Iowans with Food Allergies Urged to be Vigilant at Holiday Parties
It’s the last weekend before Christmas and holiday gatherings can be hazardous, even life-threatening, for children with serious food allergies and restrictions.
Dr. Samantha Knox, a pediatric allergist at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says families should contact a party host ahead of time and be up-front about food concerns.
“There could be hidden foods,” Knox says. “There could be tree nuts or other nuts and peanuts, tree nuts mixed into things like pie crusts, cookies. Milk and egg mixed into casseroles and mashed potatoes and a lot of things that are kind of hidden in a way.”
Knox says parents often need to be advocates for their own children, which may include preparing and bringing safe foods to gatherings. For those hosting, she says it helps to ask about allergies before planning snacks and meals.
“As a host, you may want to ask that, of any families, parents, family members, are there any food allergies?” Knox says. “I think increasingly, as I’ve been with family and friends, that is something that we all do.”
Knox says labeling foods can also help, along with keeping allergen-containing items separated and out of reach. She says a simple rule is if you don’t know what’s in the food, don’t eat it.
Emplify Health by Gundersen has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.
