Reading food labels while grocery shopping is just part of having a child with a peanut allergy. In the last two and a half years I've learned there a million things that I eat that have ingredients that I can't even pronounce!! Who knew I could crave things that contain ingredients with fifteen syllables?
If you are anything like me, I have found several snacks and other foods that Tyler can eat and I don't deviate a whole lot from them. They spell s-a-f-e-t-y to me. But, I have learned to read the label every time I buy something. Even if I've bought it a zillion times before. Why? Because things change.
What they process at a certain facility can change or even where they process can be different. Even the exact same food bought in the exact same location can vary. One may have a "may contain," label while the other one is completely safe.
Food companies are like people: UNPREDICTABLE.
I was reminded of this twice a couple of weeks ago. Since we are a one income family, we eat a lot of generics. (Yes, they really are as good as the name brand in most cases!) Since Tyler's diagnosis in early 2006, the generic Raisin Bran cereal I buy has been safe. Until last month.
I am in the habit of reading everything, every time (drives my family a little crazy!). When I picked it up, there was the giant "Processed in a facility..." Had I let my guard down since we have eaten that cereal for over two years, I would not have known. So now Post is happy that they have a new customer with our family!
The same week, Tyler was eating pretzels at church. They were also generic. I had approved these for our nursery in the past but my Mommy instincts had me pick up that bag and read. There it was: "Made in a facility that also makes peanut butter..." Ugh!! He had eaten these but thankfully had no reaction. This has led to new procedures in our church nursery where I must approve food EVERY SINGLE TIME something new enters. A little annoying but I can't take any chances on this happening again!!
As a rule, I read the label at the store and then read it again before I give it Tyler. This is a way to double check myself. It's become so second nature, I don't even think about it now.
Reading that label EVERY TIME (even twice) is crucial.
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1 comments:
Yes, you are right, and it cannot be said enough. We must read the labels every time. What frustrates me is what is NOT on the label. I wish it were required to state right on the label if a facility uses peanuts or not. That would be helpful to me. I won't buy stuff made in a facility that uses peanuts if I can avoid it. I don't care how good they say their cleaning and sanitization efforts are; I don't want to take the risk!
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