you never know who you might be helping...

What a treat is must have been for them to buy something at a bake sale! I wish more people would do the same. I think it is a great idea to label like you did. You never know who is around who may have PA.

Great job, this really made me smile to know that you were able to connect with another PA family in this way. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I think it is a terrific idea to label and feel that maybe others will label at bake sales, it would be nice to see ALL labels show up, "nut free", "Contains nuts", "made with nuts", "egg free", and all other allergens!!

I never thought we would ever participate in a bake sale, now this gives us hope, thanks again for sharing your experience! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Nice story Miriam!

My dh's Godmother passed away a month ago and he took his Mom and sister and drove 3 hours to the funeral. Well, I didn't go because I had to take care of our kids so I baked some treats for him to bring to the families home after. I wrote on the foil(no peanuts/nuts)on every baked good I made as well, just in case.

You just never know who you may be helping plus, it brings awareness to food allergies in general [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

I'm so glad to know that you all enjoyed reading about this experience. I had thought that it was perhaps too minor too warrant its own thread. But with several responses already, I'm glad I posted. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Miriam

Miriam- Sounds like a great experience...and a great idea to label foods re. ingredients. I wouldn't trust anything someone else has baked, though. Have you heard the story of Dr. Wood's (Hopkins allergist who is allergic to peanuts) last reaction to peanut? Another allergist gave him a homemade cookie and guaranteed it was safe. Dr. Wood ate it and had a severe anaphylactic reaction. Apparently there was cross contamination during preparation. IMHO, you can never be too careful.

Yes, I am familiar with Dr. Wood's infamous reaction to the cookies. I think that my friend felt safe buying my bread because she knows me and knows that I do not allow any nuts in my home at all. "No nuts" does not mean allergy safe, but it is a step towards awareness, hopefully. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Miriam

I always include the recipe on a 3x5 card. I also do this when I bring food for a pot-luck or similar gathering. That way the diners know all the ingredients, not just "no nuts," and they are wondering about eggs?

Yes, Tucker's mom, great idea. I actually thought about it because that is what we are required to do at my son's preschool. (Not the recipe but the ingredients.) I was concerned it may come across as "over the top" and I also was lazy and didn't want to look up the recipe again! Next time I will try that, though. I agree that it's a more complete way to handle the situation.

I've never put nuts in things for bake sales because I had read about nut allergies and I knew they were dangerous. Years ago, before my son was even born, I used to write "no nuts" on all my bake sale stuff hoping someone with an allergy could buy it (I didn't know then that most people with allergies still wouldn't trust it).

Anyway, it's so ironic to me that I was always very conscious of nut allergies and my own son ended up allergic to peanuts. What are the chances?

I still always write "no nuts" even though I realize there's not much chance anyone with an allergy would risk purchasing something cooked by a stranger. Maybe someone will at least see it and think about it.

But I always wonder why I was so aware of nut allergies and other people seem so clueless.

Our family fun night with a bake sale is coming up next week. I volunteered to send cookies and was contacted to see if I could send "hmmm.... maybe a banana NUT loaf or something else" . This, after the bake sale committee asked people to send nut-free baked goods!
So, instead ( after finding out they had more than enough baked goods, anyway) I volunteered to help price items during the morning - and once again - we'll stay away from the bake sale that evening!

In the past, I've labelled my baking with a "no nuts" sticker, too. Hopefully with more and more "No Nuts" cards/stickers showing up on bake sale tables - people will at least think about it. It can't hurt!
Good to hear about your experience, Miriam.
mae [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Well than after reading this I guess next time I will go a step further and write,
"Made in a Peanut/nut-free home because of my food allergic child"

If I saw that I would have a talk with the person selling it and ask some questions and probably would buy it!

p.s....especially if the person belonged to pa.com [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

I think your last statement is key. Everytime I speak to someone who has a nut allergy or knows someone with an allergy I am always amazed at how relaxed they are about it and how many risks they take that I would never allow my son to take.. It makes it more difficult for him because when he sees another child with a supposed PA eating something that I won't let him have. He feels even worse about his allergy. I only see the vigilance that I have here at Peanutallergy.com Just when I think I am alone, I just log on and know I am doing the right thing by my child! Anyone starting to have problems with there PA child regarding the "being Different" issue and embarrassment of the allergy? My son is 7 and he is so sensitive about it. He goes to any extent not to have to look different.

Yes, my almost 8 year old is very conscious of not wanting to appear different. I know she would never eat something she shouldn't because of it; but she sometimes just tells people she "doesn't want" something that's unsafe, rather than she can't have it because she's allergic to it. I'm just glad she's not balking at wearing her medic-alert bracelet. I guess I should say a little prayer each morning that she will take good care of herself. Fortunately she seems to be doing a great job now, for her age. Miriam