Great post on Nut-Free schools

I wanted to share this opinion on peanut bans in schools. It's from a
parent who does NOT have a peanut-allergic child and is ... GASP ...
In favour of her child's school banning nuts, and reasons why in some
cases it's a good idea.

http://notedandblogged.blogspot.com/2010/03/nut-free-oh-we-should-be-so-lucky.html

Quaker Crispy Minis changed again

I realize that this blog has been quiet of late, but I felt it important to let people know that there have been changes to the recipe for Quaker’s Crispy Mini Rice Chips – which had been a staple in our peanut-safe classroom. They changed the recipe once before to include trace amounts of peanuts (and other allergens). Now I am happy to report that they have reduced the number of allergens in 10 flavours of this product.

Here is the notice, forwarded through Anaphylaxis Canada …

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NOTICE FROM: PepsiCo Canada

March 2010

IMPORTANT NOTICE: QUAKER BRAND TO REDUCE ALLERGENS

IN SEVERAL CRISPY MINIS® RICE CHIPS

As part of its ongoing mission to deliver healthy and convenient options that fit into a healthy lifestyle, PepsiCo Canada's Quaker brand is making changes to its manufacturing and allergen control procedures for its Crispy Minis rice chips.

The changes will reduce the number of potential allergens in most flavours of rice chips products only. Allergen labeling on other Crispy Minis products, including Crispy Minis Bite Size rice chips, Crispy Minis Delights cookies and Crispy Minis rice cakes, remains the same.

The reduced allergen Crispy Minis rice chips are now on store shelves in major Canadian retail outlets. Accordingly, ingredients listings will be changing, and precautionary labeling will be adjusted only on affected products, as follows:

CRISPY MINIS RICE CHIPS FLAVOUR	CURRENT FORMULA	NEW FORMULA
Ketchup	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients. May Contain Wheat, Egg, and Peanut	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients
Sea Salt & Lime	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients. May Contain Wheat, Egg, and Peanut	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients
Salt & Vinegar	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients. May Contain Wheat, Egg, and Peanut	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients
Caramel Kettle Corn	Contains Sulphites. May Contains Wheat, Milk, Soy, Egg and Peanut.	Contains Sulphites. May Contain Soy.
Crunchy Dill	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients. May Contain Wheat, Egg, and Peanut.	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients.
Butter Popcorn	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients. May Contain Wheat, Egg, and Peanut.	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients.
Sweet Chili	N/A new flavour	Contains Soy and Wheat Ingredients.
BBQ	Contains Milk and Barley Ingredients. May Contain Soy, Egg, Wheat, and Peanut.	Contains Milk and Barley Ingredients. May Contain Soy.
Cheddar	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients. May Contain Wheat, Egg, and Peanut.	Contains Milk and Soy Ingredients.
Sour Cream & Onion	Contains Milk Ingredients. May Contain Soy, Egg, Wheat, and Peanut.	Contains Milk Ingredients.

The Quaker brand reminds consumers of these important tips regarding the importance of carefully reading food ingredient labels:

• Food-allergic individuals and those buying for them are encouraged to read food ingredient labels at least three times: once when purchasing the item; a second time when putting the item away; and a third time just prior to serving the item.

• Take steps to improve your understanding of labeling regulations and their limitations. It should never be assumed that all sizes and flavours have identical allergen profiles, so check the label every time.

• Products with a "may contain" warning could be problematic for individuals with life-threatening food allergies. If there is a precautionary warning, it is possible that the product contains traces of the allergen.