Mickey Bars for nut allergies! Heads up!

[lenshanem]

I got an updated allergy list from WDW this afternoon (10/26/06) for our future trip and I'm so glad I requested it! It appears the Mickey Bars are now made on separate equipment and are NUT FREE! This is different info from the past couple times I inquired on this. I'm sooo happy for my daughter!

(Please check for yourself before buying one to be safe as we all know things can change.)

ANYWAY, I just thought I should pass on the good news. I know there are many with kids with peanut allergies and adults, too.

Finally, a special treat that is safe for her to eat! (And now she can eat them on our cruise!!!)

:mickeybar :mickeybar :mickeybar :mickeybar :mickeybar
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

EDIT TO ADD - Be careful, I was looking over the list and the popcorn oil is processed in a plant that produces peanut oil AND the soft pretzels are processed in a plant that contains peanuts and tree nuts! So no popcorn for DD!

[KNWVIKING]

I don't understand why the popcorn is bad. Is the popcorn popped in peanut oil ? Or is it just because the plant has peanut oil somewhere on its property ?

BTW, I know nothing about peanut allergies.

[lenshanem]

Most peanut allergies are very bad - life threatening. Sometimes it only takes a trace amount to cause a reaction. (My daughter is even allergic to the touch.)

Many people with peanut allergies have to worry about cross contamination - ice cream, cookies, cereals, candy, etc. are common products that are often made on shared equipment. Anything from a bakery is a big no, too.

For instance, look at a plain M&M wrapper. It will say may contain peanuts cause it is made on the same lines that make peanut M&Ms.

My daughter couldn't eat the Mickey Bars because Nestle wouldn't guarantee it was safe. It was made on shared equipment. Now they are using a designated line that is nut free. :woohoo:

It is hard to understand the excitement this brought to my house yesterday. She is very limited on what she can eat, especially treats. Eating a Mickey Bar will be really special to her cause there aren't many sweet treats that are safe out there.

Halloween always sucks. We give away about 3/4 of her candy. This year I'm gonna trade her for coins.

As for the popcorn the same plant is making peanut oil along with the canola blend they use for the popcorn. (I would assume it is the same equipment.) It is not a risk I'm willing to take. The sounds of a cross contamination issue happening seem to great to me.

[TW1]

I hear ya Shan.

My son's friend has a very serious peanut allegery. Their entire school is nut-free (well you know what I mean). At first parents had a real problem with not giving their kids PB&J sandwiches, or not even bringing in snacks for parties, but we got over it. Now, every kid in every class K-6 must obey these food rules and no outside food at all can be brought in to the school. And wouldn't you kow it, this kids father works for a candy company!

[KNWVIKING]

Growing up, I never heard of a peanut allergy. Is this a new problem ? Any idea what has triggered it ? It seems like there are a ton of kids out there now with this allergy.

[ErinC]

Shan- that's awesome for your daughter! I hope they keep it that way, so she can continue to enjoy them.

Question (OT)- I know that you carry an epi pen. Do they expire? Do they have to be replaced every so often? I'm concerned about DD3. Twice this year she has been wandering around at soccer practice for big sister and gotten bit by a single ant. Her foot swelled up for 2 days and it was very red, with fever in it. Anyway, my Mother and I were talking and discussed that she is probably allergic to ants. I really fear the outcome if she were to get into an ant bed or something. If a single ant bite can make her swell for 2 days, I'm not sure what several would do to her. My Mother mentioned that I might need to get an epi pen for her. Just wondering what the logistics are for toting one around with you?

[lenshanem]

TW1, wow that is awesome about that school. We haven't been so lucky, I'm always stressed out on PB&J day in the cafeteria. A nearby school that has more peanut allergic kids than ours is peanut free, but I think my daughter is the only one at her school that is so serious.

Viking, who knows?!? It does seem like more kids are now. Maybe it is all the processed foods we eat and the scary things they do to our foods. I do know back in 1999 when she had her first reaction I had a really, really hard time getting correct info and the labeling on foods was terrible. It has really improved since then.

Erin, yes the Epis do expire. I try to get them for a year. I carry two around (in case one doesn't work or in my panic I mess up OR she ends up needing a second shot before help arrives) and the fast melt Benadryls AND an inhaler. I'm like a walking pharmacy. I put them in a red medicine pouch I ordered thru the Food Allergy and Anaphlaxis Network. They can't get too hot or it spoils them, so you can't leave them in the car. They come in a sturdy plastic carrying tube. There is also another competitor out - Twinject. It is two shots in one. The first is the auto injector, the second is a back up inside itself that you have to manually give. I got a prescription for one since it would be easier to carry around, but I'm a little nervous about the manual shot. Have you thought about taking her to an allergist?

[tain321]

My niece also has a severe peanut allergy and will be visiting the parks in February. How did you get the allergy list from WDW?

[lenshanem]

WDW.MK.Special.Diets@disney.com

You can email them with your specific allergies and they'll email you back with attachments. Hope this helps! :)

[greenban]

Life Threatening Allergies, specifically Peanut are increasing at an alarming rate.

Here is a quick link to a plain English summary of some good studies.

http://allergies.about.com/cs/peanuts/a/blaaaai120903.htm

It is very concerning.

Also, epi-pens are not benign, they carry severe risks, especially for adults, and children with undiagnosed cardiac problems. When used properly they are indeed life savers, but they do also pose real risks.

Here is another link with significantly more info on peanut and other allergies.

http://www.allerg.qc.ca/peanutallergy.htm

-Tony

[lenshanem]

Go Tony! :thumbsup: