Wednesday, July 8, 2009
After my food allergy labels post on Monday, I thought I would provide you with a link to some breaking news about the FDA.
The story does not mention food allergy labeling--yet. But I feel that the actions mentioned in this news story represent a great step in the right direction.
If eggs, tomatoes, spinach and yes even nuts are handled in ways that will reduce the risk of food-borne illness, it is my hope that accurate food labels will follow. After all, food labels are also under the umbrella of "food safety." How about writing to your state rep or senator and asking about this? You know, the squeaky wheel and all of that. FAAN has some tips on writing to representatives. These people do listen to us so give it a shot.
And while we're at it, I'm going to suggest that we all shoot off an e-mail to the Wilton cake decorating and supplies company. Newly diagnosed parents of kids with nut allergies are always lamenting the lack of nut-free baking items--I get tons of e-mails about this very topic. We are a growing body of consumers who need to bake cakes from scratch and we can't even get supplies to make them "pretty" in many cases. Divvies and Vermont Nut-Free Chocolate are great places for simple candy decorations or baking chocolate--but what about fondant and more elaborate candy decorations? Many times the only place to go is to Wilton products--only to find that they carry a nut allergy warning.
I'm going to e-mail Wilton and ask them to consider carrying allergy-safe baking/decorating materials. They certainly have a growing audience that needs this stuff and we (home bakers with nut allergy concerns) are certainly loyal customers once we find a product that works for us.
If anyone has some info on allergy-free baking goods other than the ones I just mentioned, please let us know!