I was browsing the Food Allergy Initiative's website, when one of the rotating images on its main page tugged at my heart:





Someday I'll eat peanut butter. My hopes too, sometimes. Our household hasn't had peanut butter for about 6 years now, since we found out about my son's peanut allergies. I can't exactly say I miss it, because after a while you just get used to the alternatives. Besides, it's not exactly the healthiest of bread spreads, and with the recent peanut butter recalls, I'm glad I don't have it in our pantry. But I hope there will come a day when our family need not be afraid of peanut butter anymore.

La Mexicana, Inc., is recalling "Solena Tortilla Chips" due to undeclared milk.

The product was distributed to retail stores and food service outlets in Oregon and Washington. The product is in a 16-oz. bag with code date of JUN 03 09.

Consumers may return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call (206) 763-1488.

We all know that an individuals chances of developing allergies is determined by both genetics and environmental influences. While we can control environmental conditions to a certain extent, genetics is like, well, destiny: there's really nothing you can do about it, save for gene therapy, which doesn't seem likely for the to be available for the treatment of allergies in the near future.

But how much of an influence does genetics really play? A New York Times report looks into it and concludes:

Unlike hair and eye color, they stem from the interactions of a multitude of genes, some conferring protection and others contributing to the development of allergies. As a result, people may not inherit their parents' specific allergies to ragweed or pollen, but will have an increased likelihood of developing an allergy in general, particularly when both parents have one.

One study of 344 families, for example, found that when neither parent had a history of asthma, only 6 percent of children went on to develop it. But in families where one parent had the condition, 20 percent of children had the diagnosis; in families where both parents had it, 60 percent of children had it too.

Additionally, based on studies of twins (published here and here), it appears that when one identical twin suffers from hay fever, asthma or eczema, the other twin has it in 50 to 80 percent of cases. In fraternal twins, the percentage drops to about 25 to 40 percent.

Did you know that limes can trigger your allergies? Apparently, lime and other citrus fruits contain a compound called limonene, which gives many people watery eyes and a burning sensation in the nose, as well as skin irritations.

Surprised? Here are other lesser known allergy triggers that may be in your household: stuffed toys/pillows/mattresses, candles, perfumes, soaps/detergent, carpeting, spices, wall paint, beer/alcoholic drinks, christmas trees. Find out more from this CNN report.

Smith Dairy Products Company is recalling "Smith's Tea with Lemon" gallon size due to undeclared milk.

The lot affected in this recall is in gallon-size containers with UPC 70424 00560 and lot
number 07/07/09. If you have purchased this product and would like to return it, you may return the product where you bought it for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call (800) 776-7076.

Looking for peanut and tree-nut free snacks? Look no further than the Peanut Free Planet! Cookies, chocolates, pasta, granola bars, trail mixes and many more... and all nut-free!





Now you can order most if not all the nut-free brands of snacks such as Cherrybrook, Divvies, Enjoy Life and many more, all in one website! Order more than $100 and you even get free shipping! Check it out and stock up!

I have to admit, I've stopped buying books on food allergies. My son has outgrown all but his peanut and tree nut allergies and my second-born does not seem to have any at all (we haven't tried nuts so far, though). But if you're a parent of a child that has just been diagnosed with food allergies, or perhaps a significant other wishing to learn more about this condition your loved one is suffering from, here's a book that's been getting good reviews, and which you might want to consider getting hold of: Flourishing with Food Allergies: Social, Emotional and Practical Guidance for Families with Young Children.
Some excerpts of reviews are summarized in a press release at Yahoo. See more reviews at Amazon and at the book's website.

A new report indicates that between 1997 and 2007, there have been an unusually high number of deaths among cancer patients who received Cremophor-based paclitaxel, a solvent-administered taxane chemotherapy.

Adverse event reports generally only represent from 1 to 10 percent of actual incidence, so the number of hypersensitivity reactions and deaths is likely significantly higher. The severe allergic reactions are believed to be caused by Cremophor, the chemical solvent - a derivative of castor oil — that is used to dissolve some insoluble drugs before they can be injected into the blood stream.

Two patients who died from an allergic reaction had early-stage breast cancer, which had been surgically removed, and were being treated with Cremophor-containing paclitaxel to prevent the cancer from coming back. Both of these patients had received medications before the chemotherapy to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reactions.

How sad is that? There was a good chance that these patients with early breast cancer would have lived several more years, if not for the fatal allergic reaction.

The report has been presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology held recently in Orlando, Fla.

Lookign for an allergy support group in your vicinity? Check out the list compiled by the Food Allergy Initiative. It includes most allergy support groups in the US, listed alphabetically, as well as those in Canada, Greece, Hong Kong and Singapore.

If you are a member of, or know of an allergy support group not listed, or if you have difficulty reaching a group in your area, feel free to contact them at info@faiusa.org or 212-207-1974.

Do you have a twitter account? Then you could use your twitter to help promote awareness about health issues, including allergies. WEGO Health is holding a webinar called "Twitter Power Tools for Health Activists" on June 3rd at Noon, Eastern Time. If you'd like to join this webinar, simply follow this steps:

1. Sign in or Register for a free WEGO Health account.
2. RSVP to the event from the "Events" page on WEGO Health
3. After you RSVP, you'll receive a confirmation email from WEGO Health. Be sure to respond to reserve your spot!