How-to Avoid Food Allergy Reactions due to Cross Contact

When food comes into contact with another food and their proteins mix, we call this “cross-contact.” Even though there may only be small amounts of proteins that mix together, people with food allergies can be affected and could experience a food allergic reaction if these proteins contain their allergen(s).

This holiday season, prepare ahead by being informed and doing what you can to prevent allergic reactions resulting from cross contact.

About Cross Contact and Cross Contamination

Cross-contact occurs when an allergen is inadvertently transferred from a food containing an allergen to a food that does not contain the allergen. Cooking does not reduce or eliminate the chances of a person with a food allergy having a reaction to the food eaten.

While cross-contact is a fairly new term, another commonly used term is cross-contamination.

Cross-contamination can be a major cause of foodborne illnesses. Bacteria and viruses from different food sources can contaminate food during preparation and storage, although proper cooking will in most cases either reduce or completely eliminate the risk of foodborne illness.

How to Avoid Cross-Contact and Cross Contamination

Families should choose what works best for their home and lifestyle. Some parents choose to completely eliminate all food allergens from their home. If allergens are present in the home, there is always a risk that those foods will “contaminate” safe foods so it is important to take steps to keep family members safe.

When a child or family member is diagnosed with food allergies, it is important to learn about necessary precautions that can be taken to ensure food safety. Changing your approach to shopping, cooking, cleaning, and storage,can ensure that meals prepared in your home are safe for everyone.

Shopping

• Keeping foods that contain allergens separate from other foods can minimize cross contact. Consider using a bag to separate allergenic foods from non-allergenic foods in the shopping cart as well as at checkout.
• Read labels every time you shop, since ingredients can change periodically.
• It may be a good idea to avoid buying food from bulk bins, salad bars or the deli counter as these are common sites for cross contact.

Storage

• Dedicate shelves or areas to separate foods containing allergens from other foods to avoid confusion.
• Choose squeeze bottles when possible to eliminate double dipping. Try to use condiments free of the food allergen for everyone in the family to enjoy, but if this is not possible clearly label the option that is allergen-free.
• Place allergen-containing foods on shelves below allergen -free foods — in the pantry, refrigerator and freezer.
• Consider labelling foods in your home as “safe” or “not safe” or use colored stickers to quickly mark them when storing in your kitchen. This may be especially helpful for younger children who cannot read but can identify patterns or colors.
• Stock up on food essentials and have safe substitutes on hand.
• Avoid purchasing items that look similar to each other.

Cooking

• Practice proper food preparation to avoid cross-contact. Thoroughly clean counters, cutting boards, knives, slicers, spoons, measuring cups, mixing bowls and other equipment with warm, soapy water

• Prepare safe meals first if you are preparing both “safe” and “unsafe” foods.
• Do not use the same utensils to prepare allergenic and non-allergenic dishes. Wash all utensils and equipment with warm, soapy water or the dishwasher to remove allergenic food proteins.

• Place utensils, plates and cutting boards directly into the sink or the dishwasher immediately after use. Teach your family that soiled items in the sink or dishwasher are not safe to use until they have been properly washed.
• If you use a barbecue, be sure to fully clean the grill before cooking for your child. Consider using foil or a clean grill pan to prepare foods for your child with food allergies.
• Dedicate space to allergen -free preparation whenever possible.

• While somewhat uncommon, beware of airborne allergens such as steamed/boiled milk or seafood during cooking or heating. Family members with certain food allergies may need to keep a safe distance at these times. You might want to allow the air to clear for 30 minutes afterward before re-entering the room.

Cleaning

• Teach everyone to wash their hands with soap and water before touching safe foods. Their hands could have allergens on them and they could make a safe food become unsafe.
• Do not allow allergen-covered utensils to touch your “safe” foods. For example, if a knife used on butter gets inserted into a jar of jam, the jam is no longer safe for a dairy-allergic individual to eat. If you spread butter on wheat bread toast and then dip your knife into the butter again, the butter will now contain traces of wheat.
• Teach everyone to clean all surfaces after preparing food and to clean countertops before preparing food.  Countertops could have traces of allergens on them.  Food prepared on an unclean countertop can result in cross contact with allergens.

• Confine all food consumption to your kitchen and dining areas. Otherwise, crumbs and traces will get onto your carpets, furniture, toys and other surfaces.
• Wash pans, utensils and dishes in hot, soapy water before using them to prepare food for someone with food allergies. It is best to rinse off dirty dishes and utensils before loading them into your dishwasher.
• Clean surfaces (such as desks, counters, tables, airline seats or tray tables, etc.) with a wipe that contains a commercial detergent or apply a spray-on detergent and vigorously wipe the area that has come into contact with the allergen.

Eating Out

• Bring written instruction cards that include your child’s allergens and ask to speak with the chef or manager. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) makes it easy with their free chef cards.
• Ask for separate utensils, pots/pans, plates, and preparation surfaces that have not come in contact with allergens that could be problematic.
• Check the restaurant’s Web site or call ahead of time to determine if there are potential safe foods and whether ingredients are listed on the menu.
• Use a commercial-detergent-containing wipe to wipe down the eating area and chair that the food-allergic individual may come in contact with. If menus are re-usable, wipe these down as well before allowing the food-allergic individual to touch them.
• Double check ingredients and preparation. Recipes change. Don’t assume anything is safe until you verify that it is.
• If an item is served that you know or suspect contains the allergen in question, ask for a separate dish to be brought out and keep your dish until a new one is prepared.
• Buy a special cup or sippy cup to use both at home and away from home and label it with your child’s name.

How can an amino acid-based formula support my child?

An amino acid-based hypoallergenic formula such as EquaCare Jr. or Essential Care Jr. can be beneficial to ensure adequate nutrient intake during periods of food elimination or avoidance, poor weight gain and growth. Cambrooke’s EquaCare Jr. and Essential Care Jr. formulas offer healthy, more affordable amino acid-based formula options for the parents of children with food allergies and GI disorders. Learn more about each of these beneficial products by visiting us online today or calling 1-833-377-2773.

Sources:

• https://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/prevent-allergic-reactions-in-your-home.aspx
• https://www.eatright.org/homefoodsafety/four-steps/separate/preventing-cross-contact-at-home
• https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/avoiding-cross-contact
• https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/tips-keeping-safe-home
• https://www.foodallergyawareness.org/food-allergy-and-anaphylaxis/cross-contact/cross-contact/