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Post by melanell on Nov 23, 2016 1:10:00 GMT
I typically bring treats to share to one holiday gathering each year. This year, however, there will be a family member present who typically does not make it in for Christmas and who has nut allergies. Now, I can certainly opt not to bring anything, but I would happy to bring something if I can be sure it's safe. Unfortunately, this person has had rash related flare-ups each time she has visited the last few years. That leads her to believe that she's coming into contact with something that has some sort of trace amounts of nuts in it, because she does have skin reactions to contact with nut products. So, I'm won't make anything with nuts--that's a given. But what about other ingredients? So many labels seem to have the basic "possible cross-contamination" line on them. I'm not sure what to do about that or if there are known companies that I can look for to purchase baking staples. Or is it better to buy something? Our school used to allow us to bring Krispy Kreme donuts as a nut-free item, but now KK's statment is that they won't guarantee that anything is nut-free at all. So our school axed them from the building, and I don't know if they are okay or not. I don't want to just ask, because I know I'll just get "Oh, don't worry about me."  |
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Post by Linda on Nov 23, 2016 1:14:43 GMT
I think it's probably better to buy something and have the label there for her to check. Personally, I would be very cautious about eating someone's home-baked goodies just because you don't know for sure how careful they were and whether there was cross-contamination in the kitchen etc...
I do think it's very sweet of you to include her
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Nov 23, 2016 1:17:50 GMT
(because I can't resist...) Aren't all Peas a little nutty?  |
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Post by melanell on Nov 23, 2016 1:27:54 GMT
I think it's probably better to buy something and have the label there for her to check. Personally, I would be very cautious about eating someone's home-baked goodies just because you don't know for sure how careful they were and whether there was cross-contamination in the kitchen etc... I do think it's very sweet of you to include her Good point! Save |
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Post by gale w on Nov 23, 2016 1:32:16 GMT
Prepackaged is the way to go. Cross contamination is a big risk and even some ingredients may not be safe. If cupcakes will work, Maplehurst makes some that are labeled peanut free facility and I know for sure that the facility is tree nut free as well (not sure about coconut) . Walmart has "The Bakery" brand mini cupcakes (and possibly full size ones) that are made by Maplehurst. Just look for the manufacturer code 469042 next to the upc code. If hostess works, look for the code 24000 on the box. It is near the date code. That facility is nut free (again, not sure about coconut) .
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Post by Marina on Nov 23, 2016 1:35:16 GMT
I make sugar cookies and gingersnaps. Both are nut free. We avoid treats made on the same machinery but others I know will also avoid made in the same factory. Pie is also great! Just no almond extract.
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Post by melanell on Nov 23, 2016 1:35:46 GMT
Prepackaged is the way to go. Cross contamination is a big risk and even some ingredients may not be safe. If cupcakes will work, Maplehurst makes some that are labeled peanut free facility and I know for sure that the facility is tree nut free as well (not sure about coconut) . Walmart has "The Bakery" brand mini cupcakes (and possibly full size ones) that are made by Maplehurst. Just look for the manufacturer code 469042 next to the upc code. If hostess works, look for the code 24000 on the box. It is near the date code. That facility is nut free (again, not sure about coconut) . Thank you! This actually reminds me that I have seen prepackaged baked goods at Wegmans that are marked all over the package that they are nut free, safe for school, etc. Save |
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teddyw
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Post by teddyw on Nov 23, 2016 2:55:08 GMT
Depending which nuts she's allergic to - watch for nutmeg. It's a tree nut most don't think about.
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Post by Marina on Nov 23, 2016 3:00:55 GMT
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LeaP
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Post by LeaP on Nov 23, 2016 3:09:08 GMT
I would make something nut free for the other guests and get her Lofthouse cookies. I was reading the holiday package and it said it was made in a nut-free environment. Also, in the week or two leading up to her visit, I would not eat or cook with nuts. When she visits, give her plates and linens that are straight out of the washer. My kids have had various nut allergic friends and this is what I did. I'm naturally sloppy so I had to work extra hard to avoid cross contamination. Fortunately, it worked!
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Post by gale w on Nov 23, 2016 5:10:43 GMT
correct. Nutmeg is safe for people with tree nut allergies (but someone could be allergic to nutmeg, which would be a whole separate allergy). I buy whole nutmeg and grate it when I need it. |
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Post by gale w on Nov 23, 2016 5:12:06 GMT
I would make something nut free for the other guests and get her Lofthouse cookies. I was reading the holiday package and it said it was made in a nut-free environment. Also, in the week or two leading up to her visit, I would not eat or cook with nuts. When she visits, give her plates and linens that are straight out of the washer. My kids have had various nut allergic friends and this is what I did. I'm naturally sloppy so I had to work extra hard to avoid cross contamination. Fortunately, it worked! I forgot about lofthouse cookies. All of the stores in our area have a pretty decent selection of the nut free facility ones. |
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Post by myshelly on Nov 23, 2016 5:42:24 GMT
We are a nut free household.
My kids would not be able to eat anything that is not prepackaged so that I can check the label.
Anything homemade is out because I wouldn't be able to check all the labels of all the ingredients and I would worry about cross contamination in your house.
(Have you ever baked nut products in the same mixing bowls, pans, spoons, measuring cups, etc.? That's cross contamination right there.)
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Post by Basket1lady on Nov 23, 2016 6:34:31 GMT
We are a nut free household. My kids would not be able to eat anything that is not prepackaged so that I can check the label. Anything homemade is out because I wouldn't be able to check all the labels of all the ingredients and I would worry about cross contamination in your house. (Have you ever baked nut products in the same mixing bowls, pans, spoons, measuring cups, etc.? That's cross contamination right there.) But if it all goes through the dishwasher on heated dry, isn't that ok? DD had a friend in elementary school who had a severe nut allergy to both peanuts and tree nuts. She would react even just by breathing in nut items. Once, a child ate a Recees's peanut butter cup across the room and just the smell of it sent her to the ER. When she would come me over to play, I would Lysol the kitchen down and run any dishes she was going to use through the dishwasher. If it was a birthday party, I would run all the mixing bowls, beaters, measuring cups, etc through the dishwasher before making the cake. Thankfully she never had a reaction at my house although she always had her meds along. We took nut allergies pretty seriously. DS had a classmate die from eating contaminated food while on vacation. It was truly horrible. |
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teddyw
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Post by teddyw on Nov 23, 2016 10:36:45 GMT
Thanks for that link. Our allergist has always classified it that way-obviously incorrectly. My mil always insists on cooking things for us when we visit. She says she reads all the packages but my dh has fished some out of the trash & found dd's allergies listed right on them. |
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Post by melanell on Nov 23, 2016 13:15:17 GMT
Thanks everyone. You have all helped me to realize that I am definitely not comfortable making anything that she will eat, so I'll definitely be buying something. Thanks for all of your suggestions. |
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Post by scrapqueen01 on Nov 23, 2016 13:32:01 GMT
Does your family like pecan pie? There is a recipe where you substitute oatmeal for the pecans. I can't eat nuts so this is one of my favourites.
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Post by gale w on Nov 23, 2016 14:19:42 GMT
Does your family like pecan pie? There is a recipe where you substitute oatmeal for the pecans. I can't eat nuts so this is one of my favourites. Last year or the year before I made one that used crushed up pretzels. |
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Post by myshelly on Nov 23, 2016 15:51:08 GMT
We are a nut free household. My kids would not be able to eat anything that is not prepackaged so that I can check the label. Anything homemade is out because I wouldn't be able to check all the labels of all the ingredients and I would worry about cross contamination in your house. (Have you ever baked nut products in the same mixing bowls, pans, spoons, measuring cups, etc.? That's cross contamination right there.) But if it all goes through the dishwasher on heated dry, isn't that ok? DD had a friend in elementary school who had a severe nut allergy to both peanuts and tree nuts. She would react even just by breathing in nut items. Once, a child ate a Recees's peanut butter cup across the room and just the smell of it sent her to the ER. When she would come me over to play, I would Lysol the kitchen down and run any dishes she was going to use through the dishwasher. If it was a birthday party, I would run all the mixing bowls, beaters, measuring cups, etc through the dishwasher before making the cake. Thankfully she never had a reaction at my house although she always had her meds along. We took nut allergies pretty seriously. DS had a classmate die from eating contaminated food while on vacation. It was truly horrible. Re the dishwasher Usually yes, sometimes no. The problem is in baking there are often things people do not send through the dishwasher. Parts of their kitchen aid mixer. Baking sheets. Cup cake tins. Or let's say last time they cooked with nuts or PB they had out their flour and sugar. They used the same measuring spoons for the nuts as the flour and sugar. Their package of flour and sugar is now cross contaminated even if that brand is usually safe. |
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Post by theroadlesstraveledp on Nov 24, 2016 4:47:10 GMT
I would just buy something prepackaged like other suggested by a nut-free facility. I think I would ask her what she prefers in this case. That way she can enjoy something that she likes.
SO has a peanut allergy, so he has to be careful around the holidays when all of the delicious cookies come out. My aunt has a nut allergy but it isn't to peanuts. I think it is walnuts. So she usually has stuff around that is nut free.
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