FoodAllergyInfo.com

From Arizona’s YumaSun.com: If Vicki Kerley seems reluctant to share a hug, her friends know not to take it personally. “I’m not a huggy-type person and I really don’t like to shake hands with anyone, because I never know who’s been dipping into the peanuts,” Kerley said. The Yuma resident is a certified scuba diver who has explored the Earth’s waters, trekked through rainforests and jungles and traveled to Africa on an animal photography safari. But the seemingly invincible woman can be unexpectedly defeated by something quite small: a peanut. Kerley is severely allergic to them. – Read the rest of the story here.

From Reuters: Peanut allergy has proven to be a tough nut to crack. While there’s still no way to make peanuts completely safe for people who are allergic to them, an experimental therapy may make them less deadly, report researchers from Germany and the US. – Read more here.

From Ohio’s Middletown Journal: Students who suffer from potentially life-threatening food allergies now have more protection at school. The Board of Education Monday night, June 14, approved a policy that provides universal guidelines for staff training on how to deal with preventing and treating severe allergic reactions. — Read more here.

From Washington state’s KXLY.com:  A Spokane mother says she doesn’t feel safe letting her child outside to play in the yard because of squirrels. Michelle Areta says those squirrels leave nuts in the yard of her home; nuts that her son is deathly allergic to. Michelle has a tougher job than most mothers as her two-year-old son Niema has a very severe peanut allergy that could kill him. A Spokane mother says she doesn’t feel safe letting her child outside to play in the yard because of squirrels. Michelle Areta says those squirrels leave nuts in the yard of her home; nuts that her son is deathly allergic to. Michelle has a tougher job than most mothers as her two-year-old son Niema has a very severe peanut allergy that could kill him. – Read more here.

According to Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, Rich Products Corporation is recalling “Allen Bavarian Crème Filling” due to undeclared coconut, pecan, and milk. The product was distributed to foodservice distributors and in-store bakeries nationwide. The pail size is 3.5 gallons and weight is 31.0 lbs. with production codes 11870137F21, F-22, F-23, F-24, and F-25. Consumers with questions may call (800) 356-7094.

According to Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Inc., is recalling “Bimbo brand Soft White Bread” due to undeclared milk. The product was sold in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The 1-lb. 4-oz. (or 567 grams) packages have a red band of color above the clear bag window on the front of bag and square lock tab closures in the colors and dates as follows: white tab – 6/14 or 6/21; blue tab – 6/15; tan tab – 6/17; green tab – 6/18; red tab – 6/20. Consumers may return the product to its place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call (800) 984-0989.

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network: The Kroger Co. is recalling “Kroger Deluxe Chocolate Paradise Ice Cream” due to undeclared tree nuts. The product was sold in Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. It was also sold in Jay C, Food 4 Less, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less, and Scott’s stores in both Illinois and Indiana. The products are in 48-oz. containers with a “sell by” date of Jan 24, 2011 under the UPC Code  11110 50712. Consumers with questions may call (800) 632-6900.

From USA Today - It’s much ado about peanuts. The Transportation Department has asked the public for weeks to comment on whether the once-popular, but increasingly rare, snack for passengers should be banned or restricted on airline flights for the sake of those who suffer serious allergies. But whichever way public sentiment falls, there can be no ban on peanuts without scientific proof to back it up. – -Read the details here.

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, Pure Base Distribution, LLC, is recalling “Pure Base Garlic Spread- Concentrate” and “Pure Base Garlic Spread – Ready to Spread” due to undeclared milk and wheat. The products were distributed nationwide in online and traditional retail stores. The recalled products are:

Pure Base Garlic Spread – Concentrate in 4-oz. bottles:

92221, Best By 8/10/2010
92391, Best By 8/27/2010
92661, Best By 9/23/2010
92921, Best By 10/19/2010
93291, Best By 11/25/2010
100341, Best By 2/3/2011
100971, Best By 4/7/2011
101181, Best By 4/28/2011  

 Pure Base Garlic Spread – Ready to Spread in 7-oz. bottles:

 92641, Best By 9/21/2010
93021, Best By 10/29/2010
93291, Best By 11/25/2010
100391, Best By 2/8/2011
101181, Best By 4/28/2011

Consumers may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call 888-980-7474, ext 105.

From NPR: You’re listening to SCIENCE FRIDAY from NPR. I’m Ira Flatow. You know, for many people, for most of us, I dare say, a peanut butter sandwich on a whole wheat bread and a glass of milk, mmm, it sounds like a pretty good lunch. Or maybe a bowl of pad Thai, maybe with some tofu in there for good measure. But if you have food allergies, these lunches could make you sick, and in some cases an allergic person’s reaction to these dishes could kill you. But it can be hard to get a handle on just who actually has food allergies and who doesn’t, in some cases because people misrepresent their own symptoms and in some cases because diagnostic tests may be inconclusive or used incorrectly. – Read the rest of the transcript here.