Burger King joins other fast-food joints to offer gluten-free fare

From eMaxHealth.com: In an effort to serve those with wheat and gluten allergies, Burger King joins other fast food restaurants, such as Wendy’s and McDonald’s, with offering customers a menu listing of items that are gluten-free. – Read more here.

MediKidz comic book tackles food allergies

From FemaleFirst.co.uk:  The National Food Allergy and Intolerance Week (25-29 January 2010) will highlight the disturbing news that the number of children suffering from food allergies has increased by 200% in the last decade…As part of the national week, Medikidz – the world’s first multimedia health education publishing company for children – will release their latest title, What’s up with Paulina? Medikidz explain Food Allergy on Monday 25 January, to provide support to children diagnosed with a food allergy. – Check it out here.

U.K. restaurant fined after serving peanuts to allergic man

From the U.K. EatOutMagazine: Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team successfully prosecuted Su Yung Chow, trading as the New China House Takeaway Restaurant, Derby Road, Chesterfield. Chow yesterday pleaded guilty to two offences under the Food Safety Act 1990 and was fined almost £3,000. Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard Chow supplied unsafe food by failing to declare the presence of peanuts in a Koon Do spare ribs meal to Matthew Baker, a customer with a nut allergy, even though he had asked when placing his order whether or not the meal contained nuts. — Read more here.

Allergy alert – Milk

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, Rudolph Foods Company Inc. is recalling “Pepe’s Gigante Louisiana Hot Sauce Flavored Cracklins” due to undeclared milk. The product was distributed in California. The product is in a 3.5-oz. package with a use by date of  ”03/19/2010,” as well as “EST. 0525″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. Consumers with questions can go to AskKaren.gov or call (888) 674-6854.

NJ school district’s food allergy policy

The Hillsdale Public School district in New Jersey has developed a comprehensive school policy regarding students with food allergies. Check it out here, especially if you are trying to develop a plan for your school district.

Teens’ study: 1-6 food products mislabeled

From New York’s LongIslandPress.com: High school students analyzing food products found in their own kitchens discovered that one-sixth had been mislabeled, according to a DNA study released Monday. Out of 66 foods tested by Trinity School seniors Brenda Tan and Matthew Cost, 11 had labels listing ingredients that had been replaced, usually with cheaper or less desirable options. The pair found that a specialty “sheep’s milk” cheese was actually made with cow’s milk, and caviar labeled as “sturgeon” was actually Mississippi paddlefish. - Read more here.

Dogs trained to sniff out allergens

From Miami’s CBS13.com: More than three million children in the U.S. suffer from food allergies, for some of them a reaction can be quick and deadly. Now some families have found a new way of better protecting their children; dogs that sniff out allergy danger. – Read more here.

Allergy alert – milk

From the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis NetworkLa Espiga de Oro, Inc. is recalling “Fiesta Brand Flour Burrito Tortillas” due to undeclared milk. The product was distributed through Fiesta Marts in Houston, Texas. The 12-count packages bear UPC 51022 00060 and dates November 30, 2009 through December 20, 2009. Consumers may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call (713) 861-4200.

FAAN website dons a new look

A press release from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network: The Internet’s foremost authority on food allergies, www.foodallergy.org, has been completely transformed with a new look and functionality that provides greatly improved usability for visitors including the newly diagnosed, professionals, and members of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). – Read the details here.

Allergy alert – Peanut

From MiamiHerald.com (Florida):  Jelly Belly Candy Co. is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinder-style packages of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans because the package is incorrectly labeled. The mislabeled packages failed to list peanut butter and peanut flour in the ingredient statement. People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients. The Jelly Belly 49 Flavors cylinder packages were shipped to about 200 independent stores nationwide from Sept. 29 to Oct. 30, 2009. Consumers who have a peanut allergy and purchased the product should return it to Jelly Belly Candy Co., One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, Calif., 94533. For more information call 800-522-3267.