Well, I finally did it. I've heard the rumors on the web that they have better labeling laws "over there" so I finally decided to find out for myself. It's pretty sad when you have to leave the US to find "safe" food for your child. But it's true. Canada "gets" the whole labeling issue much more than we do.For most people, I realize taking a short trip over to Canada for the day isn't an option. But I live an hour from the border so I decided see for myself. Tyler has only been able to eat two candy bars: Hershey's Chocolate Bar (plain and not those miniature ones) and Hershey's Cookies and Cream. Not a bad selection for a kid that can live without candy but, with Halloween around the corner, I thought other options would be nice.
I am a self-confessed Wal-Mart-aholic, so that was where I set my sights. My mom and step-dad were here for the weekend so they tagged along on the peanut-free excursion.
My first stop was the granola bar aisle since I heard that Quaker has great labeling practices in Canada. Tyler has never tried a granola bar so I thought that might be fun. Sure enough, I had several options. There was no need for me to even turn the box over. There was a big banner at the top of the box that said "Processed in a Peanut-Free Facility" with a "no peanuts" symbol smiling back at me.
Next, I visited the candy aisle. There were not as many options as I hoped but that beautiful "peanut-free facility" graphic was on several of them. I bought three packs of Mars bars. I heard their Kit Kat's were safe but almost gave up on that one. Finally, however, I found a box with 70 mini bars with that lovely label on it. In addition to Kit Kat's, this box had 3 other candy bars I had never heard of.
Here's our loot (click on the picture to see the packaging even better):
Here is a picture of those wonderful labels telling me they are processed in a "peanut-free facility" (favorite words of any parent of a PA kid):
I'll be honest. This wasn't cheap. The prices at Wal-Mart in Windsor, Ontario, aren't as cheap as Metro-Detroit Wal-Marts. The total for two boxes of granola bars (28 total bars), 3 packs of Mars bars (12 total regular-sized candy bars), and a box of 70 miniature Nestle candy bars was $29.50. Yes... that's US dollars!
When you figure in $3.50 each way crossing the bridge on the border and the cost of gas, this wasn't your regular "discount food." But, these are Tyler's special treats. The rest of us can eat other things. These will be stored in an out of the way spot for special occasions.
The verdict on these special "safe treats" for the "Peanut Allergy Kid:"
10 comments:
Wow, how great is that?
Wow! I wish Canada wasn't so far of a trip for me, but at least it speaks of hope for the future here in the U.S. I am sure that it will only be in due time that manufacturers will realize that we need that kind of service,too! It is like a dream come true!
You can access my food allergy blog through the one I have provided.
Amy
That is SO great that you were able to get up there and buy some special goodies! I am sure he will really enjoy all of them. It's a bit too far for us to make the trip. I am still amazed that no one in the U.S. can make an affordable granola bar in a peanut-free facility! Some do exist but they are not very affordable.
I have tears of joy!! Yay for Canada!! Karen
Bless your sweet heart for going to all that trouble for some special treats for your little guy!
What a great example Canada is setting in their labeling practices! I wonder how long we'll have to wait to get that kind of labeling down here? Maybe it's not too far off after our letter-writing campaign last week! :)
Yup, isn't that music to our ears??? and those boxes....ahhh the ease of shopping with those wonderful graphics!
We discovered this a few years back right at xmas time. I cried tears of joy...santa left some of those candy bars, granola bars and a special note letting my son know where he could order more. I just found the note in his desk recently, he held on to that, it was as special for him as it was for us. you can order online, no it isn't cheap, but not all of us can hop in the car over to Canada!
www.peanutfreeplanet.com (don't you love the name!?)
Kelly
I have said it for a long time now that Canada is so far ahead of the U.S. in education, labeling, school safety and overall treatment of food allergies and nut allergies. We live about 45 min.from the border and take our son frequently. He figures we HAVE to buy EVERYTHING that's safe.:-) He actually asked why we couldn't move to Canada...not that easy. I think the U.S. should use them as an example that it should not be that difficult. You can't imagine how many schools are "NUT FREE" as well. There is a magazine called "Allergic Living" that is out of Canada and I subscribe because they have wonderful articles and places you can order the nut free products online. I HIGHLY recommend the magazine.
It sure is great to live in Canada with our labeling laws. We also have great companies who cater to people with allergies and all of our friends with non-allergic kids also purchase these products to have on hand and for lunches.
Rhonda
www.allergysense.com
I live in Canada and have a 2-year-old with a newly diagnosed PA. Until reading this post, I had no idea that we had it so good up here! My daughter already knows the peanut-free symbol, and says, "that means no peanuts, mommy" every time she sees it. I won't take it for granted anymore!
WoW you really feel better buying all that processed high frucose filled man made cr*p?? that just seems odd..
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