cold cuts and picnic food

We eat Utz brand potato chips. They go into quite a bit of detail about the use of peanut oil at their plant. I understand that Frito Lay is also safe.

Not sure about packaged cold cuts. We eat them with no problem. I understand they are supposed to be safer than what is available at the deli counter. Interested to hear other info on this question.

Good questions!

Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com

Hi Mkate,

We eat Ruffles, Pringles and Sun Chips. All of these come in mini lunch size bags which are nice. Most chips I have found are labeled well for allergens including "May Contains" statements.

We eat a variety of lunch meets both pre-packaged and from the Deli counter. I have heard that about cross-contamination, but we have asked the deli and have not had a problem.

I think you will find most breads to be labeled well.I am not sure if you are familiar with a law that passed here in "06" Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). It states that Manufacturers need to clearly mark the top 8 allergens. This has made things easier. It has a few "kinks", so you still need to read labels, but I think you will find many products that are marked clearly for allergens.

I would stay away from chocolates in the U.S. as we do not have the dedicated nut free facilities that Canada and other countries may have.

www.peanutfreeplanet.com sells a variety of safe individually packaged snack foods which are great for travel and lunches.

Good suggestions!

There are SOO many other companies besides peanutfreeplanet.com for portable safe snacks! They're great but so are the others! Don't forget:

www.allergyfreeshop.com
www.allerneeds.com
www.fabsnacks.com
www.freefrommarket.com
www.navanfoods.com
www.peanutfreeplanet.com
www.solutionstosavor.com

If we don't support these companies, they won't be there for too long.

Jennifer B
www.foodallergybuzz.com

Thanks! This helps.

We use Utz chips, too- they, like lots of things, might be a regional product. I live in the northeast, what part of the country are you visiting?
Martin's potato breads and rolls are safe for peanut, tree-nut, and egg allergic people. They are made in a dedicated facility.
Watch out for deli meats and cheeses- lately the delis have been where they make fresh peanut butter- and some deli meat does still have pistachios in them! I have switched to Hillshire Farm turkey and ham- prepackaged and travel well in the cooler.
Luigi's italian ice in the cups are safe- I see these as an ice cream alternative at zoos, street vendors, etc. - the squeeze tube Luigi's are not safe.

I'm in upstate NY. I haven't seen Utz chips though. But we did have some Sun Chips and the kids loved them. Haven't seen Martin's potato breads either, though so far we have used Country Kitchen (I asked them and they said they didn't use nuts in their facilities.)