Peanut-Free Baseball in Illinois

Kudos to Kane County Cougar General Manager Jeff Sedivy for his efforts to bring baseball to kids (and adults) with food allergies! Read more about it...

Event allows safe game viewing for allergic kids
Kate Thayer, Kane County Chronicle
http://www.kcchronicle.com/articles/2008/07/17/news/local/
doc487ed2717e473228391035.txt

Food Allergy Death at Ruby Tuesday

Here are some links to news coverage about the man with a shellfish allergy who died of anaphylaxis after eating crab at a Ruby Tuesday in Lovejoy, GA earlier this month.

Atlanta Journal Constitution: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/07/07/shellfish_0708.html

FOX News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,378064,00.html

BlogBreak: http://www.ajc.com/ajcjobs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/
jobsblog/entries/2008/07/10/mistakes_on_the_job_who_should.html

Ruby Tuesday does provide information on gluten-free, dairy-free and peanut-free menu items in the FAQ section on its Contact Us page. No information is available for other common allergens.

Editor's Note: Nowhere in any of this coverage do I see a mention that the man made it very clear to the server that he had a shellfish allergy. Don't forget, your life is in your hands... if you have a severe food allergy make sure anyone who has anything to do with what you're about to eat knows it. When eating at restaurant clearly explain your allergy to your server- and the manager if necessary.

Summer Eating with a Food Allergy

Here's a good reminder for those of us with allergies that hope to grab a bite at those many fairs and festivals that summer brings.

Food allergy sufferers must be on alert at fairs
Kimberly Hayes Taylor/The Detroit News
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/LIFESTYLE03/807140306

Sandwich Chains

Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order. If you have info on a Sandwich Chain please email us at canieatthere@gmail.com.

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Jimmy John's
Web Site

Allergy Alert: Will not provide allergen information for menu items

Editor's Note: I recently contacted Jimmy John's to request allergen information for their menu items. This is the response I got via email.

"We do not give out ingredient lists. - Jimmy Johns"

I followed up with an email saying I didn't need specific ingredient information, just information on common allergens, I got no response.

If you are looking for a sub fix, many of the other national sandwich chains do list allergen information on their web sites. See links to that information in "Sandwich Chains" list in the right rail of this blog.

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Subway
Web Site

Allergy Alert: Beware of cross contamination

Article about one person's experience dining out at Subway with a food allergy...

Subway: You’ll need to be extra careful if you want to "eat fresh".
Providence Food Allergy Examiner
August 29, 2008

Restaurant profile: Made to order sandwiches with fresh bread and meats and an array of fresh toppings. Sandwiches can also be toasted.

Taste and nutrition: Pretty good considering your alternatives. The overall calorie count on many of the Subway subs are going to be a better choice than a Whopper any day. And, you have the option of getting some veggies in your sandwich too.

Allergen alert: While Subway has been very proactive in providing allergen info on their sandwiches, they failed to take into consideration cross contamination. I experienced this first hand after having a reaction after eating at a Subway restaurant. I was careful about selecting my menu items, but did not consider cross contamination. I know, what was I thinking? Oh well, hopefully you won’t make the same mistake I did.

After I had my reaction, I called and emailed Subway customer service and explained the problem. I was assured that someone would contact me back. The owner of a few Subway locations near my home called me today. We actually had a very productive conversation and she was able to give me some great info. She even agreed that the nutritional info was misleading and gave me contact info for headquarters, where she suggested I encourage Subway execs to add disclaimer info to their advertising regarding these risks.

Here are the problems we identified:

• All the foods are in open bins and any food could potentially drop into another bin.
• Workers wear gloves while making sandwiches, but do not change them between orders. This is probably how I got sick.
• The knives used to slice the sandwiches are not cleaned in-between sandwiches.
• Breads containing cheese are baked with other breads. This is not a likely contaminant, but worth a mention.

The bottom line: If you do not have severe, anaphylactic allergies, you should be ok. If you are severe (like I am), use extreme caution. If you choose to eat there regardless, here are some tips to make your visit a safe one:

• Ask the worker behind the counter to change their gloves.
• Ask them to refrain from cutting your sandwich.
• Check their online nutritional info as a guideline.

Peanut-Free Baseball at the Metrodome (Minneapolis, MN)

Press Release from the Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Association of Minnesota: Peanut-Free Baseball at the Metrodome

The Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Association of Minnesota (AFAA) and the Minnesota Twins are partnering to promote a peanut-free skybox section for those with peanut allergies. The Metrodome skybox will be available for four games this season: Tuesday, May 20th (against the Texas Rangers); Monday, June 30th (against the Detroit Tigers); Tuesday, July 29th (against the Chicago White Sox) Monday, August 18th (against the Oakland A's).

There will be seating for up to 110 allergic individuals and family members in the skybox, which overlooks right field. All games begin at 7:10 p.m. Central Time. AFAA volunteers will staff the skybox during the game.

Food brought into the skybox is screened by Twins staff to ensure that peanut ingredients are not allowed into the area.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at www.twinsbaseball.com/peanut or by calling the ticket office at 612-33-TWINS or 800-33-TWINS & referencing the "peanut free zone".

Individuals allergic to peanuts can have reactions triggered by ingesting foods with peanut as an ingredient, using utensils or eating foods cross-contaminated (i.e. having contact) with peanut, inhaling dust from open bags of peanuts, and sometimes merely touching a surface where peanuts or peanut butter have been. Reactions can range from hives to throat constriction, respiratory distress, vomiting, edema, blood pressure drop and shock. There is no cure for food allergies: avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction.

AFAA is a Minnesota-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization. It is the largest state-level food allergy organization in the U.S. and is known nationally for its accomplishments and programs.

Airports - Dining Out with a Food Allergy

Airports are listed in alphabetical order.  If you have information on any airport restaurants please email us at canieatthere@gmail.com.

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Minneapolis/St. Paul

Locanda D'Amico

Concourse F

Allergy Friendly

*read more in our Minneapolis/St. Paul City Guide.

Minneapolis/St. Paul - Eating Out with a Food Allergy

Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.  If you have info on a Minneapolis restaurant please email us at canieatthere@gmail.com.

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Locanda D'Amico

Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, Concourse F

*Parent company D'Amico & Sons has other locations in Minnesota and Florida

Web Site

Allergy Friendly

Editor's Note:  On a recent trip to North Dakota I flew through Minneapolis and was in desperate need of food.  Eating at the airport is not something that I look forward to and usually have a full stock of food in my bag.  But this was one time I didn't and my flight was delayed.  In concourse F you'll find this qauint, non-airport-like Italian restaurant.  Before sitting down I asked the hostess if they could accommodate my allergies, she went in the back and, to my utter surprise, out came the chef.  Had I magically been teleported away from the airport?  I explained my allergies - soy and shellfish - to the chef and he gave me a detailed description of what I could and could not eat (he even told me the percentage of wheat content in their noodles).  I gladly took my seat and throughly enjoyed my pasta - I could have eaten two helpings!  Thank you Laconda D'Amico, you get a golden star!