Reading food labels.
Since there’s no known cure for food allergies, they can often be severe with dire consequences. How do we avoid food allergies in our day to day lives? The only true (and safe) way is avoidance. How do we avoid food allergies? Understanding food labels is vital in successfully avoiding food allergens. In most countries, it is required by law to list potential food allergens in the ingredients list. Some countries, Australia for example, it is the law that food allergens are displayed in bold in the ingredients list. Also, food allergens must be listed near the ingredients list with a separate warning stating that the product either contains, or may contain, a food allergen.
So, what’s the difference between contains, and may contain? When a label says that this product contains milk for example, this means that milk, or a milk by-product is directly added as an ingredient. When a label says that this product may contain milk, this means that this product has been manufactured using equipment that is also used to make food that contains milk or milk products. This could pose a potential cross-contamination risk.
Avoid food allergies.
Avoiding these food products is an effective way of avoiding the allergens. This also does not mean you have to miss out on eating that type of food. Making your own food is a way of ensuring you don’t miss out on exciting foods you have grown to love. Also, you’ll know exactly what ingredients are used. This will bring you the satisfaction of making your own food from scratch. So, what alternatives are available for me to use? There are a huge variety of food allergy friendly foods and ingredients. Many of these weren’t readily available until recently. And with this additional supply, the associated costs of allergy friendly foods are becoming more affordable.