My 13-month-old DS was just diagnosed with peanut allergy. We were told to be very strict about avoiding peanuts and peanut products.
Obviously, I need to do a lot of reading and learn what to avoid ... but in the meantime, can anyone here tell me if Ritz crackers and Cheerios (the plain kind) are safe? So far we haven't had problems, but I don't want to keep feeding them to him if they could cause a reaction ...
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We've had no trouble with Ritz crackers. I believe they are safe, but if you're unsure, you can call the manufacturer (believe me, you'll get used to doing this [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] ) and ask some questions. I'm pretty sure the Cheerios are okay, too, but my PA son hasn't tried them lately.
Some ideas: you can start by asking the manufacturer if there are any nuts, nut products or nut oils in the crackers. You can also ask if there are any nuts in the factory that makes the crackers, and the biggie, if the equipment (the manufacturing "line", in the manufacturer's lingo) is "shared" with any products containing nuts. Also ask if there's any potential at all for cross contaimination. Then once you have a feel for the answers, decide on your comfort level, and try the crackers if you want.
As I wrote earlier, we've never had any trouble with regular, full size Ritz, but you must avoid the Ritz Bits crackers, even the cheese variety.
I've found that talking with the manufacturer is helpful in ruling out a product, but my son has occasionally reacted to products which *should* be safe according to what the manufacturer told me.
In my situation, though, I can never be absolutely certain that my son did in fact have a reaction (so far, he's only reacted with an itchy tongue, so sometimes I'm unsure if he's having an allergic reaction or just uncomfortable with the texture of a food), so we have to avoid several products that might actually be okay allergy-wise.
Fow what it's worth,
Debbie
I spoke to General Mills a few days ago and was told that they will note on all their products if the there is any chance of cross contamination. We have eaten General Mills Cheerios for years w/o a problem.
I spoke to Nabisco a few days ago too. They do not label indication of nuts/peanuts unless it is an intentional part of the ingredients. However, they said that the REGULAR SIZE Ritz crackers are made on a dedicated line.
When I called Nabisco, they told me that if there was a chance of cross contamination, that product would be listed in the ingredient statement. I've sent all Nabisco products to pre-school for my son to have at snack time - vanilla wafers, Ritz crackers, saltines.
I just phone Nabisco regarding the Mini Ritz Crakers, they said that all Ritz crackers that are NOT Sandwich varity (ie:cheese, peanut butter), are made on dedicated lines. They are considered safe. But always ck labels for ingrediants change. Any thoughts?
I only purchase Ritz crackers from Nabisco. There was a post at one time stating that Ritz crackers were safe. Someone from peanutallergy.com had contacted them. However, I have contacted Nabisco four times and received different answers each time. I
I am a member of AFAA , Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association, in Minnesota. At a meeting last month we were told that Ritz crackers were no longer safe as they were now run on shared lines with some peanut product. Now I am at a loss as to what type of crackers to buy. I am not an accomplished baker yet and really loved buying processed foods for the taste as well as the convenience.
If this is true (that the crackers are no longer safe) why aren't they labeling? I thought they labeled if there was a chance of cross contact?
I hope it isn't true, I will be so bummed. Guess I am making a phone call soon.
Check out Kashi TLC (Tasty Little Crackers) [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Yum, and much better for you, too (no trans fats, etc.)
[url="http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum11/HTML/001282.html"]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum11/HTML/001282.html[/url]
Hi NutterNoMore, I thought the Kashi TLC would be interesting to try but am also avoiding sesame seeds, and all other seeds per our allergist's instructions. It's my dream to make a Ritz type cracker myself and market it to the PA community. Then with the proceeds I would buy some time on the Goodyear blimp with a message to Nabisco that the ad was paid for by revenue they lost by just not caring about their consumers' well being. Sorry, but I had to vent since Nabisco is such a large company and so very cavalier about food allergies!
Edinview,
I wish you luck in your quest!
I hope we can count on your support in contacting your members of Congress to support the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). Once we get this law passed, these companies [i] will have to pay more attention to these concerns[/i]!
I've already seen some literature within some food industry groups suggesting that manufacturers will really need to re-assess their manufacturing processes and consider previous decisions re:dedicated lines. I believe this is because FALCPA will ultimately restrict the usage of "may contains" labeling (once the study mandated by the law has been complete re:current usage).
(OK, off my soapbox for the moment) [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
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