Reading Labels

Inconsistent Labelling

My family doesn’t allow nuts in the house, because both my brother and I are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. One day I was hungry and went to eat a wafer cookie bought by my mom. It had a peanut-free logo on the front, but I read the ingredient list out of habit and saw “may contain peanuts!”

What can others learn from this?

Always read the ingredient list, no matter what it says on the front of the package! It’s a good idea to have a routine where you read food labels at least twice in case you miss something at first glance. You can play it safe by using the 3 point rule checking once at the grocery store, before you put it away at home, and once more before you eat it.

"Don't Eat That!"

We bought a brand of cereal that I have had many times before. Just as I was about to take a bite, my cousin yelled from across the table “Don’t eat that!” He was looking over the label and saw that this brand now displayed the statement: “May contain traces of nuts.” It was a very close call and I really appreciated my cousin’s attentiveness and knowledge of food allergies.

What can others learn from this?

Even though you have had something many times before, it is important to read the ingredient list every time, because companies may change the way they make it or change other products that are produced in their facility.

Have you experienced a risky situation involving your allergies and food labels? How did you manage it? Share your experience!