey

FAAN and researchers at the University of Michigan have created a brief, anonymous online survey about food allergens and medications. We invite you to take the short survey, as we hope to present the results to theFDA, the federal agency that oversees the labeling of medications.

* * *

Teen Summit Registration

Registration for FAAN’s Fifth Annual Teen Summit is still open. Teens with food allergies, ages 11 to 20, and their siblings, ages 11 to 20, are encouraged to join us on Oct. 22-24 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD for a weekend of fun, education, and discussion. Attendees must be FAAN members. Registration ends Sept. 24. Space is limited, so sign up today!

Food Labels: Gaps on Dairy, Egg; Better on Peanut

2010-08-12T07:45:00.001-07:00

Food Allergy: Unreliable Labels

A Patch for Peanut Allergies?

2010-08-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Researchers who are working to find a way to treat food allergies have their sights on the next target – desensitization through the skin.

Read More:
Peanut Allergy: Peanut Patch

Revised Food Allergy Action Plan Online

2010-08-09T06:25:00.001-07:00

In time for the first day of school in many districts, FAAN’s Food Allergy Action Plan (FAAP) has been revised for ease of use and includes visual instructions for various epinephrine auto-injectors. Remember to have your child’s doctor complete the FAAP before school starts and make sure the school keeps a copy on file.

National Institutes of Health Expands Food Allergy Research Program

2010-08-05T06:08:00.001-07:00

FAAN is pleased to share with you some encouraging news on the food allergy research front – federal funding for studies conducted by the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) has been renewed for an additional five years.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has committed to a nearly $30 million grant for CoFAR, which was established in 2005, to enable CoFAR to continue to work on developing treatments for food allergy. CoFAR also is expanding its area of focus to include food allergy-associated eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases(EGIDs) and to study the genetic causes of food allergy.

More information is available on the NIH website.

Deadline for Comments to DOT on Airline Rules-August 9

2010-08-05T06:06:00.001-07:00

Despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently stated that it cannot use federal funding to implement or enforce a regulation concerning the distribution of peanuts on airlines, the agency is still accepting public comments regarding this issue.

FAAN is hopeful that if enough comments are submitted, DOT will investigate further by initiating a study into the risk of airborne allergic reactions to peanuts on commercial airlines. Deadline for the comments is Monday, Aug. 9.

To see the initial clarifying statement from the DOT, FAAN’s public comment, and comments from other members of the public, visit FAAN’s online Legislative Action Center. From there you can easily link to theregulations.gov website, where comments are collected.

Cute bracelet for kids that helps raise awareness

2010-06-25T07:57:00.000-07:00

Allerbling - New Food Allergy Awareness Bracelet

(From Website) Allerbling^TM is a visual educational tool and a conversation piece that has the potential to save children’s lives by raising awareness of a child’s food allergies. Allerbling^TM is cute and approachable, so kids will want to wear it. Yet it is clearly marked as a medical product for children’s caregivers. It displays the iconic symbols of the food products that are risky to the children, so their teachers and caregivers can be constantly reminded at a glance. We believe the Allerbling^TM wristband will help young children, ages three and up; as they learn to read and talk about the ingredients in the food they eat; and what is not safe for them. It is a product that reduces children’s health risk and that is no child’s play!

Should Airlines Ban Peanuts?

2010-06-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, June 2nd, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed new consumer protections for air travelers. Included in the summary are three options that would provide greater access to air transportation to persons with peanut allergies. The DOT is soliciting comments from the public on the several proposed approaches.

See more details about the proposal:

Regulations.gov

To submit a comment here by August 9. Regulations.gov

Science Friday Archives: Food Allergies

2010-06-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

Scott Sicherer, MD, Mt Sinai Food Allergy Expert, on Science Friday radio show (call-in) Fri June 11, 2 pm.

(*Dr. Sicherer is one of the doctors at Mt. Sinai who treated my son during the baked milk study.)

Science Friday Archives: Food Allergies

New Books for Kids

2010-06-10T09:27:00.000-07:00

At our last meeting Jennifer LeBovidge, Ph.D of Children's Hospital Boston came to speak with us about food allergies and anxieties. It was a great talk! One of the resources sited were these great books that help kids deal with the social challenges of living with food allergies.

The No Biggie Bunch – Children’s Books – Kids’ Food Allergies

News From FAAN

2010-06-07T06:02:00.001-07:00

Nominate FAAN to Receive $100,000!

The NBC TODAY Show and the Pepsi Refresh Project are joining together to give a nonprofit organization a $100,000 grant. Nominate FAAN for this prestigious prize by submitting a photo or video, along with an explanation of why FAAN is your favorite charity and how FAAN has made a difference and positively affected the lives of others. A photo or video no longer than 60 seconds must accompany the entry and illustrate your essay, according to the contest rules. The deadline for the “What Do You Care About TODAY” contest is Friday!

* * *

Your Input Sought Regarding Peanuts on Airlines

The Department of Transportation is currently accepting comments about how airlines can best address the needs of passengers affected by peanut allergy. Check out pages 51-54 to read more about the proposed rule, and see page 3 for instructions on how to submit a comment.

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New Website Content

We have updated our website with new content! In June, we’re featuring more travel tips, a new recipe, and a new member-penned essay in our community section. Visit our website this week to see what’s new!

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Poster Contest Deadline is Nearly Here …

Pass the word along – the deadline for the 13th Annual Food Allergy News for Kids Poster Contest is Friday! Children with food allergies between the ages of 4 and 11 are encouraged to create a poster on 8.5x11-inch paper based on the theme “Respect Every Bite.” Please make sure the child has listed his or her name, age, food allergies, mailing address, and phone number legibly on the back.

Submissions must be mailed flat (not folded) and postmarked by June 11 to the FAAN office. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in two age categories (4-7 and 8-11).

* * *

Stratham Memorial School students find fun way to learn about allergies | SeacoastOnline.com

2010-05-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Stratham Memorial School students find fun way to learn about allergies | SeacoastOnline.com

Blog Post from Cybele Pascal

2010-05-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

Cybele Pascale (author of several food allergy cookbooks) responds to the NY Times article ( The Squishy Science of Food Allergies - Room for Debate Blog - NYTimes.com) on inaccurate food allergy testing.

What’s “squishy” about this? Debunking the debunking of Food Allergies | Cybele Pascal

FAI-New Video

2010-05-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

This is a very moving video from FAI. They showed it at the leaders summit last week and there was barely a dry eye in the room. If any one is doing a training or just trying to help friend or loved ones understand the impact that life-threatening food allergies can have in your life, this video conveys a powerful message.

YouTube - faiusa's Channel

Recall-Children's Benadryl dye-free bubblegum flavor, Children's Zyrtec liquid

2010-05-01T06:50:00.000-07:00

Includes Children's Benadry dye-free bubblegum flavor and liquid
Zyrtec. Recall also includes Motrin and Tylenol ptoducts. Click on link to see the complete list.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., inconsultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), isvoluntarily recalling all lots that have not yet exp...ired of certainover-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products....

MCNEIL PRODUCT RECALL

FAAN Monthly Newsletter

2010-04-21T06:26:00.001-07:00

You asked for it!

Last summer’s membership survey informed us that people want to hear from FAAN more frequently. Specifically we learned that you are interested in hearing from FAAN once a month by e-mail. We are proud to announce a new e-mail newsletter, called the FAAN Monthly Update, and we want to make sure that you get signed up.

The FAAN Monthly Update is sent on or about the 15th of every month and informs readers about new products, program announcements, fundraising events, and information about FAAN partnerships.

We will also continue to provide the following e-newsletters that everyone has grown to know and love, including:

Special Allergy Alerts
Food Allergy News for Teens e-newsletter

If you are a member, you can also log in to FAAN’s website before navigating tohttps://www.foodallergy.org/page/email-signup?form_email and sign up for e-newsletters, which are only for members. They include:

Market Research. Sign up for this e-newsletter to receive survey requests and provide opinions about different issues that arise when managing food allergies. E-mails are sent to request your participation in surveys conducted by FAAN’s Corporate Members.
Research Updates. Sign for this e-newsletter to receive information about food allergy research that has been published in peer reviewed journals, as well as opportunities to participate in clinical trials. E-mails are sent quarterly.

Sign up for our e-newsletter lists, today. We'll keep you up to date on the topics of your choice, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (800) 929-4040 or faan@foodallergy.org.

Sincerely,

The FAAN Staff

Would you like to facilitate a food allergy cooking class?

2010-03-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Playmakers Family Enrichment Center in Rowley, MA is looking for a a parent to facilitate a food allergy cooking class. Info below:

Play Makers Family Enrichment Center opens in a few weeks in Rowley, MA, offering a variety of art, cooking and developmental play programs for children. We're offering a special cooking class designed to meet the needs of children with food allergies, to give them an opportunity to be involved in the cooking process of foods that are safe for them, as well as connect with other children who face similar dietary challenges. I would ideally like to find a parent of a child with food allergies to facilitate this class, as they can most closely relate to families attending the class and will be a great resource for myself and the families. The class runs Wednesdays from 3:30-5:00pm, so we are seeking an instructor for Wednesdays from 2:30-5:30. I'm hoping you might be able to forward this to families in your group in hopes that one of your parents might be intrested. Information regarding our center can be found at www.playmakersfamily.com and I can be contact directly at this address.

Thank you so much,

Chrissy Rupp

Play Makers

Family Enrichment Center

AAFA-Support Group Meetings for April (MA locations)

2010-03-27T09:05:00.001-07:00

Food Allergy April Programs

Blood Test Might Sort Out Milk Allergies

2010-03-09T13:47:00.000-08:00

Blood Test Might Sort Out Milk Allergies
Could spot those allergic to all milk products, those who can tolerate heated milk

Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=636362

"Family Junction" Event for Families w/ a Child with a Chronic Medical Condition

2010-03-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Family Junction Event, March 21, 2:00-5:00 pm
Attached is a link for the upcoming “Family Junction” event: a collaborative effort of Zebra Crossings, Wentworth Douglass Hospital, NH Partners In Health and Special Medical Services.

This is a free event for families who are parenting a child with a chronic medical condition, including parent workshops and youth activities.

For additional information contact, Astrid Wielens

Astrid Wielens

Executive Director

16 Back Road

Dover, NH 03820

603-749 0308

www.zebra-crossings.org

http://www.zebra-crossings.org/news/program-calendar/view/15/187

New Restaurant Review Website

2010-02-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

Look for or rate allergy-friendly restaurants:

AllergyEats is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to allergy-friendly restaurants across the United States. It is a peer-reviewed directory of restaurants - rated by people with food allergies, for people with food allergies.

Our database has over 600,000 restaurant listings across the U.S. - from large chains to small mom and pops, from gourmet to greasy spoons. We've laid the groundwork by providing you with menus - including kids', gluten-free, and allergy-specific - where available, as well as any other relevant information from restaurants.
The rest is up to you.

Check it out: Allergy Eats - Allergy Friendly Restaurants online guide

News From Spangler Candy

2010-02-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

Dear All;

Spangler Candy Company, maker of Dum Dum Pops®, Saf-T-Pops®, Marshmallow Circus Peanuts and Candy Canes, has been FREE of the TOP MAJOR ALLERGENS for many years and has developed a new Allergen-Free brochure to help consumers to better understand the products.

With food allergies and intolerances becoming more of an everyday topic and affecting an increasing number of people, Spangler wants to make sure the Allergen-Free Community is aware of the products that are available. Therefore, we have attached a pdf version of this new brochure, which can also be found athttp://www.spanglercandy.com/spangler/newspr/allergens.php.

We hope this brochure will help you and your Allergen-Free Community to feel confident and safe when eating Spangler Candy products.

If you are satisfied with Spangler candies, please help us spread the word on the availability of these allergen-free, quality products!

Thank you for your support and have a nice day!

Sincerely,

Stacy Shoup
Marketing Administrator
phone: (419) 636-4221 ext. 205
fax: (419) 636-3695
www.spanglercandy.com

Patisserie Bleu Cafe, Nashua: Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free Treats

2010-02-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

Patisserie Bleu | Allergy Free and Gluten Free Baking

Dealing with Food Allergies in College

2010-02-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

allergies / 16 - Inside Higher Ed

New Food Allergy Restaurant Review Website

2010-02-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Greetings Support Group Leaders,

To introduce myself, up until a year and a half ago, I was News Coverage Manager at CNN's Washington Bureau where beyond my daily news responsibilities I produced many stories on food allergies with chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. You can find online some of the TV transcripts and CNN.com articles I wrote on the subject, including a report on Sabrina Shannon, which won a number of journalism awards, including from FAAN.

I became interested in the subject after my daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies (at the time, allergic to all major allergens + a few).

I'm writing you as I'm in the process of launching a website where families with food allergic kids/parents can write reviews about restaurants they visit. There are fantastic online resources reviewing restaurants and hotels, (Tripadvisor, Yelp, VirtualTourist, etc.) but because I couldn’t find any that consolidated the experiences of those with food allergies, I decided to create an interactive database where we can review restaurants, hotels, airlines, and kid-friendly venues (like Disney). Wouldn’t it be great to give a shout out to a place that did a great job helping your child have a safe meal, or warn others of a place to stay away from at all cost?

The web address is www.lonelyplate.org. I'm asking friends and food allergy support group members to publish the first posts or send me (so I can post for them) reviews of businesses they've visited. This kind of information-sharing is crucial not only to keep each other safe but also can be a message to restaurants that we are a consumer community worth catering to.

Among the Washington, D.C. support group members, we have been exchanging this kind of information for years (as I know many of you do in your locales), but we never shared this information with food allergic families in other cities and countries, something I aim to accomplish.

Looking forward to hearing from you. I’d appreciate it if you could distribute this email to your group members.

Best wishes,

Sharona Schwartz

NCFD Donation!

2010-02-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

The New Castle Fire Department has donated $300.00 to the our group from their holiday charitable fund. Many thanks to volunteer firefighter Mark Syracusa and all members of the NCFD for the generous support.

Valentine's Day Party Tips

2010-02-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

Ask the teacher to request that parents do not put candy in the valentines which will be passed out to students.
Encourage parents to bring in non-food items for the party (example: stickers, heart-shaped erasers, rings, bracelets, etc.)
Bring a safe treat for your child to eat during the party.
Check all the valentines for candy/chocolates before giving them to your child. Many cards come with candy attached to them.
Instead of the party being focused on treats, suggest that the students play games with a Valentine's Day theme. (Example: Instead of 'Duck, Duck, Goose' they could play 'Heart, Heart, Cupid!' OR instead of 'Hot Potato', they could play, 'Sweet Heart' the words might go like this: Sweet Heart, Sweet Heart, round and round, where you stop, love is found. The student left holding the heart is out and the play continues passing a heart around the room.
Volunteer to help with the party so you can supervise, especially during snack time.
Teach your child to politely say, 'No thank you, I have food allergies.' to people offering candy or treats without proper labeling.
Ask the teacher and parents involved with the party planning if the class could participate in some valentine crafts (paper bouquets, heart-shaped wreaths, etc.) instead of focusing on the candy/treats.
Remember to speak to the teacher and the parents before the party about your child's food allergies...just a friendly reminder.
Send your child with ALL the proper medications in case of an emergency.

Tips for Educating Children w/ FA (from FWFA.org)

2010-01-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

Tips for Educating Children with Food Allergies

Teach your child how to read food labels properly for specific food allergens AND remind him/her to read the label EVERYTIME.
Cook and bake with your child...make it fun and educational.
Explain that many allergens are listed under different names. Review these 'other names' with your child. (example: peanuts may also be called goober nuts, ground nuts, earth nuts, etc.)
Practice with your epinephrine trainer. When it's age-appropriate, it's very important for your child to practice administering epinephrine with his/her trainer.
Keep lines of communication open with your child. It is crucial for your child to be able to talk about his/her feelings with you.
Remind your child to always 'say no' to food that is in question or that does not have a label.
Answer any questions your child may have about his/her food allergies. If you don't know the answer, ask your allergist. Stay informed and share your education with your child.
Stay positive! Having a positive outlook is extremely important when children are involved. They are entitled to have hope and happiness regardless of their medical situation.

"Have Kitchen, Will Ski" from Allergic Living

2010-01-26T08:41:00.001-08:00

Allergies, Travel: Safe Skiing

Allergy Friendly Recipe's Contest

2010-01-12T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Win Food and Fame in the First Annual “Allergy Free” Food Recipe Contest!

Do you have that fantastic recipe that your family just RAVES about? Do you think you have what it takes to beat out the competition and win with it? Allergiesandme.com wants to know.

The online store, Allergiesandme.com, is offering three lucky winners the chance to win a shopping spree in their store and, for the lucky First Place Winner, an autographed copy of Kelly Rudnicki’s “Food Allergy Mama’s Baking Book” cookbook. Ms. Rudnicki has just released this fantastic recipe compilation full of great Dairy-free, Egg-free and Nut-free treats for the whole family.

The rules are simple. Submit an allergen-free recipe with one of the top food allergy restrictions and you could win shopping coupons of up to $150! This would help stock your pantry with many of the allergen free foods and mixes offered at www.allergiesandme.com. For more about the contest rules, go to the Allergiesandme.com homepage and follow the Recipe Contest link. This contest ends February 28^th, 2010.

So, warm up your baking pans, put on your lucky apron and share your favorite winning recipe. The Team at Allergiesandme.com wishes all of you good luck and Happy “Allergy Free” Cooking.

Jamie Stern

www.AllergiesAndMe.com

813.641.7850

Research Study of a Coping Skills Group for Children with Food Allergy

2010-01-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to pass along an announcement from Children's Hospital, Boston
about research on coping skills for children with food allergies.

See description below, including contact information, if you are interested in having your child participate.

Research Study of a Coping Skills Group for Children with Food Allergy

Children's Hospital Boston is conducting a research study to investigate the usefulness of a group program for children with food allergy ages 9 to 12 years and their parents. The group is designed to help children develop coping skills to manage food allergies, as well as manage stress and anxiety that can go along with having food allergies. We hope that results of the study will help us to improve the services offered to children with food allergies and their families in the future.

If you participate in the study, you and your child will be asked to attend four 90-minute group sessions at Children's Hospital Boston. Additionally, you and your child will be asked to attend two other study visits at Children's Hospital Boston: the first within two weeks prior to the first group session, and the second about a month after the last group session. During these visits, you will be asked to complete questionnaires about your child's medical history and the impact of food allergy on your and your child's quality of life. Your child will be asked to complete questionnaires about the impact of food allergies on quality of life, attitudes about food allergies, and confidence in completing allergy management tasks. The study questionnaires will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. There is no cost to participate in the study. Participating families will receive parking vouchers and gift certificates.

This research is being conducted by Jennifer LeBovidge, Ph.D., Michael Pistiner, M.D., M.M.Sc., and Lynda Schneider, M.D. If you are interested in participating or have questions, please contact the study coordinator at (617) 355-2195.

News From FAAN

2010-01-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

Deadline This Week

Time is running out to submit a nomination for the Mariel C. Furlong Awards for Making a Difference and theGrandparent Awards! All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST Friday, Jan. 15. For the past 13 years, FAAN has honored individuals, schools, and corporations that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to raise awareness or educate others about food allergies and anaphylaxis. Categories include community service (support group and awareness), food industry, health professional, and school (including separate awards for principal, nurse, teacher, and dining services).

And for those grandparents who have done an outstanding job of supporting and advocating for their grandchild, we will once again accept nominations for the second annual Grandparent Awards. To learn more or to make a nomination, visit our website.

* * *

Food Allergy Conferences

Registration is now open for FAAN’s 17^th Annual Food Allergy Conferences, which will be held in Baltimore(March 27), Las Vegas (April 24), Tarrytown, N.Y. (May 8), and Oak Brook, Ill. (May 22). These daylong conferences will feature topics such as the psychological impact of living with food allergies, current food allergy research, managing food allergies while dining at restaurants, keeping children with food allergies safe at school, and Camp TAG, a summer camp for children who have food allergies and their siblings.

The conferences will also feature educational break-out sessions for teens, parents of teens, registered dietitians, school nurses, and caregivers such as grandparents, nannies and babysitters. To register for the conference, visit our website or call us at (800) 929-4040.

* * *

Finding Support is Quick and Simple

Among the many user-friendly features of our newly redesigned website is the easy support group look-up tool, where visitors to the website can connect with a support group near them by searching by state or city. You’ll definitely want to pass along this link to friends and family members managing food allergies, who can benefit from connecting with others who share similar experiences.

From FAAN: Food Allergy Study Update

2009-12-17T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hello Support Groups:

FAAN would like to share an important study with you located in Chicago, Illinois at Children’s Memorial Hospital Department of Allergy. Please read below. Thank you.

Children’s Memorial Hospital Food Allergy Study Update

The Children’s Memorial Food Allergy Study is gaining momentum and gearing up for a big push in 2010 to reach its goal of having 1,000 families participate in the study.

Here’s what’s new:

The Study recently received a groundbreaking new grant from the National Institute of Health to do genetic analysis that will be the first of its kind in the country.
As of November 2009, nearly 600 families have enrolled so they are still looking for another 400 families to participate in the next year.
Study visits are now being conducted at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview.
Evening appointments now available at the main hospital (as late as 5:00 pm).
Saturday appointments offered once a month.
The study is able to coordinate the blood draw with your pediatrician or allergist so there is only one poke.
Funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Chicago Community Trust, The Food AllergyInitiative and other generous donors.

The study team is seeking families from and all over the U.S. to join, not just the Chicago metropolitan area. An eligible family has at least one food allergic child under the age of 21, and both biological parents willing to participate. Participation consists of a one-time visit at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, with optional follow-up visits every one to two years. Visits last only about two hours, medical care or insurance are not affected in any way, and participation is completely voluntary. Participants receive Target gift cards, validated parking, and goody bags for the kids as well as this beautiful allergy keychain:

What is the situation?

Peanut allergy occurrence has doubled in the past 5 years.
Food allergy now affects an estimated 6-8% of children in the United States.
With the incidence of food allergies increasing so rapidly, the triggers and underlying causes of this condition need to be identified.
Diagnostic tools are unreliable.
Avoidance of food allergens is currently our only solution.
We don’t understand the who, why, or when of food allergy.

Why are 1,000 trio families needed for the study?

To do a unique genotyping analysis, the first of its kind in the country
To have sufficient statistical power to do a genetic analysis and be able to study more than a milliongenetic markers and environmental exposures that potentially affect food allergy.
To build a solid foundation on which to determine the causes, find better diagnostic and treatment methods for, and eventually maybe even find a cure for food allergy.
To research the role of genetics, the environment AND the immune system on food allergy

What can you do?

Enroll your family in the study.
Tell someone about the study. Do you know a friend, relative, neighbor or acquaintance with food allergic kids (anywhere in the country)? Share your experience!
Pass out the study’s brochures at your local health food store, allergist’s office, school, day care, support group meeting or pediatrician’s office.
Put a blurb about the study on your blog or favorite food allergy website; ask your favorite group or organization to include info about the study in their next newsletter.

So the next time you see a friend, family member, or doctor who shares your concerns about raising kids with food allergies, ask them to call 1.888.573.1833 or email allergystudy@childrensmemorial.org for more information. The study needs to reach its goal by the end of 2010! Doing something that simple can have a big impact on our understanding of the causes of food allergies in children. Let’s get the word out!

Kind Regards,

Eleanor Garrow-Majka

Vice President of Education & Outreach

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

2009-12-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

At last night's meeting we shared some favorite holiday recipes. Mine is below. It is a traditional recipe with no modifications. (It comes out great with Ener-G egg replacer.) Have a favorite recipe, send it to me and I'll post it on the blog.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

2/3 cup cooking oil

1 c sugar

1 c molasses

1 egg (or egg replacer equivalent)

3 tsp baking soda, dissolved in 1/2cup boiling water

5 ½ c flour

3 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp salt

Beat together oil & sugar. Add molasses & mix well. Add boiling water/soda. Add egg. Add dry ingredients, mix well. Chill several hours or overnight. Roll out to ¼ inch thick on floured & sugared board. Cut cookies & bake on greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes in 400 oven. Watch carefully.

This recipe is at least 150 years old. These are fat, puffy gingerbread cookies that make excellent gingerbread boys & girls. Makes oodles of cookies!

"Caution: Relatives Ahead"

2009-12-07T04:56:00.000-08:00

It can be stressful dealing with relatives who don't understand your child's food allergies. Check out this article by M. Carolyn Black from Allergic Living Magazine.
Food Allergy: Caution, Relatives Ahead

Allergy Friendly Cookies

2009-12-07T04:49:00.001-08:00

Allergic Living Magazine has ideas for allergy-friendly cookies for the holidays.

Holiday Tips - FAAN

2009-12-07T04:45:00.000-08:00

Holiday Tips - FAAN

New Gluten-Free Market in Hillsborough, NH

2009-12-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hillsborough , NH 11/24/09…White Birch Markets, LLC located in Antrim , NH announces the opening of a Gluten-Free Market in Hillsborough , NH . Located at 35 West Main Street , White Birch Gluten-Free Market will feature gluten-free dry goods as well as refrigerated and frozen convenience foods for people whose diets cannot include gluten.

White Birch Gluten-Free Market will be the only market of its kind in the region, offering an extensive selection of finer quality, exclusively gluten-free items. Owner Paula Bishop said “We’re not opening a health food store. Recent statistics show that 1 in 133 people have Celiac Disease, and if you have a first-degree relative with it, it’s more like 1 in 22, so our market is geared toward people with a gluten intolerance of varying degrees; Celiac disease, children following a gluten-free diet to help with behaviors associated with Autism, as well as folks who simply want or need to cut back on their gluten intake.”

“White Birch Gluten-Free Market will be a one-stop shopping destination for all their gluten-free needs. No more running around, dozens of new and exciting manufacturers, and delicious imported foods. Up until now, I can assure you, my customers have been living a frustrating existence trying to find a normal variety of foods to choose from. All that’s about to change.”

Opening is expected by mid-December, 2009.

Contact Information:

White Birch Gluten-Free Market

35 West Main Street

Hillsborough , NH 03244

(603) 464-2700

whitebirchmarket@tds.net

www.whitebirchmarket.com

Food Allergy Book Offer from Linda Coss

2009-12-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Food Allergy Group,

When it comes to raising a child with life-threatening food allergies, it really does "take a village" - there are many people who need to be on the food allergy management team. That's why every year I encourage people to consider giving food allergy books as gifts to relatives, friends, caregivers and anyone else who would benefit from having helpful food allergy resources on hand.

I'm running my annual holiday special: Order by December 31, 2009 and get FREE Priority Mail shipping. There's no minimum order or coupons required, and you can also save up to 26% when you order the books in sets.

Just go to Food Allergy Books | Food Allergy Cookbooks | Linda Coss to place your order.

As always, those who would like their books personally autographed or would like me to include a gift card just need to ask (by leaving me a note in the "special instructions" section of the order form).

Thank you in advance for helping me spread the word.

Best wishes,

Linda Coss
Plumtree Press
949-699-2749
Books to Help Your Family Live with Food Allergies
www.FoodAllergyBooks.com

FAAMA Update

2009-11-21T11:27:00.000-08:00

Both New Hampshire state senators and Representative Carol Shea-Porter are now co-sponsors of
FAAMA. In fact, since the kids congress, 23 House representatives and 7 senators have signed on to co-sponsor the bill!

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Management Act - FAAN

Resource for Eating Out with Food Allergies

2009-11-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here is another site to help search for food allergy friendly restaurants, even some in NH. As always, remember to evaluate all information for your individual food allergy requirements.

Freedom to Dine

Food Allergy Clothing For Kids

2009-11-13T07:19:00.000-08:00

This company offers a cute design to dissuade food sharing for young children.
Alert Clothing Company Home

Jelly Belly Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanuts in 7.5oz cylinder-style packages of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly

2009-11-07T07:45:00.001-08:00

Contact: Jelly Belly (800) 522-3267

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –Fairfield, Calif. – November 4, 2009 --- Jelly Belly Candy Company is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinder-style packages of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans because the package is incorrectly labeled. The mislabeled packages failed to list peanut butter and peanut flour in the ingredient statement. People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients.

The Jelly Belly 49 Flavors cylinder packages were shipped to approximately 200 independent stores nationwide from September 29 to October 30, 2009. Product was packaged in a clear 7.5-ounce acetate cylinder with white label on the bottom of the package with lot codes090925, 090928, 090929 or 091001. UPC code 071567989398

The recall was initiated after the company’s quality control efforts identified the incorrect ingredient statement. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other candies or packaged candies from Jelly Belly are a part of this recall, and there is no health risk for consumers who are not allergic to peanuts.

Consumers who have a peanut allergy and purchased this product in the last five weeks are urged to return it to Jelly Belly Candy Company,One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, Calif., 94533. Consumers and retailers with questions about the recall should call the Jelly Belly Hotline at 800-522-3267 Monday-Friday 7 am to 5 pm PST

Stratham's Andrea Schmidt is a true ambassador | SeacoastOnline.com

2009-10-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Stratham's Andrea Schmidt is a true ambassador | SeacoastOnline.com