Food Labelling can be deceiving
For those that haven’t seen this yet there are many scientific names for common food allergens.
I have to carry a list with me in my wallet so that I can remember them when I check labels for my kids that have anaphylaxis.
Don’t get caught out, and make sure you check for these ingredients regardless of if your country has labelling laws in place.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Before the new law, food labels could read like a chemistry book. Check out a few names that indicate the presence of milk, eggs, soy, wheat or peanuts in a product.
Milk
Lactoferrin; Lactalbumin; Lactalbumin phosphate; Nisin; Rennet casein; Whey; Ghee
May indicate the presence of milk protein
Luncheon meat, hot dogs, sausages; Non-dairy products; Caramel candies; High protein flour; Lactose; Flavorings (including natural and artificial)
Eggs
Albumin (also spelled albumen); Lysozyme; Meringue
May indicate the presence of egg protein
Lecithin; Marzipan; Marshmallows; Nougat; Surimi; Flavorings (including natural and artificial)
Wheat
Kamut (relative of wheat); Durum; Farina; Spelt; Vital gluten; Seitan; Bulgur; Semolina
May indicate the presence of wheat protein
Hydrolyzed protein; Starch (gelatinized starch, vegetable starch, modified starch); Surimi; Soy sauce; Flavorings (including natural and artificial)
Soy
Edamame; Miso; Natto; Shoyu sauce; Tamari; Tempeh
May indicate the presence of soy protein
Vegetable broth; Vegetable starch; Vegetable gum; Flavorings (including natural and artificial)
Peanuts
May indicate the presence of peanut protein
Chili; Egg rolls; Enchilada sauce; Marzipan; Nougat; Flavorings (including natural and artificial)
SOURCE: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Aaron
I’ve used allergy labels from this aussie website, and they’ve worked really well. So far..touch wood..my son hasn’t had any dairy products given to him mainly due to the No Dairy icons on all his labels. We got the School Kit Value pack with all the labels having the icon on it and he loves them.
Check the site out at http://www.brightstarkids.com.au hope this helps you.
Hi Nicola
Yes Melanie has had labels done for both of our kids, they weren’t through brightstarkids but through somewhere else, I can’t think of the name.
This was a few years ago now, but Melanie came up with the allergy friendly designs, submitted them for print, we got our lables as designed and the kids do love them. Funny thing was that on the next catalogue from them, her designs were now part of their normal label range, specifically targeted to allergic customers.
Thanks for the link
Aaron