Food allergy advice for kids parties, halloween, etc?

[Saffron]

If your children have food allergies (nuts, wheat...), are there any store-bought treats that are ok for them? xx

[monniemae]

Kinnerton is a nut-safe brand. They do chocolate lollies etc. Sainsburys sell some stuff, and possibly holland & barrett. Not sure about wheat, as we don't have that issue, but mrs crimble stuff (often in the free from aisle) are often good options.

Are you catering for a child with allergies? Can you ask their parent what they recommend? Alternatively Allergy UK or Mumsnet allergy forum are good for advice

[monniemae]

PS if you check with the parent they may say for instance that Goodies snacks are fine; we used to have to avoid everything with a nut warning but now know that goodies is safe for our lo

[Saffron]

For large functions -- won't be able to check with everyone in advance unfortunately. I've read a few online forums, just wondering what people like that's available locally. :)

[Saffron]

Will have a look for Kinnerton and Goodies. Haribo or Cadburys generally ok?

[monniemae]

I think there are only a handful of cadburys products that don't carry a nut warning.

If it is for large functions and you take things out of the wrappers, as long as you identify what they are people may still choose whether to eat it.

For instance my sister in law ignores all "may contain" warnings for herself, though wouldn't for her child.

[monniemae]

Choc buttons fine I think

[etta166]

Kinnerton are great for nut-free products and easy to find at poundland and supermarkets. Most gummy sweets are nut-free and wheat-free.

Sainsbury's stocks a nut free tray-bake, but I can't remember the brand. The Fabulous baking boys do muffins, flapjacks, cupcakes etc that are nut-free. It's actually pretty easy locally, and I would leave stuff packaged to prevent cross contamination too.

[oimissus]

not an allergy but if you've got veggie children around, Haribo aren't veggie (in fact most sweets aren't).

[Tigres Pride]

We always have a supply of fruit, satsumas, small apples, etc on the side for anyone that has any allergies.

At least the kids collect something.

[Gubodge]

I don't think you can really second guess food allergies. It sounds like because of the size of the event, you're assuming some of the guests might have allergies but don't actually know. By all means get stuff in, and it's lovely that you're considering catering for allergies, but the likelihood is that you'll end up with a guest with the wrong combination for what you've bought. Fabulous baking boys stuff might be ok for someone with a nut allergy, but is no good for someone who can't eat dairy. I like some of the tesco's free from range, which suit my daughters allergies just fine, but are probably no good for someone who can't eat soya.

I wouldn't expect my daughter to be catered for at a large function (or trust someone to) so would always take something along for her to eat, but what would be really thoughtful is that you keep the packets or list the ingredients for the food you're providing. An own brand Jaffa cake might be ok while a mcvities one isn't, so I need to be able to check. Also, keep things separate. She might be fine with a salted crisp, but not one that's shared a bowl with a cheese and onion one.

[Saffron]

oimissus Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> not an allergy but if you've got veggie children

> around, Haribo aren't veggie (in fact most sweets

> aren't).

Is there one you recommend?

[Saffron]

Fruit and veggie options are available. Everything is packaged, and/or labels are available, and items are not mixed.

Not trying to second guess anyone, just trying to provide the mostly widely inclusive options possible because there is no reason not to do so now that specialty options are widely available, imho. (Obviously, if children have very specific dietary needs, then I'm relying on the goodwill of their parents to be proactive in advance, and I would be very happy to accommodate.)

Many thanks for the insights and suggestions. xx

Gubodge Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I don't think you can really second guess food

> allergies. It sounds like because of the size of

> the event, you're assuming some of the guests

> might have allergies but don't actually know. By

> all means get stuff in, and it's lovely that

> you're considering catering for allergies, but the

> likelihood is that you'll end up with a guest with

> the wrong combination for what you've bought.

> Fabulous baking boys stuff might be ok for someone

> with a nut allergy, but is no good for someone who

> can't eat dairy. I like some of the tesco's free

> from range, which suit my daughters allergies

> just fine, but are probably no good for someone

> who can't eat soya.

>

> I wouldn't expect my daughter to be catered for at

> a large function (or trust someone to) so would

> always take something along for her to eat, but

> what would be really thoughtful is that you keep

> the packets or list the ingredients for the food

> you're providing. An own brand Jaffa cake might

> be ok while a mcvities one isn't, so I need to be

> able to check. Also, keep things separate. She

> might be fine with a salted crisp, but not one

> that's shared a bowl with a cheese and onion one.

[Saffron]

Not veggie here, and no food allergies... but I'm finding it really interesting. You learn something new everyday!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11118956/Surprising-food-thats-not-suitable-for-vegetarians.html

[oimissus]

veggie sweets - I tend to stick to chocolates. So in our trick or treat bowl we have lots of chocolate skeletons, eyeballs, spooky choc coins, that kind of thing. Choc buttons or coins in between pass-the-parcel layers. Sandwiches are always cheese or jam.

That list isn't a surprise for us, unfortunately. One thing I find a total bugger is buying any kind of chocolate pudding (like an Aero mousse or simeilar) - none are veggie. You can now buy veggie pesto, though - Sacla have brought one out which is a handy store cupboard staple for us, as we were having to make our own - which is lovely, but not speedy or especially cheap! (Sainsbo's basic fake parmesan is veggie).

[bodsier]

Most of Mars and spencer products not suitable for nut sufferers. Kinnerton from some big sainsburys. Gummies if they are not veggie. Bear in mind that nuts and wheat Allergies often tie in with dairy too but not always.you can get soya desserts, but might be allergic to soya too. personally I would stick to haribo skittles, drum sticks, jellie and boiled sweets stuff like that, and

kinnerton chocolate bars.