Shopping with food allergies
September 15, 2009
Shopping is a leisure activity, but sometimes it can become real misery for allergic individuals. Reading labels, buying fresh food and asking questions are vital steps for consumers with food allergies.
Grocery shopping turns out to be a laborious task for anyone related to a person with severe food allergies. To prepare safe allergy free meals and facilitate your weekly shopping, here is a detailed list with the most common allergens. The list can always be consulted and updated depending of your preferences, your allergens and your food requirements or diets.
Dairy* : artificial butter flavour, butter, butter fat, buttermilk, butter oil, canned food, canned tuna, cheeses, cottage cheese, cream, cream cheese, custard, egg rolls, ghee, gravy, hot chocolate, ice cream, lactose, mashed potatoes, milk (condensed, derivate, dry, evaporated, goat's and other animal, fat, low-fat, non-fat, popcorn, powder, sausages, skimmed, solids, whole), rice pudding, sauces, seasoning chips and fries, shortening, sour cream, yogurt, etc.
Eggs*: alcoholic drinks and cocktails, baby foods, breakfast cereals, burgers, cheese, custard, dried egg, eggnog , egg glaze, egg liquids, egg powder, egg solids, egg whites, egg white powder, egg yolks, egg yolk powder, eggnog, egg rolls, marshmallow, mayonnaise, meat balls, meat loaf, meringue, meringue powder, pâtés, pastas, sauces, sausages, waffles (mixed), etc.
Fish, Shellfish and Seafood: anchovy, anchovy paste, appetizers (starters), bouillabaisse, caviar, chowder, cooking sauces, coquilles Saint-Jacques, croutons, different species of fish, fish (bouillon, sauce and stock), fisherman's plate, molluscs and crustaceans, paella, pizza toppings, salad dressings, soups, spicy tomato cocktail, sushi, wines, Worcestershire sauce, etc.
Gluten & Wheat* : ale, baking powder, beers, breakfast cereals, bran, broth and broth cubes (beef and chicken bouillon), canned (food, soups and tuna in oil), cheese spreads, condiments, couscous, egg rolls, falafel, farina, flour, malt (flour, liqueur, powder and vinegar), muesli, nachos, noodles, parmesan fondue, pasta, pita breads, pizza dough, sauces, sausages, seasoning, semolina, soups mixed, soy sauce, spices, tamari, tortillas, vermicelli, wraps, etc.
Nuts* : almond paste, Amaretto flavour, Asian food and sauces, barbecue sauces, breakfast cereals, broth (bouillon) canned (food, soups), chestnut flour, coffee (grinders used with nut, hazelnut, almond flavoured coffee), cooking sauces, chips, hot chocolate, marzipan (almond paste), mixed nuts, muesli, nachos, nut butter, nut oil, pasta sauce, pesto sauce, pizza toppings, rice pudding, stuffing, sweet almond oil, tortillas, Vegetarian food, walnut oil, etc.
Peanuts* : Asian food and sauces, almond glaze and paste, arachis oil (peanut oil), breakfast cereals, cooking sauces, curry sauce, egg rolls, hot chocolate, mixed nuts, muesli, pasta sauces, peanut butter, peanut flour, pretzels, spring rolls, stuffing, Thai food, tortillas, etc.
Sesame* : Asian food (noodles, rice, sauce and sautés), kebabs, hummus, marinades, pâtés, sausages, seeds, sesame oil, sesame bars, sesame butter (tahini), sesame paste, seasoning, sesame salt and soups, spice mixed, spices, vegetarian burgers, etc.
Soy*: baby cereals, miso, soy (bean, flour, germ, milk or drink, oil, sauce), soya, spreads, tamari, soy vegetable proteins, tofu, vegetable (broth, pâté and starch), etc.
Sulphites*: Ale, beer, cider, coconut juice, coleslaw, condiments, fruits and vegetables (canned, concentrate, crystallized, dried, fish, fresh, frozen, juice and mixed), gelatine, glucose (solid and syrup), hot-dogs, jams, jellies, molasses, molluscs, muesli, pectin, processed food, sausages, seasoning, snack foods, soft drinks, soy based products, spices, sugar syrups, tea, tomato (paste, pulp and purée), vinegar, wine, wine vinegar, etc.
Yeast* : alcoholic beverages, baby food, canned fruits, cereals, citrus fruit juices, frozen citrus fruit, egg rolls, fruits, ginger ales, grapes juices, ketchup, malted drinks, mayonnaise, meat, milk, mustard, pickles, pretzels, root beer, sauces, soya sauce, stuffing, vegetables, vinegar, etc.
The allergens marked by an asterisk may be presented in baked goods (bagels, biscuits, breads & breadcrumbs, buns, cakes (icing, frosting, and mixed), chutneys, cookies, crackers, crepes, croutons, muffins, pastries, pies, pudding, quiches), confectionery (candies, caramel, chocolates, marshmallow, nougat, sweets), dips, donuts, fine herbs, flavouring, frozen food (dessert, yogurt, gelato, sorbet), granola bars, margarine, pancakes (flour, mixed), pies, pretzels, proceeded meat, pudding, rice cakes, risotto, salad dressing and Viennese bakery products, etc.
In addition , different methods to consume food (bottled, canned, cartooned, cook, dehydrated, dried, fried, frozen, purée, peeled, pre-cut, raw, soft, unbaked, uncooked) are crucial to avoid serious and severe allergic reactions. Please note that allergens can also be found in beauty products, calcium supplements, cosmetics, craft products, glycerine, hair care products, medication, omega-3, supplements, pet food, skin care products (bath oil, body lotion, cream, hand cream, soap, sun cream lotion, etc.), vitamins, etc.
Finally, if you wish to complete the list by suggesting a particular food or aliment which may contain traces of an allergen, please do not hesitate to submit your choices by clicking on the link below.