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 February 5, 2009
Food Allergens in Medications and Vaccines
Do you read the packaging for over-the-counter medications and package inserts for prescription medications and vaccines?  If not, you may learn the hard way that medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and vaccines can contain food allergens as inactive ingredients. This is another one of those tricky lessons to learn when you're managing food allergies.
In an effort to help you, KFA has developed resources that show the inactive ingredients for asthma and allergy inhalers and vaccines on the market in the U.S. We also have a new article with additional information that reviews vaccine safety for food allergic children.
I encourage you to become a KFA Family Member so you can take full advantage of all of these great resources.
As always, we encourage you to discuss this information and any questions you have regarding the safety of vaccinations or medications with your child's allergist.
Kind regards,
Lynda Mitchell and the KFA Team
Allergens in Vaccines and Inhalers for Asthma or Allergy
Special Features for our KFA Family Members: Family members will need to log in to access these three resources. Associate Members can upgrade their membership to a Family Membership in order to access these articles.
Ingredient Differences in Generic and Brand Name Medications
 A generic drug is one that is chemically identical to its brand name equivalent. A generic drug does not necessarily contain the same inactive ingredients as its brand name drug equivalent, which can pose a risk to food allergic children.
Now available to the public: This article was originally published in 2007 for KFA Family Members but has been updated and is now available to all Web site visitors.
NEW! Food Allergies: Reducing the Risks
In this article, the Food and Drug Administration offers basic information about food allergies, explains FALCPA and cross contamination of foods and more. This resource is available in print format to make it convenient to share with support groups, schools, friends, family, or to use for general community awareness and education. 
Three More 'Gluten-Free' Products Removed from Stores
A supermarket chain has pulled three "gluten-free" products that were highlighted in a Chicago Tribune investigation last month—but not before another consumer reported an illness. In December, the Tribune reported that their testing showed these products, advertised as "gluten-free," actually contained the substance.
A video documents the investigation and shows how the foods were tested for allergens:
Near Fatal Allergic Reaction Caused by Starbucks Dessert
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating Starbucks' labeling practices after a young woman ate a parfait from a British Columbia outlet and almost died.
Sign up for a free Associate Membership to read the messages posted in our "Main" online support group forum. Better yet, become a Family Member and join the discussion!
How do you handle the stress?
"Usually I can handle the stress of day-to-day life, but once in a while (like now) I go the through a period of overwhelming worry and, I guess, self-pity. Does this happen to everyone? What do you do to get through times like this?"
Share your anaphylaxis stories
"It might be a good thing for us to share our real-life experiences. That way we can understand the different ways that anaphylaxis presents itself and maybe learn to recognize it more quickly with our own kids."
Reading and sharing experiences about our children's anaphylactic reactions can be insightful and validating.
A Message from our Sponsor
Want to serve treats that taste great, are allergy friendly, and are wholesome too? Started by the mom of a child with food allergies, HomeFree bakes cookies and coffeecakes in their own dedicated bakery free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and dairy (and most people with wheat and soy allergies can enjoy the treats too). And all are certified whole grain, kosher pareve, and organic! You can find HomeFree's allergen free baking cookbook, allergen tested baking ingredients, and award-winning baked treats at www.homefreetreats.com. HomeFree cookies are increasingly available at stores including Shaw's (Wild Harvest section) and many Whole Foods Markets.
Be sure to visit the Allergy Buyer's Guide section of our Web site to see a growing list of businesses that provide allergy-friendly products and services!
Advertisements
NEW! Click on the banner to visit the FAB Snacks Web site.
NEW! "What's to Eat?" and "What Else is to Eat?" Food Allergy Cookbooks
Get Linda Coss' popular food allergy cookbooks for a huge selection of delicious dairy-, egg-, and nut-free recipes (over 260 altogether!) that your entire family will love. Use coupon code KWFA0209 by 3/10/09 to receive FREE Priority Mail shipping.
NEW! Chocolate Emporium
Celebrate Valentine's Day or any special occasion with Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Nut-Free confections from the Chocolate Emporium. We have been creating and shipping our specialty gourmet truffles, fancy chocolates, hand foiled mini hearts and suckers throughout the U.S. for over ten years to customers with food allergies. Kosher supervision Star-K Pareve. Visit our website at
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icing
An allergen and gluten-free baking company serving the Celiac community and those with special dietary needs. We offer made-to-order fresh baked products shipped in 48 hours or less. Get 10% off with mention of this ad. www.allergenfreebakingcompany.com
Heirloom Kids
Celebrate childhood with a fabulous BOOK INVITATION for your next event. By telling your child's truly unique story, celebrate her life, birth, christening, graduation, Sweet 16, or any honorable moment. Heirloom is a green company and uses all recycled materials to create award-winning designs. www.heirloom-occasions.com
Enjoy Life Foods® dairy, nut & soy FREE chocolate bars!
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Vermont Nut Free
There is still time to order your Valentine's Day chocolates! We are offering decorative Valentine's gift packages of gourmet nut- and peanut- free chocolates all made in small batches from the finest ingredients. Delectable truffles, fruit creams, caramels, fudge and more. With all these fine products...who needs nuts? 888-468-8373
www.vermontnutfree.com
The following foods were recently recalled. Check our Web site for complete details:
U.S. allergy recalls
- House of Flavors Ice Cream Company: Hannaford Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (undeclared walnuts)
Canadian allergy recalls
- Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel, Inc: Summersweet Lobster & Shrimp Dip (undeclared milk)
Disclaimer
This newsletter is provided to you as a member and subscriber benefit and your use of it is in accordance with our Web site's terms of service.
Recipes are shared for your personal use only. You are welcome to forward this e-newsletter to others, but please don't reprint, electronically reproduce, repost or redistribute recipes elsewhere without obtaining permission. For more information, see our terms of service.
Kids With Food Allergies Inc. makes no representation, whatsoever, for the contents that may be contained in any of the sponsors or advertisers in this newsletter or the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any advertisement.
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Copyright © 2009, Kids With Food Allergies, Inc., all rights reserved.
ISSN 1939-8166
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Project Manager: Lynda Mitchell
Editor: Melanie Carver
Proofreaders: Tanya Bumgardner, Melanie Croft and Jen Blanford
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