There is a classroom birthday party and you're worried. Should your child bring their own cupcake or are you over reacting? Is it really possible there might be peanut protein in that birthday cake?
Peanut protein can show up in the most unexpected places. There is no way to know what one persons cleaning style is like or if the mom frosted the cupcakes while making peanut butter sandwiches. Bakery cakes are not much better unless they come from a true peanut free bakery.
The only way to be sure is to bring your own food.
If you are not handy in the kitchen or don't have time to bake from scratch, there are now several options. You can purchase a cake or cupcakes from a dedicated peanut free bakery OR you can purchase one of the many peanut free mixes that are availabe online or on grocery store shelves.
A&J Bakery
A&J Bakery makes cakes to order in a 100% nut free bakery. They also ship nationwide!
Cherrybrook Kitchen
In addition to cookies and cookie mixes, Cherrybrook Kitchen makes a great peanut free cake mix that is easy to whip up. Their products are free from peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and egg.
Divvies
Divvies doesn't just sell cookies, but cupcakes as well. You can order them online and know that they are free from peanut, tree nuts, dairy and egg because they are made in a dedicated facility.
There are several other brands of great tasting cake mixes and other products that are available for those with peanut or other allergies. Visit www.bestallergysites.com to search our directory of allergen friendly food manufacturers.
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Ruth LovettSmith
Founder of http://www.bestallergysites.com/
Your Food Allergy and Gluten Free Guide, and the largest Internet directory of allergy related companies, sites, and blogs.
Disclaimer: I'm a food allergy advocate and mom of a food allergic child. I am NOT an allergist. My comments are based on my research and experiences. Please speak to your doctor regarding medical concerns.
My daughter's school doesn't
My daughter's school doesn't allow any food that is "homemade". Everything brought in for parties has to be store bought. As you mentioned, that doesn't necessarily help when a mom brings in a store bought birthday cake to share. However, I always try to be part of the food sign-ups for class holiday parties so that I can specify brands.
I've found a bakery that supplies Lowe's Foods (in NC) with frosted cupcakes that are safe. Freed's Bakery (http://www.freedsbakery.org/index.htm) out of NH is nut-free. Lowe's always carries their cupcakes at holidays which are perfect for those Christmas, Valentines, Easter parties at school. My daughter's teacher puts any leftover cupcakes in the freezer so that my daughter also has a treat when a mom brings in a grocery store birthday cake for the class.
It might be interesting to contact them to see what other states/stores they supply.
Mom with a Mission
www.peanutclinicaltrial.blogspot.com