News for Corn Avoiders - Corn Allergy & Intolerance

Strike Day

2012-01-18T11:52:00.001-08:00

A new Corn-Free Magazine

2012-01-01T19:52:00.001-08:00

Due to difficult economic times, which has lead to a lack of time I can devote to the list. I've started an online newsletter/magazine to help pay some bills, so I can devote more of my time here. The first edition will be out on the 15th of this month.

I have great plans for this newsletter, and the more subscribers the more I will be able to do. It should be a time-saver for those of you who aren't able to spend 24/7 in the forums. And while I'm not yet setup for it, I do plan publishing in the newsletter anything I remove or add to "The List" so you won't have to scan the entire list to see what's new (in the future anyway).

I also get offers now and then, and those that subscribe will get first notice/chance at it.

For only $2.99 an issue, direct to your email inbox.

Top 10 Signs You Might Have a Corn Allergy

2011-12-29T01:14:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Signs You Might Have a Corn Allergy:

10. You have a non-life-threatening condition with no cure and no tests that prove the disease, but a long list of complicated symptoms, and a bunch of tests which say what it isn't.

9. You find it nearly impossible to maintain/reach your ideal weight no matter what you do.

8. You look at people strange when they aren't sleepy or don't have heartburn, reflux, diarrhea, or digestive distress after eating.

7. You're completely addicted to sugar, especially at night.

6. You've heard more than once that it's just "stress".

5. You take allergy medication like candy.

4. You have eczema or other skin condition which never goes away nor improves.

3. You have a tendency for mood swings or impulsive behavior.

2. You routinely suffer from migraines or cluster headaches.

1. Your doctor (and possibly your friends/family) is pretty sure you're a hypochondriac.

What do you think? Did I miss anything? What were your top 10 signs looking back that should have clued you in that you had a corn allergy?

(also bonus points if the treatment for #10 includes steriods or corticosteriods.)

Organic labels don't mean allergy-free for corn allergies

2011-08-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

There's a trend today among those allergic to corn to look for the easy way out. Easy signs on boxes or keywords to look for that increase their chances of something being corn-free. (Personally I really wish we had trustworthy signs on packages, but that isn't going to happen any day soon.)

Over the last few posts here, we've tried to tackle the "corn-free" label on foods issue expressing our concerns that "corn-free" wording means very little to the corn allergic.

However, we've yet to tackle the "Organic" issue that seems to be bandied about today as the be-all of corn-freedom.

"You must look for Organic"… "Is it organic?".. "If it's not organic it'll contain corn."

There was a time when "Organic" actually meant a farmer grew it safely in his field without harmful chemicals and it was delivered to you without waxes or preservatives. During this time, hunting for "organic" foods was a wise choice for people with a corn allergy.

Then Big Business got ahold of the "Organic" label. Now organic can mean a lot of things and even include nasty things.

What Organic means today is generally that almost any nasty thing that was once made with petroleum is now made with ethanol (corn) which can be sourced "organically".

I don't want to get into the debate of which is healthier for you or which foods have more nutrients. If "organic" on labels actually meant what it should, this wouldn't even be a post.

What I do want to make sure to point out is that "organic" labeling today essentially ensures that if a preservative or wash was used, it was corn-based (or soy). Wax coatings on organic fruits - corn-based. Washes on organic veggies - corn-based. Even foods at farmers markets labeled organic can use pesticides made from organic corn or corn in the fertilizer and corn-based washes.

Organic canned goods.. will have corn-based "organic" citric acid. Organic meats are still processed/washed with corny acids most of the time.

I've even seen organic potato chips laden with corn-based dextrose and maltodextrin.

If you want to eat "organic", I have no problems with your choice. I would even encourage it.

However, if you're eating "organic" in hopes of being corn-free, you'll be sadly mistaken.

Company's Corn-Free Claims - Why you can't trust it.

2011-08-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

I hear often, especially in regards to our Corn-Free List, that the company says it's corn-free so it's corn-free.

Corn-free means a lot of different things to different people. If you ask an every day normal by-stander if their hamburger is corn-free, they'll tell you yes. They're looking for corn kernels, and since there are none it is corn-free. A few might say that they don't know thinking there may be corn syrup or corn starch in the bun or condiments.

This is not sufficiently corn-free for the corn allergic.

A letter posted on a Delphi-Member's site from the University of Nebraska - The Food Allergy Research & Resource Program, which is often asked to test foods for proteins so companies can make "-free" claims, had this to say about corn-free claims in the USA:

"...in the U.S., there is no regulatory definition for terms such as corn-free on product labels. Thus, companies can establish their own definitions and there can be considerable variability. Obviously that is not a desirable situation as such terms can sometimes be quite misleading."

This is very truly the case with corn-free labels on packaging as it's been tested by corn allergic human subjects, sometimes successfully and sometimes disastrously. It's hit and miss, which is why we require human-testing for any product that we suspect to be corny or that would be high risk. As much as we'd love to, we cannot just take a company's word for corn-free status.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't contact companies though. As companies can confirm for you that something definitely is corn, which can save you from trying it out. It simply means that even though a company has said "Yes this is corn-free" you should still use caution until you've tested it yourself.

As I've posted once before, we don't believe that companies are using false corn-free claims in order to do harm, but merely that they lack understanding of what constitutes corn-free and/or that their suppliers are not well informed.

University of Nebraska - The Food Allergy Research & Resource Program "does not have an analytical method to test for corn so we would certainly not have performed any testing for corn." So if you see FARRP mentioned as the source for their corn-free claim, please notify the FARRP organization at UNL (here).

Please also keep in mind that tests for "-free" claims do allow a certain amount of proteins to be present (parts per million - ppm) so if it's made from corn, and claimed that the corn is processed out of it, there still could be a protein left (your allergy may not even be protein based, but that's another story).

What is a Corn Allergy?

2011-08-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

When people think of food allergies, they often think of peanuts. Or possibly lactose intolerance (take a pill). Some of the more well-educated individuals are aware of the top 8 allergens; Peanuts, Tree nuts, Shell fish, fin fish, Soy, Wheat, Dairy and Eggs. Few realize that any food can be an allergen.

The normally thought of as 'hypoallergenic', corn is actually an increasingly common culprit of food allergy complaints.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) has this to say about corn allergy: Allergic reactions to corn are rare and a relatively small number of case reports can be found in medical literature. However, the reports do indicate that reactions to corn can be severe. Reactions to corn can occur from both raw and cooked corn. Individuals who are indeed allergic to corn may also react to corn and grass pollens. Cornstarch may also need to be avoided.

To those of us with reactions, the story is much deeper. While there may be individuals who react just to the raw and cooked forms of whole corn and cornmeal, but can ingest cornstarch and undefined derivatives, we began this blog for the individuals who have worked hard to fit the jigsaw pieces of their reactions together in order to finally discover the cause of consistent reactions and come up with...corn.

Like Jenny Connors, we were on our own but not alone. The definitions and mechanics of corn mediated reactions are still blurry. There are some who have a definitive diagnosis of corn allergy (blood work or scratch test positive); and many who have only been diagnosed through the less-comfortable elimination and blind introduction method. Or self diagnosed based on food diaries and symptoms; and deliberate elimination diets and exposures.

A common thread among our medical and popular information sources seems to be that corn derivatives such as microcrystalline cellulose and xanthan gum should not cause any reaction, but these actually cause reactions that are very uncomfortable. And it isn't that people with corn allergies react to just cellulose, or dextrose. There seems to be a consistent low level reaction to just about every derivative.

The new Food Allergy Guidelines state that a Food Allergy is any adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food. (and food is defined as a substance intended to be ingested; whether in it's pure form or a processed one) For the purpose of this blog and the associated ones, the term "corn allergy" will refer to the consistent adverse reactions experienced on exposure to any corn derivative, regardless of the presence of corn protein via food lab tests and/or measurable antibodies in the corn allergic person. (The guidelines themselves say that diet challenge is the only definitive way to diagnose a food allergy.)

We are not doctors or medical professionals. Just part of a small group of individuals with a common medical condition, learning from experience. Our intent is to pool our experiences and research to protect one another, and help those just entering the world of corn-mediated reactions have a smoother transition.

I encourage our readers to find their own level of sensitivity and tolerance.

Companies who make great strides in protecting their food allergic customers have very little to go on when it comes to corn allergies. When we make recommendations or suggest using caution, it is because multiple people (who already have reproducible reactions to confirmed corn derivatives) trace their reactions to a single product. It doesn't mean every corn allergic individual is going to react to it, but it sure does help to know that product A has failed being safe for multiple corn allergic individuals and placed on a suspect list when you're planning a pre-graduation dinner or looking for a bite to eat before a job interview. Hives don't make a good impression, and neither do GI reactions.

If a product is on a suspect list but looks safe...contact the company to verify it's safety for your own tolerance level and then try it out when you don't have big plans in an hour, or the next day. If you can enjoy it, celebrate. And if not, at least you had a "heads up" and don't have to add humiliation to discomfort.

We may not be able to cure this condition, but we can manage it.

Good luck!!!

Lactic Acid Washes on Beef - not safe for corn allergies.

2011-08-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just in case you had your doubts, it looks like lactic acid washes on beef in the processing is going to be continuing if not getting more widespread in the future.

An article on the verdict of “the safety and efficacy of lactic acid when used to reduce microbial surface contamination on beef hides, carcasses, cuts and trimmings”. (Isn't looking good for those of us allergic to lactic acid.)

Lactic acid can come from milk, but most often comes from corn-based sources now.

In industry, the production of lactic acid is done by lactic acid fermentation performed by lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid fermentation is a biological process by which sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose, are converted into cellular energy and the metabolic byproduct lactate.

This practice isn't just for beef alone though. All meats these days tend to get a good "chemical" wash.

So if you have corn allergy and meats are causing you problems, you'll want to look into purchasing them locally from a farmer who can get them processed safely without acid washes for you.

The Food Allergy Cookbook by Neslon and Ibrisimovic - book review

2011-07-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

The Food Allergy Cookbook "A guide to living with allergies and entertaining with healthy, delicious meals." by Carmel Nelson and Amrm Ibrisimovic (The links in this article go to it's listing on Amazon if you'd like to purchase it.)

About a month ago, I was approached by publicist for this book and asked:

"Would you be interested in reviewing this book on your blog if I gave you a free book?"

I said, "Hell yes."

I'm a little bit of a ~~book~~ cookbook junkie, and I do like to have some idea of the new books coming out just so I know whether or not to recommend them.

The Food Allergy Cookbook really is a very good attempt at cutting out a few allergens from your diet. It is almost corn-free (there's a couple recipes which call for ingredients you're not going to be able to find corn-free), wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, possibly soy-free though there's a couple recipes which include ingredients you won't readily find soy-free.. and thats about it. (The recipes do include eggs, beans, nuts, fish, gluten-free grains, rice, and many include coconut.)

This is a really great cookbook for anyone newly gluten-free, or needing to avoid wheat and milk.

My one point of contention with the book is that the authors at the beginning of the book attempt to give lessons on how to eat allergy-free for some allergens (like corn) and fail to give adequate advice. The advice they do give isn't bad, but it's not nearly detailed enough, and should not be taken as your sole source of advice on avoiding these allergens. You definitely should not take their advice about avoiding corn as their advice on it is so incomplete that it could be harmful.

Actually, I advise just skipping the first part of the book and going straight to the recipes.

The recipes look good, and I trust that they are. Unfortunately since I am allergic to almonds, coconut, beans, fish, eggs, rice, most vegetables, and nearly all the gluten-free grains, there isn't much in the book that I could safely make so I've not made any.

I would highly recommend the Food Allergy Cookbook to anyone new to gluten-free cooking or new to dairy-free cooking as there really are some great recipes and ideas in the book.

If you have questions about what is or isn't in the book.. looking for something special? Just ask, I'll check the book for you.

Grading the severity of your allergy: Sensitivity vs Reaction Level

2011-06-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

When it comes to allergic reactions there are essentially two measurements to grade your reactions.

On one side there is reactivity. The severity of a reaction can be as simple as making you miserable, or as life threatening to land you in the ER.

On the other side, there is sensitivity. One whiff of your allergen from 6 miles away might set you off, or you might just simply be able to pick off the offending food from your plate.

These two measurements of allergenicity (is that a word? probably not).. These two measurements of your allergy do not have a single thing to do with one another.

You can go into anaphylactic shock with every reaction, but still only react with direct contact. Another person can simply not feel well with each reaction, and have that reaction if someone even walks in the room with the offending item.

This is where people get confused, and this confusion can sometimes cause people to proclaim things to be totally safe when they're not, or misrepresent themselves. Often this is not done with evil intentions, but with well meaning people trying to share their experiences and help others out.

Whether you tested a 1 or a 4 for your allergen, whether or not it lands you in the ER, does not make you sensitive. An allergy's sensitivity is about just how little contact or exposure is required to make you react at all in any sense.

In sensitivity, there are also two main gauges of sensitivity. Internal and External.

Internal sensitivity is when the allergen is ingested. This includes eye contact and breathing it in, as these both allow the allergen to get "inside" the body with possible absorption by the mucus membranes.

External sensitivity is direct skin contact. Keep in mind, even those without much external sensitivity may find themselves reacting to contact if their skin is broken, or if the corny substance is wet, or if they're in the shower, as wet or broken skin allows the body to more readily absorb the allergen through the skin weakening it's protective barrier.

Someone who is internally sensitive is not always necessarily externally contact sensitive. Those who are externally sensitive may not always be internally as sensitive.

This allows for a lot of confusion when grading products for reliability of corn-free status.

Even at my most sensitive, I could still pick up a corn chip with my fingers or touch a corn cob (I didn't because of my fear of accidentally getting residue of it in my mouth.) without much of a reaction or without a reaction at all. Others would break out into a full body rash on contact with a corn chip, but be able to eat some contaminated products that would leave me sick as a dog for days.

So just to clarify.. The severity of your reaction while horrid does not make your reactions more valid for testing the presence of an allergen, it's your sensitivity (how much it takes to set you off) that is a much better test of the presence of an allergen.

So when you're out there on boards and forums, do a lot of reading and pay attention to what products people are using. Find the person who best fits your own sensitivity level, and join forces.

The best way to get through this allergy is with someone else who also can help you weed out problem products and make safe recommendations.

Don't trust anyone just because they sound right, or are saying what you want to hear. Sometimes the thing that sounds the most unbelievable with this allergy, is the one you should rely on.

In truth, question everything.

The Attack on Food Allergy Accomodations in Schools

2011-03-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

I recieved this email today through one of my local food allergy groups and thought I'd share it with you all to join in the fight.

While this fight is about peanut allergies, it is not a stretch to see how the outcome of this will affect all of us with food allergies, especially corn which is just as hard if not harder to avoid.

"The mother of the allergic child at the center of a school controversy in Florida has asked for some help. The details of what you could do to help are here. If you haven't been following this story, click on the link below.

http://www.clickorlando.com/education/27139755/detail.html

http://allergickid.blogspot.com/2011/03/little-more-education.html?spref=tw

So very many of you have asked if there is absolutely anything that can be done to help the family being harassed and bullied about the food allergy accommodations their daughter receives at her elementary school here in Florida. I finally do have contact information for the school and district, as well as state level agencies, where you can let your opinions be heard, as well as a request from Tracey, the mom.

First, the bad news: there have been so many threats made against their child by parents in online comments, such as putting peanut oil on their own child's backpack, that the family has decided it is no longer safe to send their daughter to school. These protesters have successfully managed to bully a six year old out of school, because of her disability.

Before I set all of you loose, though, I want to give you a word of warning. I can tell you that personally, my blood is boiling. The temptation to just breathe fire through the phone line is awfully hard to resist.

Then I remember how the story has played out in the media. Exaggerations and outright lies have been presented as fact in a "controversy" about "extreme measures" that are "depriving other children of their right to an education."

As hateful as these parents are, they have presented themselves with enough media savvy to make it a story about wanting "compromise" about the accommodations, rather than about a pack of bullies endangering a child's life.

The narrative needs to be fixed.

If you are willing to take the time to send an email or pick up the phone to make a call, remember that the recipient is most likely an innocent school or state employee who has suddenly found him or herself in the middle of a hailstorm. Remember, you are contacting them as a Deeply Concerned Parent, not a Raving Freaking Lunatic.

Just because you know that you are the good guy, doesn't mean that anyone else does. So make sure that your words and tone demonstrate that.

These are a few suggestions:

Explain your concern for this child's safety and well being.
Respectfully ask that, although you understand privacy restrictions, that the school speak up to the media to accurately describe the accommodations this child has received.
Ask what anti-bullying measures are in place, and how they intend to protect children from this kind of hatred.

Spring break started yesterday in Volusia County, adding even more to the hit and run nature of this bullying campaign, but here is the contact information:

Edgewater Elementary School Principal Linda Moore: 386-426-7300.
Volusia County School Superintendent: 386-734-7190. (Follow prompts for operator and ask for Superintendents Office.)
The Florida Department of Education: 850-245-0438.
James Holland, Director of Professional Standards: 386-734-7190 ext. 20256. (This one is to report school misconduct, so make sure you have a Specific Complaint, not a Wild Accusation.)

In the comments of the previous post, Kyra was kind enough to also share the district's email contact information:

Principal Lynda Moore: lmoore(at)volusia.k12.fl.us
Assistant Principal Stephanie Eafford: saeffor(at)volusia.k12.fl.us

Finally, here is the request from Tracey. It appears that in some of the comments by parents in the news stories online, there have been details of her daughter's medical plan, however distorted, that could have only been revealed by a member of the school's staff. If you are brave enough to go on troll patrol, see if you can find any of these comments. If you find them, please copy and paste the comment or take a screen shot if you can (in case it is deleted) and email it and the link to the page to me at allergiesmom[at]gmail[dot]com. I'll sift through the duplicates and make sure that they reach Tracey.

Thank you so much for your compassion and zeal in defense of her daughter." Email written by SunConnor of Austin Families with Food Allergies.

Please help if you can. The fight for our children's rights to an education is an important fight for us to band together.

Thank you!

Discussion of NCGA blog post about corn allergies

2011-01-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

There's a post over on "Corn Commentary", which is a blog of the National Corn Growers Association, which has gotten quite a few people in uproar.

The post is "Allergies Nothing To Sneeze At" which discusses how rare a corn allergy must be, and if read under the right light can lead you to believe that people with a corn allergy are exaggerating or making things up. I am not entirely sure that was their intent or not.

However, what's really gotten people into an uproar is that the comments are not showing. I know I have commented. I also know a good 10 others who have too, but none are showing.

If you'd like to discuss this article, please feel free to use our comments section here. I'll do my best to make sure that "Corn Commentary" sees them.

Some unpublished comments: (please feel free to tell us how you feel about their blog post in our comments, thanks)
_____________

"I deal with corn allergies all the time, and I appreciate you touching on this subject.

Corn is a growing allergen among children and adults, however it is still in its uphill battle stages as many doctors, nutritionists, and other medical professionals still consider corn a hypoallergenic food. (Don’t ask me why, but its true.) So even when presented with proof, some still dismiss the possibility. For that alone, many corn allergies never get reported, and many corn allergic persons resort to alternative medicine.

So that you’re unable to verify just how fast it’s growing does not surprise me. I’m not sure myself on the stats of a corn allergy and how fast it’s growing, and I’ve been doing corn food allergy coaching for nearly 6 years now.

What I do know is that every year there seems to be more and more demand for my services and knowledge, and more and more demand for corn-free foods." - Von

____________

"Your post sounds like you are poking fingers at this poor woman who has to deal with what I deal with everyday. Its a nightmare. There is a whole blog of people with corn allergy. http://forums.delphiforums.com/AvoidingCorn Total Messages: 80440 (39 posted today) Members: 2880 (47 active today)

Corn is in everything! Here's a list of ingredients I have to look out for every day. http://www.cornallergens.com/list/corn-allergen-list.php Meat and vegetables are impossible to buy at any grocery store. They are all sprayed with citric or lactic acid made from corn, or dusted with corn starch. The USDA and FDA has done a fine job at regulating. If there is just trace amounts of corn in any product it doesn't have to be disclosed at all! It is really embarrassing when you visit someone and you have to always remember to bring your own toilet paper. I really hate it when I am around any one with any scents or perfumes on. The alcohol that carries the scent is made from corn. It is nearly impossible to find soaps and shampoos without corn. Vinegar, glycerin, alcohol, natural flavors, vanilla, citric acid, maltodextrin, sweeteners and diet sugars, and salt are just a few examples that are in virtually everything. We even have to pay extra to have our medicines compounded. We have to use the source ingredients without any corny fillers. Please be more compassionate. If any of us goes to the emergency room and we are given glucose we could die." - MissyAnn104

________________

"I have multiple food allergies and by far the one to corn is the worst! Why you ask? Just avoid corn! you say.
Yeah wouldn't that be nice but as you point out corn is so environmentally friendly replacing so many things that it is almost impossible. I can't even use my enhaler any more due the the "environmentally friendly" use of ethanol as the propellant now. Its illegal to use anything else the last I checked. Not to mention what trying to pump gas for my car does to me.
I could say so much more but I know it would do no good. Nothing would change. My life is so far from what it usd to be you would not even recognize it as a "happy ProductiveLife"." - wchamberlink

_____________________

"“Like people with any allergy, she will have to read the labels on any products she wants to consume or use. But, she can still lead a happy and productive life, despite that.”

What a ridiculous thing to say. Only someone that has never had to deal with an allergy to something as ubiquitous as corn could be so cavalier with such a loaded statement. If corn was disclosed on labels at all times, life would be much simpler for the corn allergic, but it would still not even be in the same ballpark with happy and productive. Everything is poison when you are allergic to corn. Other people with all their corny scented products, deli counters in the grocery store, gas stations (inside and out), hair salons, movie theaters, laundromats, offices, schools, even the houses of relatives can be intolerable. Try going on a date when you can’t eat at a restaurant or go to a movie. Try working in an office where microwave popcorn and hand sanitizers are every day obstacles. For that matter, try grocery shopping when they’re steaming seafood with corny seasonings or cleaning the floor and every handle of every shopping cart is wiped down with corny antibacterial wipes. Of course, you know how prevalent corn is in American life. You know that the economy of this country is irrevocably intertwined with the fate of GMO corn because this blog is all about corn propaganda. I noticed that Sudden Death Syndrome, superweeds and the ever increasing need for more chemicals to grow corn and soy crops aren’t mentioned on here.

We corn allergic may have it tough right now, but when the GMO crops fail (aren’t the stores of corn and soy at the lowest point in history right now because of crop failures?) we’ll be the only ones that know how to survive without all the corny “conveniences” upon which the rest of Americans is dependent. I have half a grassfed cow (custom butchered to avoid citric and lactic acids) and local vegetables in my freezer (specifically bought local to avoid corn waxes, gases and acid washes that are on almost all grocery store produce). What will you eat when the grocery store has no frozen dinners, breakfast cereal, canned pasta, sandwich meat, vitamin D milk or rotisserie chickens? Wouldn’t it be interesting to see you survive off the 18 items in my grocery store that are completely corn-free? (I”ll give you a hint: there’ll be no meat, dairy or wheat products at all and you better step lively in the produce section.)

Remember, no one can have it both ways. You can’t extol the virtues of having corn in every product in America in one breath and then suggest that corn allergic individuals only have to read labels for a happy life in the next breath. Who are you kidding?" - kristyreal

______________________

"Based on the tone of your article, it is obvious that you have completed however many days of research and stand by your beliefs. The difficulty of the corn allergy, unlike other food allergies, is the unknown nature in which the allergy will manifest and the lack of discernible ability to pinpoint the culprit of the reaction. This overall ignorance toward a corn allergy has not hope of change unless:

1. A person with clout realizes they are allergic to corn and corn derivatives and gives money for research or sheds light on the allergy and the pervasiveness of corn (which you think is a good thing).

2. the corn industry doesn't have such a large hold and investment on the American food industry.

I'm sorry. I don't agree with the comment "The fact that corn can be used to make a variety of products is a great thing..." or the comment "...not unlike people who suffer from Celiac disease and are unable to eat anything with gluten in it. Like people with any allergy, she will have to read the labels on any products she wants to consume or use."

The reason I do not agree with your statements are the many hidden names of corn and the fact that corn and corn derivatives do not have to be labeled on ingredients lists, like gluten, soy, eggs etc. Corn does not have to be labeled if it is used in any way to process a food, package a food, or used in medications, or IVs.

Most corn ingredients won't be labeled as "corn." Case in point, I gave birth to my daughter last year, I told my OBGYN and the hospital staff that I am allergic to corn. They even wrote it on my red bracelet. I had to have an emergency cesarean, up until that moment I had no worries of being poisoned at the hospital. They subsequently gave me an IV and medication (after 26 hours of labor and refusing said iv and medications) that contained corn...DEXTROSE to be exact. I lost consciousness...they had difficulty reviving me. I surmised, based on your logic, I should have stopped the medical staff to read the labels on the medications, since it's obviously my and, in the future, Maureen's daughter's job to make sure we don't die at the hospital.

I realize you "researched" your article before hitting the "Publish Now" button; however, I am certain you had NO idea how to properly research this allergy. Your statements are based on ignorance. You should try harder and be more diligent next time. Perhaps you should consult Maureen.

Again, gluten must be labeled if any ingredient contains, was derived from, or MIGHT INCLUDE gluten, i.e. wheat, oats, barley, spelt
Soy must be labeled if any ingredient contains, was derived from, or MIGHT INCLUDE soy, even a no-brainer like tofu
Eggs must be labeled if any ingredient contains, was derived from, or MIGHT INCLUDE eggs...including a package of EGGS
Shellfish must be labeled if any ingredient contains, was derived from, or MIGHT INCLUDE shellfish...including shrimp and lobster
Fish must be labeled if any ingredient contains, was derived from, or MIGHT INCLUDE fish...including halibut, tilapia, salmon, etc.
Peanuts...Treenuts...Dairy.... Do you get my point?
Corn or corn derivatives, however, require NO labeling. This is the list of corn and corn derivatives as it exists today. Unless this is stopped Maureen's daughter will have to carry an encyclopedia with her to the grocery store or choose to not eat: (insert Conner's corn allergen list here)" - HelpImHungry

Avoiding corn in the bedroom: Corn-free gets sexy

2010-12-22T21:57:00.000-08:00

We're having a good and much needed discussion about sex, corn, and allergic reactions on our favorite forum, Delphi Avoiding Corn: "Condoms and STD Protection?" and we'd love to get as much user-tested information as possible.

Since most pills do contain corn, finding a good contraceptive can be difficult, plus trying to be safe by protecting yourself from diseases just adds to the fun of this allergy.

We firmly believe in living a full and happy corn-free life, and this is one area with a lot of pitfalls. (The last thing anyone needs during those intimate times is a life or death health episode. For some reason that tends to ruin the mood.)

We're also discussing kissing as the exchange of any bodily fluids can put you at risk of an allergic reaction if the other person eats your allergens.

So please, come join the discussion and share your experiences. (Registration is free)

Tis the season for love and sharing. Right? :)

(We'll be using any information shared to help improve our corn-free products list in this much needed area.)

Corn-Based BPA replacement

2010-10-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

If you're having problems with your normal foods that should be corn-free, but strangely you're reacting, this might be the new culprit.

BPA has been used in various food packaging and some companies are now replacing this toxic chemical with a corn-based solution.

As always, please use caution.

Food Allergy Misdiagnosis and Misinformed Doctors

2010-10-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

For most people who have suffered for years only to find out later that a food allergy or corn allergy is the culprit of nearly all their suffering, there is a always a combination of two things that keep them from the correct diagnosis.

Misdiagnosis and Ignorant Doctors.

For many of the allergy symptoms there are "diseases" that doctors can diagnose them as having, and medications to give to help alleviate those symptoms. Often in these diseases, the medications are variants of steroids or anti-histamines, which help the allergic reaction which further the likelihood of the misdiagnosis. Some medications in these diseases merely manage the appearance of symptoms, such as anti-diarrheal, anti-nausea, anti-reflux, mood stabilizers.

Because there are a multitude of symptoms that come with allergic reactions, you can have a food allergy and never have your throat close or get hives. Unfortunately, many doctors are still misinformed about this and think that unless you get a clear case of hives or your throat closes shut, you can't possibly have a food allergy.

We've talked on this blog before, several times, about how tests are not the end-all-be-all of food allergy diagnosis. The most accurate tests are not 100% accurate.

What is 100% accurate if you're paying attention and you know all the symptoms that can be linked to food allergy reactions and watch for them, is the double blind food allergy intake test. Where the patient is given food with their allergen in it, and again food without their allergen in it, and the person giving it to them doesn't know which food contains their allergen and which doesn't, nor does the patient.

Unfortunately, even in these cases.. with some doctors.. not all symptoms of allergic reaction are included by the doctor for medical diagnosis.

The most common symptoms that I run across that are almost always missed as a food allergy reaction, especially in infants and children:

Reflux
Nausea
Failure to Thrive
Fear of Food
Distended/Bloated Belly
Digestive problems
Ear Infections
Sinus Infections
Trouble Swallowing
Asthmatic issues
ADD/Austism behavioral or developmental problems
Eczema

Recently, on our favorite corn-free forum, Delphi Forums - Avoiding Corn, there was a posting by a woman whose child has suffered needlessly for which she has tried in desperation to find a solution. [Read her full story here]

Her son went through the first year of his life with severe reflux, and failure to thrive. He wouldn't eat and developed an oral aversion, so the doctors put in a feeding tube to force feed him to keep him alive. His parents worked to train him to eat, but being so happy that he was actually eating, they didn't notice that he would only eat because that was what he was trained to do. (Much like training a child to eat pennies or an abused child being trained to accept the abuse.)

Reading her story was heart-wrenching for me, as I completely understand her child's predicament, and how well-meaning efforts to make him live were in reality the equivalent of the most cruel torture. As an infant, he tried in every way at his disposal to tell them that it was the food that was the problem, but no one understood.

She later stumbled into the discovery that her child was allergic to corn, as her attempts to give the child actual corn resulted in hives. So she decided to remove corn products from his diet to test it, and saw him vastly improve in days and actually seek out food on his own.

Yet despite the improvement from avoidance, and his health worsening upon reintroduction of the food, his current doctor refuses to believe that corn is the problem. Because the doctor was trained to believe the (not always accurate) allergy tests, instead of the improvement in the patient.

We've become a nation more afraid that children won't get proper nutrition than we are for the child's actual health. Vegans remove foods successfully. Vegetarians do it successfully. People with peanut, seafood, milk, egg, wheat. and other allergies do it successfully. Yet there is this fear.

Luckily, with the advances in diagnosing Celiac and gluten-intolerance, doctors are more ready and able to look to foods as the culprit. Unfortunately, unless the tests back up the food challenge results, many doctors still consider removing any one food from a child's diet as bad parenting.

The problem is that there is really no one person to blame. It's how our doctors are being taught. The information or lack of it that they get about food allergies, often sponsored by the food companies themselves. Parents rely on their doctors to be experts, and want to believe that they can trust them to find the correct solution.

It's really a little known perfect storm.

Petition to FDA

2010-05-10T12:33:00.001-07:00

There is now a petition to get the FDA to include corn in its allergy labeling requirements.

Per her post on Delphi - Avoiding Corn Forum:

"Would you like to see Corn be included in the FALCPA? Now is your chance to speak up!

Please sign this petition, Tweet on Twitter, Share on Facebook, blog, whatever you like. Just please help spread the word!

The petition will expire in 3 months, and I set the goal at 10,000 signatures. Let's get those signatures!"

Please click here to sign the petition!

SXSW From A Corny Perspective

2010-03-19T23:20:00.001-07:00

If you're thinking of attending SXSW at any time, you may want to read this.

I went to SXSW Interactive Conference 2010. It was fun and exciting and exhausting. I wasn't the only one exhausted, but I'm relatively sure I was in small company if not alone in attempting this with a semi-severe corn allergy.

I went through some AAT treatments about a year ago for my corn allergy (and others) but the treatment didn't stick long term and I've recently been becoming more and more sensitive, and I assume I'll be back to my old severe sensitivity in a month or two.

SXSWi lasted five days. Each day brought new surprises and new depths of tired. The first couple days seemed ok as there wasn't a whole lot of corny fumes, but by day 3 the Film Festival was solidly underway and popcorn was everywhere... or at least it seemed that way.

Most of the lecture rooms were safe from popcorn, unless you were unfortunate to sit near someone who brought in popcorn from one of the film venues. This happened to me a couple times. But the main hallways in the Austin Convention Center, and the Trade Show were filled with popcorn fumes.

The main problem was finding safe foods and beverages. I brought my own from home and it turned out all the free stuff was corny. Most of the bottled water available was also unsafe with added minerals. Since I live in Austin, I managed to bring my own water, which meant more trips to the car for refills as if there wasn't enough walking for SXSW.

Even with all my precautions, by day 4 I was allergy-sick. My lungs were full of phlegm, my sinuses clogged, my throat scratchy, and my skin felt like it was swollen and a bit on fire. It hurt to move my fingers. I ended up taking some prednisone to make it through the day. Even with that, by the time I went to bed at night my skin itched like I'd been bitten by a million mosquitoes.

On day 5 though, I got smart and managed to avoid walking by the popcorn machines themselves. I walked from one end of the Convention Center to the other, with only about 10 feet of obvious corn fumes. This required taking two escalators up to level 4, walk across 1/3 distance of the Convention Center, an elevator down to level 3, walking the rest of the way across the Convention Center, then an escalator back down to level 1 on the other side of the Convention Center. To return, I had to reverse this process. It was not a quick process, but it did help immensely lower my exposure to the popcorn fumes.

Most of the parties at night had free booze, if you could drink corny stuff. But the atmosphere was relatively corn-free, as Austin is a smoke-free bar scene. I should also mention that the films held at the Alamo venues in town should be relatively corn-free as well, as long as no one orders it near you. (There is usually no pervasive popcorn fumes at any Alamo as there is no candy counter but merely wait staff that bring your orders to you - like a restaurant)

All in all it was a good time, but not something for the faint of heart or ultra-sensitive corn allergic. I don't know how I'd have coped if I didn't live here and had to stay in a hotel.

So if you're thinking about checking out SXSW 2011, do make sure you take precautions and have an epipen handy.

Where's the Corn in SNOW?

2009-12-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

Snow. That lovely, fluffy white wonderland we awaken to on Christmas Morning (And ideally it's otherwise relegated to ski slopes.)

Unfortunately, while the stuff you shovel off the driveway and scrape from the windshield poses little more than a nuisance to those avoiding corn, the slopes are considerably more ominous.

You see, most resorts operate for the sake of tourists. And people can't make advanced plans around finnicky weather. In order to keep their slopes ideal, many places are required to supplement natural snow fall with artificial snow. This doesn't appear to be a problem at first glance, for snow is, after all, simply frozen water. The trouble falls in the fact that in order to create a soft snow flake instead of a painful block of hail, one needs a nucleating agent. Originally, they isolated a bacteria (Ironically discovered growing on a corn stalk) which would work. But there are questions of the safety of using a bacteria, however benign, on snow meant to be utilized heavily by humans.

So they kept searching. Silica can be used, but they find it hard on the machinery, since it is abrasive. (Silica is essentially medical grade sand.)

Finally they found the answer. Corn. That miracle crop not only feeds the nation, fattens the cattle, and keeps our pills from falling apart, it also can be used to create a lovely lacey snowflake. At least in the form of microcrystalline cellulose.

And those in warmer climates aren't necessarily safe from the dangers of corny artificial snow. Those lovely winter wonderlands are often created with corny soap flakes. Plastic snow has gone green, so that it can last years indoors or degrade quickly in the landfill. Either way, it spells trouble for the uncorny who comes in contact with it.

So watch out for snow. If you plan on skiing or toboganning, or otherwise heading out to a snow-centric resort, find out if they seed the snow and if so...what their nucleating agent is. (And don't let them look at you with a glazed over smile, keep asking until you get a straight answer.)

Let's just hope it stays out of the water supply.

New Food Allergen Tests

2009-09-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

I was reading my email, and saw this article and just had to post it.

Food Quality News just posted an article about new food allergen tests for testing foods for allergens.

According to the article: "Food processors could soon be able to detect minute traces of food allergens in their products on site and within minutes, thanks to a new test system under development in Germany."

It does not say that corn/maize is one of the allergens in this, but I am hoping that this new testing would also improve their awareness.

365 Brand Frozen products

2009-09-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Just a warning to those of you who, like myself, love to indulge in quick fix, easily prepared frozen veggies. (Hey, when you can't make reservations or call for take out, at least you can drop some pre-cut veggie blend into your pasta pot and call it a five minute meal.)

After reported reactions to the previously safe 365 brand frozen vegetables (Just veggies, no sauce and no corn included in the listed ingredients) a member of Delphi did a bit of sleuthing.
She discovered that the packaging has now changed, and the ingredients now include potential corn-taminated salt.

So be cautious. And contact the company.
We'll keep you updated on any future details.

So Just Where IS the Corn?

2009-06-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, corn slips through the cracks of our glass bubbles and into our diets. And despite our best detective work, we're hard put to track down just where that corn slipped in.

Did the ingredients of some normal dietary staple change? A new supplier for the cereal grain? Did our vitamin supplier switch the source of something? Was it that whiff of popcorn that we raced past at the mall? Did we remember to scrutinize each new package for the dreaded words "New and improved"? (Which most of us by now have learned means "Now fortified with CORN")

Of course, when the inevitable "corning" occurs, it's important to scrutinize labels and contact suspect companies. After determining that the spices are safe, no ingredients now come with their own "hypoallergenic" corny contents, and that there just isn't any noticable change in the ingredient lists, it's time to think outside the box.

Like the Corn Growers. Who stepped outside the box, looked at it and said "Ah, ha!"

Sometimes, it's possible for corn to be in the package itself. In fact, with the increasing awareness of environmental responsibility and a strong consumer desire for "green" packaging, plastic derived from corn starches is becoming a very popular choice for producers.

NatureWorks has been hard at work developing disposable food packaging that is "safe" for the environment. Basically, corn sugars are isolated and fermented to create a durable, but compostable, plastic resin that can be used for anything from deli trays to coffee cups. It can be heat sealed, and withstand significant temerature changes. And, of course, it's made from everyone's favorite hypo-allergenic (not) corn.

Whether these new packages are really a problem for corn allergic individuals will remain a mystery to the medical industry until studies, good studies, are done. And unfortunately, since funding for studies that will help to understand and define corn allergies and reactions in general is lacking, my hopes aren't especially high. The benefits of environmentally friendly, renewable resources sound very tempting. Except that I, personally, am acquainted with the threats that lie within the supply.

So watch out...and then next time that you get "corned" from mysterious sources, check the water bottle, the meat tray, the cheese wrap and the produce baskets. For us, that enviro-friendly decal is about as friendly as a Jolly Roger flag.

Where's the Corn in Flour?

2009-05-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's no news to people with gluten sensitivity; that white flour was crushed from the wheat plant not from the stalk of the mysterious "white". (Regardless of puzzled wait staff's insistence to the contrary)
But if it comes from wheat, not corn, then where, exactly, is the corn?

The corn can come from a couple of places. For one, when you're dealing with grains and milling equipment, there is a high risk of cross contamination. If you've ever turned on a mixer too early, you know how easily flour gets airborne. Those particles can settle anywhere and everywhere, and they are hard to completely eradicate. Cornstarch is the same way, and if the milling equipment is used to process corn; well, there's bound to be a bit of cornstarch in your flour regardless of what the label reads.

Another distinct possibility falls under the heading of "enriched". The goal of the FDA was to make sure that when they stripped away all of the nutrition found in the hull of the wheat (you know, the "whole" in whole wheat, the part that makes it chewy.) they put some back. I've heard it described as cashing in a dollar for a shiny quarter. Sure, it's shiny and fits nicely into the newspaper stand. But, it's only a quarter.

Anyways...Those vitamins that replenish some of the lost nutrients have to come from somewhere. And some of them are derived from corn. They also need to have someway of being transferred from point A to point B and nicely measured out into the flour. For many vitamins, the best carrier seems to be with corn derivatives such as dextrose and corn starch.

So, when you see the words "enriched" be aware: Those aren't just vitamins. They're corn in disguise!

Endocrine disruptors

2009-04-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Corn is a known endocrine disruptor, and the effects on humans who ingest as much corn as the normal American citizen ingests are chiefly unknown.

However, recently the EPA has decided to evaluate the endocrine disrupting properties of the chemicals found in commonly used pesticides (many of which are also used on corn...to the detriment of the aquatic wildlife nearby). Here's hoping that studies on corn and it's potential effect on humans, through allergy or hormonal disruption, is next!

Where's the Corn in Vanilla?

2009-03-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

So you've gone corn free. Ditched the cornstarch laden powdered sugar, the cornstarch laced baking powder, replaced your spices (ever used the same spoon to scoop out baking powder and cinnamon? Thought so.) and of course, cleansed the cupboard from those corny store-bought goodies.

Now, it's time to bake. You've got your corn free butter, free range eggs, and pure cane (or beet) sugar. You reach for the trusty bottle of vanilla extract...There's no corn in there, at least, right?

Think again. Virtually all store bought bottles of vanilla extract are extracted in none other than your basic, run of the mill corn based alcohol. The alcohol brings out the most in that aromatic vanilla bean, and makes it keep longer, too. Coming from corn based alcohol makes it gluten free (as well as using up more of that excess gold crop we subsidize here in America)

Many also are sweetened lightly with corn syrup. Yes, really. Read the ingredients next time you're shopping, and then set the bottle gently back on the shelf with a sigh. This means that even if you are okay with small exposures to corn based alcohol, you should still skip ingredient lists that read simply "vanilla". Don't forget that vanilla, as a flavoring in store bought goods, can also be found as a powder...and that is very likely to contain maltodextrin or corn starch.

Don't panic! All is not lost. At Passover time, there are often kosher-for-Passover vanilla extracts that are safe for us uncornies as well. (Those who keep kosher for religious reasons appreciate it when we actually place an order at the grocer for our needs, rather than simply clearing the shelfs, so keep that in mind if you plan to stock up. Most store managers will be more than happy to help you, and some will even offer a discount on bulk purchases.)

If kosher passover is not an option for you, purchase a small bottle of potato vodka or Circo grape vodka. Both are corn free, derived from corn free sources.

Place a plain old vanilla bean into the bottle and leave in a dark area for a few months. The vanilla flavor will grow stronger the longer it sits.

Alternatively, you could actually use the vanilla bean or simply steep your sugar in it for a more delicate flavor.

Vanilla beans are expensive, and if you just don't want to make the added expenditure or you don't have time to wait, using brown sugar (pure cane or beet) and skipping the vanilla will still produce a delicious dessert product. Adding chocolate chips never hurts either...as long as they're corn free, that is.

Where's the Corn in TOYS?

2009-02-25T09:05:00.000-08:00

Toys. The symbols of an innocent, carefree childhood. America is up in arms about the hidden dangers of lead and melamine in products for young children, but we don't think twice about the sinister dangers lurking beneath the words "All Natural".

Nature is safe. For most folks.

There is an exception, though. As we keep pointing out, for those with allergies, nothing is sacred. Toys and other playthings are no exception.

Things to watch out for:
"Scented"--Many of us uncornies react to scents. Perhaps its the corn based ethanol, or maybe it's something else. Baby powder odors most certainly are applied with a liberal dose of cornstarch. Whatever the cause, scented baby dolls, play food kits, and other tantalizing playthings should send up large red flags.

"All natural, eco-friendly and/or Green"--as in all other areas, these words are more commonly found in unison with corn. Corn is cheap, readily available, and they need to get rid of it somehow. Alright, alright, it does have that nasty habit of actually decomposing quickly in a landfill which I suppose makes it technically eco-friendly, at least in some regards. Corn can be used to make cloth and stuffing for soft rag dolls and plushies; plastic polymers (think plastic tea sets)

Modeling compounds: Corn starch has great chemical properties for things like putty and play-dough. It's also non-toxic (when you aren't allergic to it) and the FDA claims it's hypoallergenic. Currently, FAAN seems to agree. Which makes it an appealing option to most child-friendly art suppliers.

Art supplies: As stated above, as a food product, corn based ingredients appeal to most companies that cater to kids. They feel it's a low allergy risk, and non toxic compared to most petroleum options. Besides, most parents reach for the label proclaiming "All natural!" It simply sells better.

Rattles and Beanbags: Corn kernels make a delightful rattling sound. They also settle well in the hand, and are slightly lighter and cheaper than dried beans. And, they can be used as soothing ice or hot packs. Corn kernels will eventually break down and the dust could, potentially, be problematic.

Cardboard: There are some playhuts and kitchen sets that include cardboard or are entirely designed of cardboard. Be aware that many corrugated cardboards are made with corn material. The dusty sensation many people experience when handling cardboard is corn starch, and when airborne (especially that thick) it can get accidentally ingested, causing GI reactions even for allergy sufferers who aren't contact sensitive.

Soft, malleable vinyl or plastic: these products, like the clothing for certain small pocket-sized dolls, can be coated with corn oil or starch to keep it from cracking. In fact, the manufacturers recommend regular dusting with baby powder or cornstarch. I'm not sure at this time if all toys can be cleaned of the residue, but many manufacturers will send out a coupon or rain check in return for merchandise that makes someone ill (You will probably need to return the product, with or without packaging; at their expense). So, if you react call the company and return the product. It lets them know there's a problem, and lets you get something safer for your household.

Anything meant to be blown up usually has a light dusting of cornstarch on the inside to keep it from attaching to itself; so don't use lung power to inflate balloons, swim rings or beach balls. A thorough rinsing of the outside, in theory, will remove corn starch residue.

Stuffed animals and other cloth: Corn is increasingly popular as an eco-friendly fiber. Watch out for corn stuffing, and soft corn fabric animals and dolls. The upside is, most manufacturers are proud of the corn-derived status. Popular names for corn fiber are amaizing wool (mostly used for mattresses and bedding for the time being) and Ingeo.

Where's the Corn in Clothing?

2009-02-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

When you're dealing with a corn allergy, you're always on guard. It's there, everything that is packaged is carefully scrutinized for those tell tale words that mean "corn". And then, when the ingredient list passes the first scrutinization; you double check the packaging and call the company to verify that the ingredients of each ingredient is, indeed, safe for you to consume.

But sometimes, corn still sneaks up and bites you.

One of the most innocent seeming things is fabric. You wear it. You sleep on it. You wrap yourself up in it on a cold day. And shopping can be a fun, food free venture for the teenager in all of us.

Trying on clothes. Its as easy as pie. Easier, if you have a normal body style and like the current fashions.

Where could the harm come?

Unfortunately, as the corn growers association stretches the limit of their imaginations; and environmentalists stretch the limits of their imaginations, and anthropologists study the buying trends of the general public (We want sustainable goods! From new, natural, renewable resources!) corn finds its way into increasingly unexpected places.

Before trying on that dashing new blouse or flirty black dress, check the label. 100% cotton, or bamboo, or acrylic or even spandex might be okay. But if that label reads Ingeo, Natureworks PLA (From Cargill-Dow), Sorona or even simply "Corn Fibre"; buyer beware of even trying it on. Watch out for company issued uniform shirts too.

The main controversy against fitting humans out as corn husk dolls? The corn used to make many of these fabrics is genetically engineered. While that is a problem in and of itself, I'd like to know more about the potential for allergic reaction. As corn is considered hypoallergenic by many standards, and is an "all natural" fiber (as a native crop to the Americas) the labels are deceptively misleading. And how long does it really take to track down a mild rash? Or simple itching and discomfort? In our society we've learned to tune out our own instincts. Just look how long we used polyester. It's still in use, we just tend to blend it with breathable cotton for comfort sake.

Corn fabric is also being integrated into carpets, upholstery, mattresses, bedding, towels, and yarn.

And even if your fabric is certified, 100% cotton (and organic to boot); there's still the danger that it was washed in corn-laden laundry detergent. Read the ingredients of Seventh Generation or Natureclean to see corn proudly listed as a source ingredient on the label. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Corn is a better option for the environment than petroleum based chemicals that won't biodegrade into our soil. However...its still a safety issue for those of us who have allergic reactions to even minute amounts of the golden crop.

Clothes on store shelves may also be sprayed with anti-wrinkle agents, whose main ingredient is...you'll never guess...Yup, that's right...cornstarch. There are rumors from employees that similar measures are taken at second hand stores, clothing that looks more presentable is simply more salable. Luckily, a thorough washing should dissolve any corn-y residue...its just that anyone who is contact sensitive needs to beware.

2009-02-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Valentines and chocolate simply go hand in hand, at least once you hit somewhere between teenage and twenty-something. Men bring candy to their beloved on this sacred Hallmark holiday. It's written in stone. If they don't...well; then there must be something wrong.

And for many of us, there is. It's called...allergies. There are sites advertising Nut free chocolate. Vegan chocolate. Gluten free chocolate. But corn? What would those cream-colored kernels be doing dipped in chocolate?

A lot, actually. If you know anything about corn allergies, you already know that it masquerades under a myriad of names. It sneaks into packaging, as a "processing agent" and falls through the labeling cracks as an ingredient of an ingredient.

Nevertheless...it's valentines, and we want chocolate!

There is hope. Most of those beautiful red foil-wrapped heart-shaped boxes are off limits. Sorry, but an evening of cramps and nausea, or a migraine, or even a slow to develop itchy rash are not nearly as ubiquitous with "romance" as creamy, cocoay, chocolate. And if you love a corn-allergic person; handing them poison is just plain mean. Which means, you're not going to get away with last minute V-day shopping.

First; there's a matter of research. If you already have a safe brand...well; you're home free. If you're open to experimentation look into: Rapunzel chocolate drops (the milk chocolate bar has reported reactions); Dagoba (only bars without vanilla listed); Lindt dark (read labels, as usual, and it isn't gluten free); Equal Exchange (correspondence with the company indicates it should be safe, but as usual...read labels and proceed with caution) and Theo Brand Chocolate (again, the company indicated it's ingredients should be safe, but sometimes things fall through the cracks.)

Enjoy Life chocolate chips are also corn free; and go great in little heart shaped cookies or muffin tops. :-)

If you're Valentines shopping for someone else, you might also consider thinking outside the (heart shaped) box.
A lovely rose, or small bouquet of flowers will make the non-pollen allergy woman smile (Try some handmade origami blossoms for the woman with seasonal allergies).
Adopt a wild animal. Both National Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife offer unique adoption packages sure to please your Valentine. (and the money goes to a good cause, too.)
Music. Who doesn't love music? A special mix of "your" songs, or an ipod playlist of meaningful music shows that you care enough to put some effort into it. (Just make sure you do put some effort into it.)
A book. If you know you're beloved's taste in literature, all the better. Chick lit fans may love Nicholas Sparks, Fantasy followers will faun over Twilight; and classic connoisseurs will delight in rediscovering Bronte or Jane Austen.
A movie. Hold the popcorn, please. Nothing says "I love you" like snuggling up with a good movie and good company. Need inspiration? Just ask Amazon!
As far as lingerie goes...just make sure that you're buying 100% cotton or bamboo; and that the fabric isn't one of those great new eco-friendly CORN contrived fabrics.

When Corn Free isn't enough

2009-01-31T11:42:00.000-08:00

When you discover a corn allergy, it feels like a whole new world opens up. It also feels like one is closing.

Hopefully, once you get all sources of corn eradicated from your diet (and your laundry...and your bathroom...) you'll feel "normal" again. But some people have lingering issues, and they can't pin them to corn itself (although, they have verified without a doubt that corn is a significant issue and well worth the hassle of avoiding).

When this happens, they may feel hopeless or overwhelmed. Cutting corn from the diet is a huge undertaking, and to try and track down a new allergen on top of it is just overwhelming. Doctors don't always give a lot of guidance other than "Don't worry, it's not going to kill you." *Big grin. Pause for effect. Disappointment at lack of applause.*

So where else can you turn when your symptoms linger? Here are a few ideas:

First, talk to your doctor. Although they are often brushed off, sometimes abdominal discomfort, rashes, etc can be indications of a condition other than allergy/intolerance. Your doctor can help you determine whether you need some other treatment. If you get a clean bill of health, talk to an allergist. They can run a traditional RAST blood test and/or a Skin Prick Test.
If you've given up on Western medecine entirely, look for a good Chiropracter, naturopath or Holistic practitioner. Although not often covered by insurance, they look at the whole body, and recognize that even if they aren't life threatening; symptoms can be debillitating to your quality of life.
Ask about Gluten and Celiac Disease. Don't give it up entirely on a "trial run" without a full Celiac Panel (More to come) But it's something to look into.
Get IgG testing. If your doctor doesn't know where to order it, try Alletess, Optimum Health labs, or LEAP. There is a high "false positive" rate and IgG antibodies are not associated with anaphylaxis, so most doctors don't bother with them. But if you are symptomatic, it's worth using the results to guide an elimination diet.
Consider Enterolab testing. They run stool tests for antibodies to a small variety of common irritants (gluten, dairy, egg, yeast) although they do not diagnose Celiac disease. Opponents say their "positive" rate is too high, but their clintele consists solely of patients who already are high risk for celiac/gluten sensitivity...so it isn't going to be a standard curve.
Do an elimination diet; and keep a food diary. The food diary is indispensible when playing food detective.
Consider related dietary protocols such as the Yeast Free Diet (there are several versions); the Feingold Diet; The Specific Carb Diet or the Paleo Diet. Each works for some individuals, and not for others. The best thing you can do for yourself is simply to educate yourself before trying what sounds best for YOU.

Where's the Corn in Salad?

2009-01-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

For those new to corn allergy and intolerance, salad seems like an innocuous choice. They assume that if they must eat out, a nice chef’s salad without the dressing or the croutons will meet their needs for safe food and social propriety.

And then they react.

Salads look very safe. They consist of greens, maybe tomatoes or carrots or olives. Sometimes there are eggs, or nuts, or seeds. Occassionally you can see bright yellow corn kernels or lovely steamed baby corn; but those are visible and easy to avoid. (If you have an allergy to corn, don’t even bother picking it out of your meal. There will be residual particles that aren’t safe.)

Many restaurants rely upon bagged salad mixes to help speed up their production process. Open the bag, add a few key elements, you have an instant mixed salad. Even if they rinse it first, it’s still bagged pre-washed salad. And that’s where the trouble comes in.

Most pre-washes include more than simple water. They have a bit, just a bit, of citric acid. This helps to sterilize any germs that might have come into contact with the greens on the field or in transit, and also helps to prevent discoloration of trimmed leaves. Since the E. Coli outbreak of a few years ago, more bagged salad companies seem to be using the triple wash approach…chlorine, citric acid, water. Leaves are then spun dry in gigantic salad spinners.

Nothing in the prewash is dangerous to the public in general. But the traces of citric acid that do remain may cause trouble for those with corn or citric acid intolerances. (Citric acid is often derived from corn.) Although citric acid does not contain corn proteins, many individuals with a diagnosis of “corn allergy” report reactions. This may be because corn reactions do not seem to react in the same way that reactions to the better known foods (such as peanuts) do.

It’s also worth noting that there are some reports of citric acid being used on ice; which is used to keep produce cold in stores. And that there is an increasing popularity of “earth-friendly” packaging…which is a fancy term for “plastic made from corn”. Whether or not these packages will pose a danger to you, a corn allergic individual, is debatable and will depend on whether the bag has had a chance to begin decomposing and how sensitive you are. Of course, the only way to know for sure is to try it. And for many of us, that’s the equivalent of playing russian roulette.

So how to enjoy salad again?

Look for the dirt. The safest greens are ones that are fresh from the farm, with dirt still clinging to their leaves. Bring them home, rinse them in your own bowl full of vinegar and water, rinse thoroughly and dry. It’s not as convenient as the bag, but being sick isn’t very convenient either. If your store doesn’t seem to carry safe greens, look up local farmer’s markets.

Getting Medications Compounded

2008-10-06T19:22:00.001-07:00

Since most medications contain corn derivatives, most of us with sensitive corn allergies have had to resort to getting medications compounded special for us. Medications as simple as Benadryl, Tylenol, Sudafed, Ibuprophen.. to complicated medications to aid or cure certain conditions or diseases. We often find that we need to have them made from scratch especially formulated for our allergy concerns.

Even if the medication you want is generally OTC (like Benadryl or Tylenol), you will still need to have a doctor's prescription to get it filled at a compounding pharmacy.

Some doctors aren't willing to do this, and will try to tell you that "a little bit of corn starch won't hurt you". But it can, and most likely will. If your doctor is one of these, please find a new doctor. Nothing is more dangerous than a doctor who does not take your extremely valid, potentially deadly condition seriously.

Getting a medication compounded, even once you find a willing doctor, can be a little tricky.

Each compounding pharmacy is a little different. Some pharmacies will do compounding, but their compounding experience is merely crushing up the pills to mix together into a salve, or crushing up an adult dose medication into one suitable for a child. These pharmacies are NOT where you want to have your prescription filled.

What you're looking for is a pharmacy that primarily does compounding. To locate a potential pharmacy for this please visit International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists and search for a pharmacy near you under the "For Patients" button on the side. This will give you a good place to start.

Once you've found a potential compounding pharmacy, you're going to want to ask them some questions before you get anything filled there. You'll want to talk to an actual pharmacist or the person who will actually be making your medications, so be sure to call ahead or visit during a slow time (usually mid-morning, mid-afternoon, or late night) to make sure they can give you their full attention. Bring with you a copy of the Corn Allergen List and what medications you'd like to have compounded.

Not every medication is able to be compounded corn-free. Newer medications still under their original patents (aka those new meds on commercials) will not be able to be compounded corn-free. However, there are quite a few medications that can be compounded corn-free.

When talking to your potential new pharmacist, do make sure to ask if they compound medications from the pure powders and not from crushed pills. Be careful to explain to them that you cannot take the premade pills, and would need them to obtain a pure powder that does not contain any corn derivatives (this is where the list comes in handy).

Once you've gotten this far, and they're willing and able to get the pure powders to formulate your medications for you, you'll need to inquire about fillers. Fillers are what is mixed with the pure medication in order to get it in a dosable form. IE: taking a nano-gram speck of a medication is not sensible for you, or them. So they mix the medication (dilute) with fillers to make it easier to measure and dose.

You can get medications compounded into liquid form, or put into capsules. Both have some risk of containing corn, but capsules are a little easier to get corn-free than liquid.

With liquid medications, pharmacists will want to add flavorings and sweeteners to make it tolerable to swallow. Most of the flavorings or sweeteners will contain some form of corn. Some mothers have reported being able to get the liquid unflavored and unsweetened, and mix a dose at home with a homemade sugar syrup or in applesauce. Do keep in mind that liquid is not always very portable, and usually needs to be kept refrigerated. It also tends to expire quicker.

Capsules are easier, and the filler is generally just a simple powder. You will need to double check the source of the capsule to make sure it isn't corny. Most pharmacists will work with you on this, as well as with the filler. Lactose and corn starch are the two they generally work with, but most will allow you to bring in a safe starch for use with your pills (tapioca, potato, arrowroot, etc). Compounded capsules usually expire 6-12 months from date of fill, and are easily portable - just like any other pill. Some mothers get medications this way, open the capsule into a safe applesauce or similar to give to children.

Talk to the pharmacist about these options, and decide which way you'd like to go, and the risks of each. Make sure to ask about the ingredients and investigate each and every filler they may want to use. Write down for future reference what they can and cannot use with your scripts as you may need to give them a copy of this information with each fill. A good pharmacy will keep this info on record, but you can never be too careful.

Compounding medications also costs quite a bit more. It can be quite time consuming for pharmacists and their staff to make each pill (often by hand), so there are reasons for its price. Though for most of us who have experienced compounded vs corny pills, the compounded ones are priceless. :)

Costs of compounding are different for each pharmacy you use. I've heard of compounding costing from $1-$3 per pill. Some pharmacies give you a price break for quantity, in which the more pills you get per fill, the less cost per pill it is. You'll want to discuss this with the pharmacist as well.

Most insurances do not cover compounded medications. So make sure to call your insurance and find out what their coverage is. Some compounding pharmacies will submit your claims for you, some will not. You may have to manually submit your claims yourself. Most insurances that do cover compounded medications will only cover it at the highest cost copay on your plan.

Once you've figured out where you can get your medications, and which medications you can obtain through compounding.. It's time to get your scripts written.

Many doctors, even if they're willing, don't have a clue on how to write a compounded prescription. Most compounding pharmacies are used to this and will call the doctor with any info they need or if they have a question. But the following are the "usual" on what needs to be said in a compounded script:

Drug Name: avoid brand names. Doctor should write diphenhydramine not Benadryl, or acetaminophen not Tylenol. It may be allowable to write "Generic Benadryl" or the equivalent in some states.

Strength: milligrams or grams needed.

Dosage: How many and how often to take them.

Quantity: How much to give you.

For example: Diphenhydramine 25mg, 1-2 every 6 hours as needed. quantity: 60 25mg capsules.

It's best to have your doctor add (especially if the pharmacy you're working with is in any way belligerent) "Formulate corn-free" or "Corn-free" on the script. This will give you a little more leverage with the pharmacy, and some pharmacies may require this wording - so ask the pharmacy before you get the script.

Once all this is done, you'll need to double check when you drop off the script or remind them of your previous discussions and what is safe for you. When you come back to pick up the prescription, you'll need to also double check on what was used in your medication. As you and your compounded pharmacy get better acquainted through future fillings, you may not have to be quite so rigorous in double checking everything, but its worth it to be extra careful.

King Corn: Movie Review

2007-11-12T23:57:00.000-08:00

I finally got to see the movie, King Corn, on Sunday. It was interesting and had a fair amount of humor. It definitely wasn't boring.

It also wasn't as hard hitting as I expected, nor did it get into all the different derivatives that are made from corn.

It was a rather cursory overview of corn farming and where that corn goes, which I'm certain is quite eye opening to many people across the nation who aren't very in touch with America's corporate farming roots. It also touched on heath issues caused by overindulging in corn, both for humans and animals.

Since I've been researching corn, corn syrup, subsidies, etc for quite a while now, most of the movie was pretty elementary for me.

The one thing I did find educational and highly amusing was the portion of the movie focused on Ian and Curt's attempt to make corn syrup in their kitchen. (Since they couldn't get a film tour of a corn syrup refinery.) Anyone who thinks that corn syrup is "natural" really needs to see that part of the movie. I'm not exactly sure what was added to the corn to make syrup, and maybe Curt and Ian can give us the recipe? A couple of the ingredients they added looked like poison, and the directions for making it were very long and involved. Not exactly what I'd consider "natural".

This movie is still a "must-see" in my book, and something that I plan to buy if it comes out on DVD. I will probably buy several copies and give them out as Christmas gifts. That way my friends and family can have visual proof of the things I've been trying to say for years now. :)

Change isn't going to happen overnight, but with books, movies, and public demand, maybe we can get the ball rolling a little faster.

King Corn Movie

2007-11-06T23:37:00.000-08:00

King Corn is coming to a theatre near you (hopefully) so look for it. If its not coming to a theatre near you, pester your local cinema to get it.

I haven't seen the film yet, but it's really bringing a lot of education to the world (USA at least) about the overuse of corn in our diets. So that has to be good news for us!

The makers of King Corn are also doing a "Corn-Free Challenge" for the month of November, which I would encourage everyone to signup. Most of us already do it, or at least mostly (there are a few that still eat corn-fed meats), so lets make this challenge the biggest they've seen.

Hidden Citric Acid

2007-11-04T22:37:00.000-08:00

I doubt this is what Apac Chemical Corporation intended as the usefulness of its product information on Citric Acid, but nevertheless product guides like these are extremely important to us trying to avoid hidden corn.

Listed below are a few of the notable mentions for uses for citric acid of which people might not be aware:

Water Softener Salts: Both Home and Commercial water softener salts contain citric acid. (if you have a water softener, you may want to stop drinking the water straight from the tap, and invest in a filtration system)

Cigarettes: Citric acid controls the burn rate of the paper so it doesn't burn faster than the tobacco. Its also used on the tobacco to "balance the flavors".

Canola Oil: Many corn allergics have repeatedly reported problems with Canola oil. Well this article lists Canola Oil specifically as containing citric acid. Its used as a de-gumming agent.

Seafood: Citric acid keeps it smelling fresh.

Problematic Eggs

2007-10-30T23:42:00.000-07:00

Eggs are eggs right? I mean you can't really mess up an egg can you?

Unfortunately I'm learning that indeed you can.

Egg shells are porous and as such if you're not 100% careful in handling them, you can poison yourself or affect the flavor of an egg by subjecting the egg to substances you shouldn't.

Ok.. where am I going with this? Eggs can be contaminated, as many of us have already figured out through trial and error; however, pinning down the source of that contamination can be rather difficult as there are many factors to consider.

Is it diet?

Most eggs that we use everyday are from chickens. Chickens which are fed a diet of corn with added things, such as arsenic (parasite control), and coloring agents (makes the egg yolks pretty). Xanthophylls are a source of coloring agents for yolks, which are now being extracted from corn gluten to add to chicken feed. Each of these things plays a part in the manufacture and growth of eggs, and can leave trace amounts in the eggs.

Or is it processing?

Eggs are washed before you get them (if you want to see pictures on why click here or here). Most commercial washes for eggs include a detergent as well as a sanitizing agent. Unscented detergents are used as scented ones can alter the flavor of the egg. Which means most likely some of that detergent is sticking around.

Also if there is a mishap in the temperatures as the eggs are being washed, the inner part of the egg may get cooler and cause a "vacuum" effect on the shell causing whatever is outside the shell to be sucked inside the shell. Producers of eggs are pretty vigilant about making certain this doesn't happen as this can cause bacteria from the outside of the shell to be sucked inward and cause rotten eggs.

However, since eggs are washed in hot water (so they don't create a vacuum effect during washing) they will cool later causing a mild vacuum effect later. So if the detergent and sanitizer aren't washed off correctly, some of those may end up in your egg. The amount of which is so small that its probably completely harmless unless you're eating an extraordinary amount of eggs. However, if you're highly allergic to the detergent or sanitizer, you may run into issues.

Also according to the USDA , "the natural coating on just-laid eggs that helps prevent bacteria from permeating the shell, is removed by the washing process and is replaced by a light coating of edible mineral oil which restores protection." This process is done commercially as well as by small farmers, so if you buy locally you may want to inquire what (if any) oil is used. The oil can be mineral oil or miscellaneous vegetable oil which in some cases may be corn.

Several corn allergic persons have run into problems with certain eggs but not others. At the moment, we're unsure of exactly where the problem lies. Feed or Processing?

As a side note, washing your eggs at home to remove any "corn" that may be on the outside isn't advised. Your chances of making things worse is a high probability.

Warning and Action Item: Nutraceutical Corp.

2007-08-14T01:05:00.000-07:00

Warning: Even though it is labeled as suitable for corn-sensitive individuals, all ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) products by Nutraceutical Corp may be grown on corn-derived glucose.

I recently purchased a bottle of Solaray Vitamin C powder. The label read,

"Ideal for most FOOD SENSITIVE Individuals"

"This product is suitable for individuals who adversely react to the common sensitizing substances of yeast, milk, wheat, soy, corn, gluten, egg, sugar, salt, nuts, artificial colors or preservatives. SOLARAY GUARANTEES that NO ingredients other than those listed on this label have been added to this product."

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid). Other ingredients: None.

A reaction, however, indicated that the vitamin was not actually corn-free. This prompted me to contact the manufacturer, Neutraceutical Corp., to inquire about the derivation of this vitamin.

I was informed that their ascorbic acid is grown on glucose. They could not tell me what the glucose was derived from, saying that it could be from any source at all. As we all know, this means it is most likely corn-derived.

I asked if this included multivitamins, and they said yes, it would be all Neutraceutical products containing ascorbic acid.

Nutraceutical Corp makes supplements under many different brand names. According to their website at http://www.nutraceutical.com/ these include (but are not limited to) the following:

We sell products under the popular brand names Solaray®, KAL®, NaturalMax®, VegLife®, Premier One®, Sunny Green®, Natural Sport®, FunFresh Foods™, ActiPet®, Action Labs®, Thompson®. We also distribute some third-party branded products.

If you have reacted to any of these products, or if you know you react to ascorbic acid grown on corn-derived glucose, please contact the company and let them know. The company needs to know that it is not acceptable to label their products as being safe for those with corn sensitivities when they may contain corn-derived ingredients, and that these ingredients can and do cause reactions.

For questions and comments about products:
Phone: (800) 579-4665
Email: products@nutraceutical.com

Remember, our voices can make a difference in making labeling safer for all of us. It is very dangerous for companies to label products as corn-free when they may actually contain corn derivatives.

The trouble with eggs, et all

2007-06-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

Many corn allergy sufferers have reported trouble with eggs. Not just eggs in general, but certain eggs. Eggs from one farm are fine, eggs from another cause a corn reaction. It sounds insane. Many sufferers are hesitant to bring it up, because obviously it must be in our heads.

Eggs are a shelled food. As long as no shell cracks into the bowl (or pan) they should be safe. You can't really tamper with the ingredients, right?

Wrong.

Xanthophylls is a naturally occuring compound which imparts the sunny yellow color in egg yolk. Apparently, the quantity of xanthophylls changes with feed sources and the variation in availability can seriously impact the color of the poultry product. Never to fear, scientists everywhere have been busily working on a solution for years. And the solution is to isolate xanthophylls and add the isolated compound back to poultry feed.

Unfortunately, until relatively recently, this was an expensive and painstaking process. Luckily, while exploring the wonders of the magical maize plant, someone somewhere noticed that xanthophylls are isolated when they attempt to purify corn zein; xanthophylls is a wasted by product. Lightbulbs went on; dollar signs abounded...and the next thing you know, there is a patent on this process. Xanthophylls is now an affordable product. Its readily available for any farmer who wants to improve the aesthetic value of his products.

And...it isn't going to end up on any ingredient lists because, of course, it isn't an ingredient of your farm fresh eggs. It is simply a tool used to get them to look nicer, without tampering with the end product.

Xanthophyll is also known as Lutein. It is a naturally occuring substance in many plants, especially marigold petals, and a vital part of human plasma. However, as a supplement it can be derived from corn. It can be used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and animal feed.

Where's the Corn in medecine?

2007-06-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

Most individuals hear of a corn allergy, blink, imagine a big yellow ear of corn and think "Corn huh? Well, that's easy."

Unfortunately, there's more to Corn than the cob.

Corn is a government subsidized crop, farmers are paid to grow it and they grow it in excess. Since it is readily available, it has been turned into a number of useful substances; and these substance find their ways into a myriad of common products.

What your doctor may not know is that even the medecine he prescribes to treat allergy symptoms contains corn derivatives. To date, we have been unable to find a simple over the counter acetaminophen preperation that does not contain corn derivatives. There are limited cold or allergy preperations that may be safe.

Prescription medications are more difficult to find. OTC preperations contain a list of inactive ingredients. These ingredients are used to hold the preperation together in an easily measured dosage. Its important to be able to take the exact dosage that is right for you, and its not easy to measure teaspoons out by 5ths (or other odd measurements) so drugs are mixed with various non medical ingredients to make a tidy pill or liquid suspecsion. Prescription drugs are not required to list non medical, or inactive, ingredients.

Even pharmacists may not realize that these inactive ingredients pose a severe risk to food allergic individuals. From their perspective, inactive ingredients "don't count" because they do not affect the function of the active ingredient. However, they still get ingested and absorbed and can have a severe impact on the way you feel.

Common excipients, or medicinal "fillers" and "binders" that can be derived from corn include (but are not limited to) Alcohol, artificial flavoring, microcrystalline cellulose (and anything else with the word "cellulose"), citric acid, corn starch (or simply "starch" or "modified food starch"), dextrose, glucose, glycerine, lactate, maltose, mannitol, propylene glycol, saccharin, sorbitol, xanthan gum, zein. All ingredients should be double checked for the source.

If you are unable to obtain a safe OTC medicine, you can often have the formulation compounded. Just insist that the pharmacist work with you to verify the source of anything that will be used, including the capsules.

The real trouble comes with prescription medecines. A typical pharmacist will not have a full list of ingredients for all medecines handy. And, unfortunately, patents protect the formulation of many brand name drugs. Before accepting any medication (let alone taking it) it is imperative that an allergy sufferer insist on knowing the full list of ingredients, including non-medical or inactive ingredients and verify that the source for any suspicious ones is not corn (or any other sensitivity).

Food Free Fun

2007-05-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

As summer is fast approaching, so are summer plans. Barbeques, picnics, ice cream parties, and other glorious fun that is not so corn allergy friendly. (I don’t know about you, but anything that involves food; even remotely, sets my radar spinning and sends me running.) Although it is always possible to go to food centered events toting your own safe goodies, and have fun simply socializing, its also fun to plan a few outings or activities that don’t center around food.

Check your local library. Many city libraries have free programs for all ages. My daughters have enjoyed puppet shows, performing dogs, endangered wildlife, and a variety of other engaging presentations over the years. Many libraries also sponsor a reading program; where the incentive is a free paperback book at the end of summer. (a reward that a food allergic kid can actually keep!) To find out whats going on at your library; drop by and look for event postings (or ask the librarian) or google your own hometown + city library. You should be able to find their homepage.

Art classes: Many art and craft supply stores offer free or low priced project classes. (Please be aware that many also offer cake decorating classes, and if they are in the same room there may be food residue, a danger to those with anaphylactic allergies.) Michaels offers Saturday Kids Club projects on an ongoing basis. (Check with your local location if you need ingredient info on products used. Projects vary slightly by location, and you may be able to work with the class coordinator to get safe products for your child’s needs.)

Local Parks: Many now have small walking trails, or fitness paths for “grown ups”; and what child doesn’t want to check out a new play structure? Google your own hometown and parks recreation to find local parks and information about available facilities (most websites list basketball courts, swimming pools, playgrounds and restrooms etc.) We find the ideal times to explore are after breakfast, with hunger pains being our cue to go home for lunch, or after dinner, while the house is still cooling off and we have energy to burn before bed.

Local museums: Check out your local tourist bureau for information about local tourist attractions. Of course you’ll want to skip the chocolate factory tour; but there are often local attractions that us locals never hear about…or just don’t think about visiting, since we drive by the signs every single day. Sculpture exhibits at City Hall, a local history museum, or a toy train collection will be proudly advertised by the Chamber of Commerce and can be a surprisingly pleasant way to spend a few hours. Many museums offer free entry, at least on certain days (such as Free First Friday every month) so be sure to take advantage of those offers.

Local festivals: Art and wine festivals are full of wine and beer and delicacies that we can’t partake in; but they are also a fun way to see local artist’s work. It can be fun to just walk around and watch an air brusher at work, listen to a local band, or get a free 2 minute massage.

Hiking: Local hiking trails are a great way to stay in shape, and get back in touch with nature. Its also a great way to get together when you just can’t think beyond meeting for coffee (water for me, thanks) or lunch (er, just here for the company. That foccaccia sandwich with carmelized onion and feta cheese doesn’t look the least bit tempting. Really.) Bring plenty of water, and a map.

Miniature golf: There are many mini golf and arcade style areas available in most cities.

A fun, little known, activity is Letterboxing. Letterboxing is sort of like a treasure/scavenger hunt in your own town. Check a website such as http://www.atlasquest.com/ to find local letterbox sites. Bring an inkpad, a stamp, and a notebook. Inside a letterbox you'll find a booklet for you stamp with *your* stamp, and a stamp to imprint in your own notebook. Remember to hunt and hide the boxes with care, so that the box doesn’t get discovered or stolen. This is a great activity for kids and adults. Hints vary from step by step directions to ones that actually require a little research to track down the location. They can be hidden anywhere from inside a hollow library book to the bottom of a dry creek. You may want to “plant” your own boxes, too. (If you have a GPS unit, geochacheing is a similar activity, with cooler "prizes" hidden. But, letterboxing is cool enough for me.)

Indoor fun centers: There are an increasing number of indoor fun centers with climbing structures and arcade style games available. Most serve kid friendly, not allergy friendly food, but since kids will be mesmerized by flashing lights and catchy music, you have a good chance of getting away without eating. Even places like Chuck E Cheese have tokens available without food purchase. Your best bet at these play areas is to arrive and play early, when the equipment is at its cleanest. (and before someone else's kid gets around to dropping forbidden food in the ball pit.)

A Book Review

2007-05-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Although food allergies are difficult at any age, kids seem to be hit particularly hard. They're young, they're vulnerable. And they aren't in control of their own lives. (well, usually)

As a parent, I worry about how my kids deal with their food restrictions. How do I help them to feel more "normal"? How do I protect them from the insidious "snacks" everyone wants to share? How do I deal with the "but its important to try new things" argument? How do I protect them from a world that doesn't understand food allergies?

One way that I help prepare them is through reading. We've always helped them through difficult times by finding books that they can relate to. There are books about moving, books on starting kindergarten and books about new siblings. But food allergies? There just aren't that many books out there that deal with this troubling subject.

I'm happy to report that we have found a book that my kids, at least, can relate to. It is called Eating Gluten Free with Emily. We read this book to help them understand about Celiac Disease, which I have. But halfway through the first reading my daughter cried out "That's just like me!", referring to the way Emily feels about her food restrictions.

Celiac disease and food allergies are different; Celiac is an autoimmune response which causes intestinal damage when gluten containing foods such as wheat are consumed. A food allergy is an antibody response to foreign food proteins, with a variety of symptoms from rashes, to gastrointestinal to full blown anaphylaxis. However, they both are treated by avoiding the offending foods.

As a short synapsis, in this book, Emily is diagnosed with Celiac disease when she develops diarrhea and a bloated belly. Testing is done through a test she needs to sleep through (an endoscopy) and for her, it is a cut and dried diagnosis, which many of us don't actually get with corn allergies. She talks about what she can still eat, and that she can get other "normal" foods from the health food store. (Again, this is not often true for corn allergies...but we can make good simulations, so the analogy may work for corn allergic kids)

Although Eating Gluten Free with Emily is not specifically corn allergy related; it helps to bolster self esteem by showing that dietary restrictions are just a small part of who you are. They can make you feel different, and can be isolating. But, following your required diet makes you feel better. And, you can still live a full life.

In the end, Emily heads off to camp with a cooler full of safe food; where she meets another kid with Celiac disease. I'm not sure how likely it is for a child to meet another with a corn allergy, but its definately possible. And the message is clear, you are not alone. You can survive, and thrive. A message I need, myself, sometimes.

This and other books about food allergies may be available from your local library, or through Inter Library loan. See your local childrens librarian for more information.

Compounding Pharmacy at Risk

2007-04-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

The Health Freedom Foundation has posted a way for people to notify their legislators about concerns on the Safe Compounding Drug Act of 2007.

According to the Health Freedom Foundation, the Safe Compounding Drug Act of 2007 would give the FDA the power to:

"• Broadly eliminate the availability of many critical, commonly compounded medications that many patients rely on, such as bioidentical hormones for women, hospice care treatments for the terminally ill and customized medicines for children.

• Determine when compounded medicines are needed - a decision that has always been and should always be made by doctors.

• Restrict the compounded medications your doctor can prescribe even if he or she determines you need them."

Since most of us have had to resort to compounding even our everyday OTC medications, this piece of legislation could severely impact our ability to obtain safe medications.

Please take a moment to go to the Health Freedom Foundation website and send a letter with your story/concerns to your legislators.

Kitniyot-Free May Not Always Mean Corn-Free

2007-03-31T00:53:00.000-07:00

Many people with corn allergy or intolerance look forward to this time of year because of Passover. With the arrival of Kosher for Passover foods in grocery stores, our food options suddenly become broader, at least for a few weeks out of the year. Many products that are normally made with corn are suddenly available in corn-free versions.

But Passover doesn't mean we can throw caution to the wind and eat anything with a "Kosher for Passover" label. There are a couple of things a corn-avoider needs to know when it comes to Kosher for Passover certification.

First, not all certifying agencies are equal. Different agencies have different standards for what is or is not considered Kosher for Passover. Some Jews avoid kitniot (legumes and small grains that can be ground into flour and swell when wet, including corn) at Passover, and others don't. A product certified Kosher for Passover by an agency that allows kitnitot at Passover is no help at all from a corn-allergy standpoint.

Here are a couple of lists showing some of the different heschers, or marks, from certifying agencies that indicate a product has been produced under kosher supervision.

If a product is Kosher for Passover, the letter P will be added to the hescher (as in OU-P) or the words "Kosher for Passover" or "for Passover Use" or something like that will be on the label. Please note that Kosher Pareve is NOT the same thing as Kosher for Passover. Pareve simply means that an item contains neither meat nor dairy.

You will have to check regarding each certifying agency to find out whether they require that products be kitniot-free to be certified Kosher for Passover or not. The OU (Orthodox Union), OK (Organized Kashrus Laboratories), Star-K, The Kashruth Council of Canada (the hescher looks like a circle with COR inside) and the cRc are a few that certify only kitniot-free foods as Kosher for Passover.

Since most Jews in the USA are of European ancestry and do not eat Kitniot on Passover, a majority of US Kashruth organizations today do not certify foods with kitniot as Kosher for Passover.

It may not always be necessary to check up on each hescher. Most stores that carry a Kosher for Passover selection should be able to tell you whether they carry only kitniot-free products or not. Many in the USA carry only kitniot-free products, or separate the products containing kitniot from those that do not. The local kosher grocery in my area carries only a few products containing kitniot, and they are clearly labeled with "contains kitniot" warning stickers. The manager there is well-versed in which heschers are kitniot-free and is careful to make them easily distinguishable to the buyer.

However, even among organizations that certify only kitnios-free foods as Kosher for Passover, there are variations. Many or most of these allow certain kitnios derivatives in even kitnios-free foods. Some, for instance, consider corn oil and certain other corn derivatives to be allowable even though corn flour or corn itself would be considered kitnios. The kitniot or non-kitniot status of peanuts is especially debated, and many traditions do not consider peanut oil to be kitniot.

There is a certain rule regarding kitnios, that if it has been sufficiently changed in nature it is no longer kitnios for kosher purposes. This change must include both the chemistry and the taste of the product. Some organizations require that it must become inedible at some point in the process to qualify as shenistanu or nishtaneh ha’teva ("changed nature"), while others do not.

The "changed nature" rule is particularly applicable to corn. It is rather common for certifying agencies to allow products developed via fermentation processes to use corn syrup as a growth medium.

The OU, for example, certifies some products (particularly fermentation products) Kosher for Passover if they were grown on chometz-free corn syrup. These can be produced using corn-derived corn syrup, dextrose, or glucose as raw ingredients, but the final product may still be certified Kosher for Passover.

The following list of corn derivatives that can be considered Kitniyos Shenistanu or nishtaneh by many organizations is compiled from the following websites: VAAD (council of rabbis) of Montreal, Kashrut.com, and Scroll-K, the OK, the OU, and Star-K:

Ascorbic acid, artificial sweeteners, aspartame, calcium ascorbate, citric acid, glucosamine hydrochloride, Nutra-Sweet, maltodextrin, microbial rennet, MSG (monosodium glutamate), sorbitan, sorbitol, sodium ascorbate, sodium citrate, sodium erythorbate, yeast (some nutritional or brewer's yeasts can be Kosher for Passover), xanthan/xantham gum, vanillin (from rice), Vitamin C.

Even ingredients in this list, though, very well may not be corn-derived in Kosher for Passover products. Individual manufacturers may make the choice to use non-kitniot alternatives even if the certifying agency allows kintiot derivatives. For instance, many people on the Delphi Corn Avoiders Forum have been using OU-P certified Kosher for Passover products with very few reactions. It's always a good idea to check on the forums to find out which products have been tried by others of similar sensitivity, and whether there have been reported reactions or not.

As far as I can tell from their websites, the OK, Star-K and scroll K agencies seem to take a more stringent position on kitniyot derivatives than do some of the other organizations.

The OK website talks quite a lot about how they have been instrumental in making available truly Kosher for Passover ingredients such as citric acid grown on cane sugar. They include the following list of products that are not readily available in truly Kosher for Passover form, but for which they have found alternative kitniot-free sources:

Sodium Citrate, Tri-Calcium Citrate, Residual Fuse Oil (natural), Iso-Amyl Alcohol (natural), Acetic Acid (natural), Ethyl Acetate (natural), Iso-Amyl Acetate (natural), Ethyl Alcohol.

I did not include these items in the previous list, since in their synthetic forms they can be kitniot-free, and I haven't found specific information from any certifying agencies saying that kitniot-derived versions are Kosher for Passover. I would, however, recommend that people who are highly sensitive to corn use cautioun with these ingredients also if they are certified by agencies that allow "changed" kintiot.

The Star-K website states: "The Star-K policy is not to use Kitniyos Shenishtanu. This is why you will not see sodium erythrobate or sodium ascorbate ingredients, found in almost all deli meats, on Star-K approved kosher for Passover processed meats."

Scroll-K includes derivatives such as citric acid, xanthan gum and many articifical sweeteners in their official list of "Kitniyos By Any Other Name" in the 2006 Kosher for Pesach directory.

However, even a product certified Kosher for Passover by the most stringent agency may not be guaranteed corn-free.

An important thing for the corn-intolerant to know is that the prohibition on kitniot only applies to foods that are eaten. It does not apply to many medications, most pills that are swallowed without being chewed, or to non-food products such as soap and cosmetics. There are also certain exceptions made for the very young, elderly or ill.

The bottom line is that, since the kitniot rules are only a minhag (custom) as opposed to a law, there is much more leniency with the use of kitniot than with chametz (grains that can grow yeast).

While it is easier to find corn-free products among the Kosher for Passover selection, we still have to be careful. People with contact allergies should be especially careful not to assume that Kosher for Passover non-food products such as soap would be corn-free, since non-food items need only be chametz-free and can contain kitnios without creating a problem in their kosher status.

For more information about the rules regarding kitniot and chametz, and why these are important at Passover time, please see my more detailed posts at the Purple Puzzle Place:

What is Kosher for Passover, and why Kitniot-Free?

Kitniot or Not?

Cross-reactions and corn

2007-03-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

A more detailed article about cross-reactions will be coming soon. Meanwhile, here's just a bit of information about cross-reactivity between corn and other foods.

Sometimes people who are allergic to one food will also react to another food with a similar component.

For instance, the KD-9 lipid-transfer protein that's supposed to be the most common allergen in corn/maize is also found in peaches and rice. Another protein, the trypsin inhibitor in corn, is also found in grass, wheat, barley, and rice.

this page on corn allergy

wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, millet

peach, apple, apricot, banana and carrot

walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts

grass

Corn a prevalent cause of atopic dermatitis

2007-03-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

Atopic dermatitis is a skin rash (such as eczema) or other skin condition caused by an allergic reaction. In a Lithuanian study of 108 children with atopic dermatitis, researchers tested the children via skin prick test for the most common allergens, and via skin patch test for 25 foods.

Only the "most common allergens"--milk, eggs, wheat, rice, cod, pork, chicken, carrot (I guess these must be the top 8 in Lithuania) were tested via skin prick tests. The total blood IgE was also measured. 73.1% of the test subjects had normal levels of overall blood IgE, not elevated at all. They did not test IgE levels to individual allergens.

4.63% had a positive skin prick test, and 68.5% of the children showed positive results on the skin patch test. In total, only one-fifth of the subjects studied were not found to have food allergy. The vast majority were shown to have AD caused by food reactions.

Out of the 25 foods patch-tested, the most common causes of atopic dermatitis were soy, milk, peanuts, carrot, egg whites, wheat and corn, in that order. In this Lithuanian study, as seems to be the general case worldwide, the most common causes for food-related delayed AD were soy (35.2%), milk (25%) and peanuts (19.4%). 14.8% of the delayed reactions were caused by corn, as compared to carrot (18.5%), wheat and egg white (both 17.6%) and rye (11.1%).

Of the children with atopic dermatitis in the study, over half had mild AD and 17% had severe AD.

Here's the interesting thing: In the group of children with severe delayed-type reactions, corn was the most common cause. 37.5% of the most severe cases of AD were caused by corn, beating out more commonly-suspected allergens such as peanut (23.8%), soy (10.5%), whey (33.3%), and egg white (18.2%.

I wish they would have done skin-prick testing for all 25 of the foods they patch tested. For the tests they did do, the skin patch test was, as expected (and as showed in many other studies--see citations), much more reliable than skin prick testing in correctly diagnosing atopic dermatitis caused by food allergies. As mentioned by the authors, other studies also show a much higher accuracy in diagnosing delayed food-related AD with patch testing.

A Finnish study showed that 16 out of 34 children with severe atopic dermatitis had positive skin-prick tests to corn.

A number of other studies have also shown corn to be among the most prevalent causes of atopic dermatitis. In most of these cases, a skin-prick test will give a negative result even though the atopic dermatitis is caused by a food reaction.

Eosiniphilic esophagitis is another condition for which corn is one of the most common triggers. According to this study, EOS-related food reactions caused by egg, milk and soy were more likely to be diagnosed by skin-prick testing, while issues caused by corn, soy or wheat were more likely to be found by patch testing.

Could latex gloves be connected to produce reactions?

2007-02-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Many people on the corn avoiders forum have mentioned that they have problems with store-bought strawberries, while having no trouble with strawberries they picked themselves.

My daughter (who has eaten home-picked strawberries without reaction, but is allergic to a number of other things including corn and soy) had an allergic reaction to strawberries this past weekend. So I called Cal-Cel Marketing, the grower of the strawberries she reacted to.

The lady who answered the phone seemed very unconcerned and told me that she couldn't give me any information or help me at all. But I insisted on leaving my name and telephone number, and asked her to at least let the management know that my child had a reaction to the berries.

Within an hour or so, I received a telephone call from someone at Cal-Cel. He was very helpful and concerned, and thanked me for letting them know of the issue.

He told me that the strawberries are not washed or treated with anything at all, because this damages the berries and makes them soggy. Any fertilizer or treatment in the field has a required lag time between treatment and picking. The pickers wear latex gloves, and the berries go right into the cartons.

He said that Wal-Mart (the distributor where I bought the berries) is encouraging them to use corn-based plastic for the clamshells, but Cal-Cel hasn't even started testing that or moving that direction yet.

He was going to do a bit of research about what fertilizers, etc. might be used on the berries in the fields and whether that would have any corn or soy derivatives. I forgot to ask him about the possibility of genetic engineering introducing corn or soy proteins to the strawberries.

Since Baby E is allergic to many fruits that cross-react with latex, and latex gloves are usually dusted with cornstarch, it seems at least possible that the latex gloves worn by pickers could have been the source of Baby E's reaction.

As the Cal-Cel representative pointed out, the use of such gloves is an industry standard for essentially all produce. Washing fruits and vegetables very thoroughly before eating them should help to minimize the risk.

Strawberries, with their porous, seeded surface, are particularly hard to wash, and have many nooks and crannies where a latex protein or a grain of cornstarch could hide. I wonder if that could be why so many people on the corn avoiders forum have reported reactions to strawberries?

DH said that he scrubbed each berry individually with baking soda quite thoroughly, and then rinsed them well. It certainly seems unlikely that something on the surface of the berry could outlast that kind of treatment, but the information about gloves may be helpful to someone. People with severe latex or corn allergies should wash produce especially carefully.

I was impressed with the gentleman I spoke with at Cal-Cel. I do hope he'll update me if he finds out anything else about what is put on the strawberries in the field.

I doubt I'll give Baby E store-bought strawberries again, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Cal-Cel berries for the rest of the family in the future.

Enjoy Life Foods listens to consumers

2007-02-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

I e-mailed Enjoy Life Foods yesterday to ask if they were planning to remove the statement about having no reports of reactions to the xanthan gum from their website, since several of us reported reactions some time ago.

I just got an e-mail from Enjoy Life's Consumer Relations saying that they are in the process of redesigning their packaging and website. As these changes are implemented, the claims of their products being corn-free will be removed.

This is wonderful news! Our letter-writing was successful. Well-done, everyone. I'm so excited that our group effort was effective to bring about needed changes.

Kudos to Enjoy Life. I will no longer be boycotting the few products they carry that actually are corn-free.

Crayola

2007-02-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

Since Crayola colored pencils were mentioned on the avoiding corn forum as being corn-free, I let Baby E color with some today. She had a great time.

But Baby E got welts on her neck wherever the colored pencils poked her. They seemed awfully big and red for just a pressure mark, so I called the company.

The representative I spoke with was very helpful. Here's what she told me:

The colored pencils do not contain corn, but they do contain soy.

The crayons contain cornstarch in the glue that fastens the paper wrappers. The crayons themselves do not contain corn, soy or coconut/palm oil. They are made in a paraffin base, not vegetable or beeswax. I am going to try taking off the wrappers and washing the crayons, and then letting Baby E use them.

The only product that contains coconut/palm oil is the oil pastels.

I did not check on the paints--if anyone does find out about them, please let me know.

Corn-Derived Calcium Citrate in Florida's Natural Orange Juice

2007-02-13T14:07:00.000-08:00

I bought some Florida's Natural grapefruit juice with calcium last night.

The FN OJ with calcium was on the corn-free list, and Baby E has always done well with the FN unenriched orange juice. I had talked with the company last year and found that there were no corn derivatives in the processing or packaging of the juice, so it seemed pretty safe. I drank some and went to bed.

I woke up itchy and with mild intestinal symptoms. When Baby E nursed in the morning, she got a spotty rash on her face.

I noticed that the juice carton said it contained tricalcium citrate. That sent off warning bells for me. I'd just been reading that calcium citrate is made with citric acid. And we know that most citric acid nowadays is corn-derived.

So I called Florida's Natural. At first I got the "citric acid and calcium citrate is from fruit" line. Then she looked it up and said that her computer said the citric acid in the calcium was a byproduct of citric acid production. It was made by a fermentation process from natural ingredients--no dairy, no gluten, no soy. So she was sure it had no corn, either.

I explained that Baby E reacts to basically anything that has ever touched corn, and explained how synthetic citric acid is made. Most citric acid is made by a fermentation process that involves growing mold on a sugar/starch--usually corn based. I explained that Baby E does definitely react to citric acid grown on corn.

It wasn't until I asked if I could leave my contact information for them to let me know if they found any other information on it that she said she would check with the research department.

A while later she called me back. She said that the citric acid COULD be grown on corn, but that the research department said it was so highly refined that it contained no corn protein and nobody could possibly react to it.

I informed her about Baby E's rash, and that E does indeed react to corn-derived citric acid, and asked her to pass the information on to the research department.

If anyone else has reacted to the calcium citrate in Florida's Natural orange juice, I encourage you to let the company know: 1-888-657-6600 or use their website's contact form.

I don't know for sure if it's the mold or the corn (or both) that causes a problem in artificially-grown citric acid for Baby E and me, but something sure does.

Corn Allergens and Protein (Reader Question)

2007-02-03T09:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a question from a reader:

Hi. I read some of what you wrote on the corn avoider blog. Thanks for what you've written. I was just diagnosed with a corn allergy and am trying to figure out what that means for me. I have a question for you or any of your other corn avoiding writing buddies.

So, my limited understanding of allergies is that they are a reaction to protein. Many of the corn avoidance sites mention avoiding corn derivatives. Do things like dextrose or corn starch or corn syrup have corn proteins in them? It doesn't seem like they would, especially the medical grade IV stuff.

Are there just trace amounts which are harmful to people who are severely allergic? Or are people maybe allergic to molds that form on the corn, and the mold proteins aren't eliminated during the processing into syrup or starch etc?

Please let me know what you think and if you've found any research that might shed some light on this question.

Thank you so much.

Anika

Hi, Anika. Thank you for writing. I'm sorry to hear about your corn allergy.

Unfortunately there is no hard-and-fast rule about what substances will be allergenic for which people. It really depends on your level of tolerance whether you will react to something or not.

My daughter is so sensitive that she reacts even to things that supposedly contain no protein at all.

Dextrose and corn syrup are made by taking corn starch and separating the protein from the sugar. The sugar portion is corn syrup, or when more highly refined it is dextrose or glucose. Theoretically, chemically pure dextrose should contain no protein. But the dextrose used in food products generally is not chemically pure and can contain some corn proteins.

Derivatives that are highly refined, like microcrystalline cellulose made from corncobs, corn alcohol, glycerine, glucose, and xanthan gum or citric acid grown on corn supposedly have no protein. But some people who are highly sensitive to corn do react to them anyway. There are documented cases of allergic reactions to dextrose IV solution, for example.

Unfortunately, the only really accurate way to figure out your own level of tolerance is to remove all corn derivatives from your diet for a few weeks and then start adding some of the less-allergenic derivatives. A reaction may happen immediately or it may take several days of eating the food regularly for a reaction to build up.

Some people find that they can tolerate tiny, very occasional amounts of corn derivatives, but that they have problems if they eat them too much in quantity or frequency. Others can tolerate certain derivatives like corn-derived citric acid, but will react to things like corn syrup and corn starch.

Science really doesn't completely understand allergies. It's debatable whether proteins are the only allergenic substances in foods, although most allergic reactions do seem to be caused by proteins. However, even products like refined oils (and certainly cold-pressed or expeller-pressed oils, which are less highly refined) can contain trace amounts of proteins.

According to some research done by the owner of Yummy Earth products, current tests for corn protein can only detect levels around 50 ppm (parts per million), while tests for peanut, for example, can detect amounts down to 1ppm. So even a test negative for corn protein doesn't mean that there is not enough protein in the product to cause problems for someone who is severely sensitive.

A good example is Red Star SAF yeast. Their yeast, like nearly all commercial yeast, is grown on corn syrup. They certify that there is no corn protein or corn DNA in their yeast, yet a number of people allergic to corn have had adverse reactions traced to the yeast.

Molds do grow very easily on corn (and also many of the corn derivatives are grown using molds), and most corn products are processed using sulfites, so people who are highly allergic to either one of those will probably have issues with most corn products. If this is an issue, sometimes people will be able to tolerate very fresh, well-washed corn straight from the field while having issues with other corn products. Also, fresh corn contains less of some allergenic substances than dried corn does, supposedly.

I'm working on compiling some information looking at various studies and research about corn allergy, and will post it here on the no-corn blog when I finish it. Meanwhile, I can recommend the best resources I know of for learning about corn allergy--the corn avoiders delphi forum, the corn-free list, and the list of corn derivatives on Connors' site. All those are linked in the sidebar of the News for Corn Avoiders blog. You'll also find links to several recipe blogs and other resources here.

Thank you again for writing. I hope some of this is helpful. Maybe some of the others will have something to add, also.

Best wishes in figuring out your own level of tolerance.

Bush Expected to Push for More Ethanol

2007-01-17T18:08:00.000-08:00

In his State of the Union address scheduled for January 23rd, President Bush is "likely to call for a massive increase in US ethanol usage," according to the New York Times. How massive? According to the New York Times' source, "I think it's going to be a big number. It's in the ballpark of even above 60 billion (gallons) by 2030."

Merely 4.9 billion gallons of ethanol were produced last year, and just 3.9 billion the year before last, according to the Cattlemen Network. Thus, ethanol production may increase over twelve-fold in less than twenty-five years.

More Corn Products

2007-01-14T19:19:00.000-08:00

The National Corn Growers Association provides a large index of corn products.

The most devastating product may be the Sheetrock Brand Gypsum Drywall Panels. Sheetrock is so commonly used in the construction industry that "Sheetrock" is synonymous with "drywall" (much like "Kleenex" is with "tissue"). Thus, there may be a significant amount of corn in the walls of most buildings.

Update: Charlie Byers, the manager of Product Safety for USG, was kind enough to give more details on the use of corn in their drywall in an e-mail. "Typically corn starch is used in the manufacture of gypsum panels as the adhesive that holds the face and back papers to the core of the panels. The corn starch is considered a primary ingredient and the purpose it serves is essential to the structure of the gypsum panels. The amount of starch used is about 3% by weight of the total. Depending upon supply and market conditions other starches such as potato, wheat, and beet may be substituted for the corn starch."

Here is a list of some brand names for corn products, in addition to those mentioned earlier:

Bio/Biocorp products (disposable cups, plates, straws, bags, cutlery)
Biota Spring Water
Blair Products for Artists
Burt’s Baby Bee Dusting Powder
Duracell Procell Batteries
Enviro-Pro products
Enviro-Rite products
EveryReady ClassiCarbon Zinc Batteries
Generations products (comforter, fiberbed, mattress pad, pillows)
Gerber Skinnutrients Baby Lotion
Gerber Diaper Rash Ointment
Gotta Go Kitty Litter
Gyne-Lotrimin
Kingsford Charcoal
Match Light Charcoal
Nature Boy & Girl Diapers
Palmer paint products
Palmer’s Diaper Rash Cream
Prang Paints (finger, powder, premixed, watercolor)
Triple Paste Medicated Ointment (for diaper rash)
USG Ceiling Panels (same company that makes Sheetrock)

U.S. Corn Consumption

2007-01-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

The National Corn Growers Association has recently updated their statistics on corn consumption and production to reflect the 2005 growing season. For the 2005 season, America consumed 8.96 billion bushels of corn, excluding that exported to other countries. With 56 pounds of corn per bushel and 281,421,906 Americans, that means the average American consumes 1783 pounds of corn per year or almost five pounds of corn per day.

This corn consumption is spread across corn-fed livestock, which we eventually consume; ethanol, which we inhale; high fructose corn syrup, which dominates the soft drinks that most Americans drink by the liter; and other sweeteners, starches, alcohols and corn derivatives that become hidden in every fathomable place.

Five pounds of corn. Every single day. Forever, unless you deliberately try to avoid it. Even then, how can anyone possibly avoid nearly 9 billion bushels a year?

Ethanol Added to Ordinary Gasoline and Fuels

2007-01-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

According to Exxon Mobil, “today’s gasoline must… contain required government-mandated special components, like oxygenates (alcohols or ethers).” And according to the U.S. Geological Survey, fuel oxygenates include ethanol, along with suspect alcohols and ethers. Even though additives constitute a small portion of the gas or fuel, the use of an ethanol additive may have widespread implications for travel, people in heavily populated areas, and for those with gas heating and gas stoves. As reported earlier from a Consumer Reports article, forty percent of gasoline in the US contains some ethanol.

UPDATE: Minnesota law currently requires such a significant amount of oxygenates for the Twin Cities during the winter months that "almost all of the gasoline sold in the state is blended with 10% ethanol (E10)." Also, another Minnesota law will mandate an E20 gasoline (20% ethanol) by 2013 unless 20% of Minnesota's fuel comes from renewable resources by 2010 or unless the state does not receive permission from the US government for the use of E20 gasoline. (Minnesota House of Representatives)

For California, ethanol is the only state-approved oxygenate. Most of the gasoline in California is six percent ethanol. (California Energy Commission)

Thanks to ckpdf and kebg11 for the information on Minnesota and California.

About Ellen

2007-01-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

Ellen, known as GinevraP on the forums, is thirty-three years old. She and her supportive husband, Thomas, are raising their two spirited girls, aged eighteen months and almost four years. Ellen lives in Clarksville, TN, where she teaches math at the local university.

Ellen knew of her environmental allergies since childhood but remained oblivious to food allergies.

During her first pregnancy, Ellen had a couple of food reactions. She simply avoided the offending food. During childbirth, Ellen experienced hypertension for the first time in her life, swelling within minutes of the IV insertion. Allergies were never considered.

During her second pregnancy, Ellen became extremely fatigued, especially after lunch. After the birth, her symptoms lessened but did not disappear.

Over the next year, Ellen continued to experience fatigue and confusion after eating. She put off eating until she finished teaching in order to properly function. Even so, Ellen was still missing answers to simple questions, forgetful, and generally unable to function on the spot.

After discussing symptoms with a wheat-allergic friend, Ellen strongly suspected food allergies. She made an appointment with an allergist. The doctor was unmoved by descriptions of incredible fatigue, confusion, light-headedness and flushing that accompanied meals – all classic signs of chronic exposure to food allergens, according to clinical ecology. However, Ellen was tested and found allergic to corn and many other foods in August of 2006.

After noticing the widespread use of corn, Ellen turned to the Internet to learn more – not at all prepared for what she would find. Testing the truth behind Jenny's list of corn derivatives and the information found on the Avoiding Corn forum, Ellen soon discovered that the claims were true: corn was everywhere and in everything. Finding V’s list of safe foods was a godsend. Ellen has been struggling to research and eliminate corn ever since.

Nystatin

2007-01-11T01:24:00.000-08:00

I finally figured out what has been causing Baby E's constant low-grade reaction for the last several weeks. It was the nystatin medicine.

I found out that the people at the compounding pharmacy had not been honest when they kept telling us the liquid in the nystatin suspension was nothing but water.

They were adding things like glycerine and xanthan gum and refusing to disclose that to me or even to my doctor.

Once I got them to admit that, they were claiming that the glycerine was petroleum-derived and the xanthan gum was grown on wheat molasses. Even if that WAS true, which I doubt, the pharmacist verified that the stevia they were using was made via alcohol extraction.

But, also, I found out that a standard method for growing nystatin is to culture the bacteria in a corn meal medium. It can also be grown on a soy/glucose (probably corn sugar) mixture. More details and links to my research here.

Her eczema started to clear up within half a day of taking her off the nystatin, which we had been giving 4 times per day.

New and ingenious uses for Corn

2007-01-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

There are new uses for corn being developed every day, it seems. Keeping track of them all is probably impossible, but luckily The Kentucky Corn Growers Association has a list of specific items derived from corn. The list is meant to help advertise the new and wonderful uses of corn, for those who want to support environmentally friendly, sustainable living products. While the environmental impact is to be admired (Really, we don't want this stuff sitting around a landfill either) from an allergy sufferer's point of view, these things are a serious danger.

Link Here

Some notable entries:
Natural living bedding materials
Magic nuudles craft material
InterfaceFLOR Ingeo Carpet
Baby care products (Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder, Desitin)
Febreze deodorizing spray (often used in Dr's offices and stores)
Secure'N Safe preemergence organic weed control

Phenols, Carbolic Acid, Oxybenzene – Corn based?

2007-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

A document (PDF) supplied by the Environmental Choice Program, lists corn as a possible source for phenols.

In their document, "to be authorized to carry the EcoLogo, the naturally-derived phenol substitute must be completely derived from feedstocks consisting of wood waste, agricultural waste, and/or other organic waste."

Agricultural waste is further defined and may include: straw, chaff, corn cobs, bean residues, and dried stalks of harvested grains.

This makes these not only potentially problematic for those allergic to corn, but for grass, grain (ex: wheat, rye, barley, oats), and bean/peanut/soy allergies.

Phenols and Uses

According to the Austrailian Government site on Phenol: "Phenol is used as a general disinfectant, as a reagent in chemical analysis and for the manufacture of artificial resins, medical and industrial organic compounds and dyes. It is also used in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, paints and paint removers, drugs, pharmaceuticals, textiles and coke. It is produced in large volume, mostly as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals.
The largest single use of phenol is as an intermediate in the production of phenolic resins, which are low-cost, versatile, thermoset resins used in the plywood adhesive, construction, automotive, and appliance industries. It is also used as an intermediate in the production of caprolactam, which is used to make nylon and other synthetic fibers, and bisphenol A, which is used to make epoxy and other resins."

According to Wikipedia's Phenol page: Phenols are used produce aspirin, weedkiller, and synthetic resins, also used in cosmetic surgery as an exfoliant and in treating ingrown nails.

Another site Lakes Environmental: Phenol lists phenol use in ear and nose drops, throat lozenges, and mouthwashes.

The CDC says about Phenols: "Phenol is obtained by fractional distillation of coal tar and by organic synthesis. By far, its largest single use is in manufacture of phenolic resins and plastics. Other uses include manufacture of explosives, fertilizers, paints, rubber, textiles, adhesives, drugs, paper, soap, wood preservatives, and photographic developers. When mixed with slaked lime and other reagents, phenol is an effective disinfectant for toilets, stables, cesspools, floors, and drains.

Phenol was once an important antiseptic and is still used as a preservative in injectables. It also is used as an antipruritic, a cauterizing agent, a topical anesthetic, and as a chemical skin-peeler (chemexfoliant). It can be found in low concentrations in many over-the-counter products including preparations for treatment of localized skin disorders (Castellani's paint, PRID salve, CamphoPhenique lotion), in topical preparations (Sting-Eze), and in throat sprays and lozenges (Chloraseptic, Ambesol, Cepastat, Cheracol)."

Phenol is also commonly used a a preservative in injectibles (vaccines, medications, saline solution), topicals, and both the controls and standardized extracts for allergy testing.

Other names for Phenols are: carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, phenic, monohydroxybenzene, phenic acid, phenylic acid, phenyl hydroxide, oxybenzene, monophenol, phenyl hydrate, phenylic alcohol, phenol alcohol, phenyl alcohol, phenol reagent, benzenol, carbolic, monophenol, Bakers's P and S liquid and ointment.

Sources:
WikiPedia: Phenol

Australian Govt: Phenol

Lakes Environmental: Phenol

Environmental Choice: Naturally Derived Phenol Substitutes PDF

The CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry: Phenols

** Additional info added with help of Purple Kanga

Issues with Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment

2007-01-02T01:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the new and improved version of my article about allergy testing and treatment. I think it is much more readable and easy to use in this format.

The series of posts linked here covers some of the current problems and issues with testing, doctors and scientific studies. It is applicable to all allergies, not just corn allergy. I will continue to update and add to it.

I hope the information is helpful. Please feel free to send others the links or print out the posts to help educate doctors and others about allergies.

Much labor went into this work. I would prefer that you link rather than reposting the entire series. If you post excerpts elsewhere, please do provide credit to me and a link to the post(s) on my blog.

Moon Sand - Potentially Deadly

2007-01-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

A recent post on Delphi has prompted me to write this cautionary article.

The Moon Sand (sold by Toys R Us) may or may not be problematic from a corn standpoint, but its best to be cautious.

The mother who posted describes severe allergic reactions to the Moon Sand in all three of her daughters. The two youngest daughters are both allergic to corn. The allergies of the oldest are currently unknown.

Her youngest (2 yr old) touched the sand for under 2 minutes before reacting. Her middle child touched it for 15 minutes, then showed signs of allergic reaction (behaviors known to be associated with allergic reactions in this child) which resulted in a mild anaphylaxis 4 hours later. The time frame of reactivity for the oldest was not given.

Please use caution if you're thinking of using this product with allergenic children.

Warning: Label Changes

2006-12-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

Just a warning to read labels EVERY SINGLE TIME. Ingredients can change without notice.

Dole Pineapple is now listing CITRIC ACID on their label delphi post here See Amazon listing including ingredients

Panderos Delights cookies have also changed their ingredients recently to include ASCORBIC ACID.

No confirmation from either company that the new ingredients are corn derived, but as both citric acid and ascorbic acid are commonly derived from corn (or otherwise contaminated, causing symptoms in corn allergic individuals) please use caution. And remember, ingredients really do change in the blink of an eye, so always read labels when shopping.

Edited to add that recent contact with Panderos Delites indicates their ascorbic acid is derived from tapioca. Still, an important reminder.

Action Item: Write to Enjoy Life Foods regarding xanthan gum

2006-12-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

Enjoy Life Foods prominently labels their products as being corn-free, yet many of them contain xanthan gum grown on corn.

Their website says:

Xanthan gum
This helps to prevent our goodies from crumbling, a job normally performed by gluten in mainstream foods. It is a necessity in gluten-free baking. Xanthan comes from the dried cell coat of a microorganism called Zanthomonas campestris. Though it sounds chemical, it is actually an all natural ingredient. Xanthan gum is derived from the fermentation of corn sugars, all corn sugars are removed in the processing of xanthan gum. Xanthan gum contains no corn protein and is considered to be corn-free. We have had no reports of problems with our products containing xanthan gum. We recognize the severity of food allergies and encourage you to make a choice based on your own comfort level with this ingredient.

If you have had a reaction to Enjoy Life products, or to any product containing xanthan gum grown on corn, please write to them and let them know.

Even if you have never tried Enjoy Life products, but you avoid xanthan gum, please write to them. You can tell the company that you avoid buying their products because you have had reactions to xanthan gum in the past. Knowing that they are losing customers over this should be helpful.

If enough people write to them letting them know that some corn-allergic people do indeed react to xanthan gum, perhaps they will change their product formulation or at least their labeling.

In my letter, I asked them to consider changing their labeling to clarify that the xanthan gum is grown on corn and the products containing that ingredient are not completely corn-free. As it is, I feel that labeling the products corn-free without any indication on the product that there is a corn-derived ingredient is misleading and dangerous.

I also told them that if they changed the recipes on any of their products to make them truly free of our allergens, we would buy them.

New Uses for Corn

2006-12-10T02:14:00.000-08:00

As if we really need new uses for corn, here a few new uses to keep an eye on.

This is straight from the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (aka CSREES, a division of the USDA), these new uses for corn are in the works.

To quote their page directly: “A rose is a rose is a rose, but corn can be a salt, a medicine and a meat sanitizer.”

Corn Salt? HälsoSalt™
Randall Health Foods of Lansing, Michigan is now selling HälsoSalt™. This is a salt substitute made from corn, and is supposedly a big seller already though the U.S. patent is still pending. HalsoSalt is supposedly Swedish for healthy salt, though I’m not sure what about corn salt makes it Swedish. Sounds like just another ploy to make things look and sound better than they are. I’m not certain if the product label says anything about being from corn, but now you know.

Corn Medication?
According to CSREES, “Xylitol, made from corn fiber, is a sugar alcohol sweetener that helps prevent tooth decay and ear infections and is a safe sweetener for diabetics.” Curious to find out though, exactly how does a sweetener prevent ear infections? The CSREES report did not say.

Xylitol can also be made from birch trees, and was made from birch trees for a long time. I assume it has the same benefits, as corn-derived Xylitol though CSREES makes the Xylitol from corn sound like a whole new invention.

Corn Sanitizer for Meats?
Just when we thought spraying meats with a citric acid wash was going to be our main concern in this area, new research as Missouri and Iowa State has helped develop uses for Polylactic Acid (PLA) made from corn. PLA, when used as a meat sanitizer, reduces pathogens more than tenfold and prevents the growth of bacteria such as E. coli.

While these new uses may be helpful for some people, they do not help our plight in the least. As always, be careful, be safe, and read your labels. The more you know, the better off you'll be.

Problems with Allergy Diagnosis

2006-12-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

[This article is cross-posted at The Purple Puzzle Place]

NHS Blog Doctor's contribution to this edition of the Pediatric Grand Rounds is about cow's milk allergy and formula marketing. While NHS Blog Doctor makes some good points, the post brought out some things to which I've been giving considerable thought.

NHS Blog Doctor's contribution to PGR is about cow's milk allergy and formula marketing. While NHS Blog Doctor makes some good points, the post brought out some things to which I've been giving considerable thought.

One is illustrated by a statement from The British Dietic Association that NHS BlogDoc linked to. It says, "The only reliable way to test for a true allergy is an IgE blood test, a skin prick test or a patch test."

That's a common misconception among doctors and even allergists. The scientific community largely agrees that none of those tests are really all that accurate. Skin prick tests are generally considered to be the most reliable, but even those have only somewhere between a 50% and a 90% accuracy.

Variables such as the tools used, how the test is performed, medications taken by the patient, how recently the person has been exposed to the allergen, recent anaphylactic events, and even the age and quality of allergen samples used in testing can affect the reliability of testing.

Many scientists seem to believe that commercial allergen extracts are less effective and reliable in allergy skin-prick testing than a prick-to-prick method (poking the actual food and then the person's arm), especially with fruit.

Incidentally, some experts point out that "false positives" are not really false positives in that they do reliably indicate the presence of IgE antibodies to that substance. In some cases a person may have antibodies with no discernable clinical reaction; in others this could be an indication that the person may develop a more serious allergy with continued exposure to that item.

Test results can provide useful information, but clinical symptoms trump testing.

#############

An elimination diet (taking out a food to see if symptoms subside, and then reintroducing it to see if they return) can be used with some reliability to diagnose adverse food reactions, and is often used in conjunction with other testing to confirm results.

The gold standard for diagnosing allergies is a double-blind oral challenge, giving the person something (when neither the doctor nor the patient knows whether it's the food or a placebo) and seeing how they react. If the person has an onset of symptoms consistent with allergies after consuming the food, they can be considered allergic no matter what the test says.

Anaphylaxis that is clearly the result of consuming a particular food requires no other testing, and a skin prick or oral challenge in that case can be far too dangerous. Even with the small possibility that the food in question wasn't actually the cause of the anaphylactic reaction, consuming the food usually carries too much of a risk to take that chance. Blood testing can still be used to help confirm the diagnosis if desired.

Unfortunately, too many doctors and allergists believe the hype about allergy testing. Far too many interact with their patients based on statistics rather than on that person's individual history, and assume that if something is rare then it must not be present in their patient.

When confronted with a patient who has an anaphylactic reaction or consistent allergic symptoms when consuming a particular food, but has a negative result to the allergy-testing, too many doctors will tell the patient that they don't truly have an allergy.

If a doctor insists that the allergy test must be right and the patient should go ahead and eat corn despite clinical symptoms of allergy, the patient could land in the emergency room or the morgue.

I know of someone who "forgets to breathe" when she is exposed to popcorn fumes, along with other symptoms of anaphylaxis, had huge welts on the skin prick test, and yet still has trouble getting doctors to take her allergies seriously.

She says, "Think about this. I have the highest weal scores possible, confirmed reaction to at least one corn product (popcorn) through an ER visit, and yet, I cannot get the majority of the medical community to take me seriously. Is it any wonder others have issues?"

This allergy sufferer took part in a study about the prevalence of corn allergy. It was the Tulane study that's often quoted as the only definitive measure of the prevalence of corn allergy. My understanding is that the study was funded by corn companies.

All of the participants had positive skin prick tests and a clinical history of adverse reactions to corn. Of 22 people that fit their research criteria and agreed to participate, 3 were excluded from the study because of negative skin test results just prior to the test. Of the 19 remaining, 2 did not complete the challenge (perhaps because of the severity of their reactions?).

The researchers defined "allergic reaction" so tightly that they defined many clear typical allergic reactions right out of the study by requiring that the reactions be objectively observable.

"If no objective reactions were observed at the end of the DBPCFC, open challenges were done with corn chips followed by popcorn. Subjects without reactions were considered negative."

Only about 6 or 7 of the 16 common symptoms of moderate to severe allergic reactions listed on Medline would have qualified under their standards. After all, itching, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, nausea and abdominal pain are not empirically observable or quantifiable. Airway restriction was counted only if it resulted in more than a 15% decrease in peak airflow. Vomiting, diarrhea, and congestion were, according to information from a participant, not considered a reaction.

The study summary says [definitions in brackets added by me]: "Five patients had positive challenges, two during the blinded portion, three with the open challenge. Reactions included: anaphylaxis, urticaria [hives], conjunctivitis [redness of the eyes] and rhinorrhea [runny nose], perioral urticaria [rash on the face or mouth area] and edema [swelling], and wheezing (>15% decrease in peak flow)."

Several of the ingredients in the study's placebo were also foods that often contain hidden corn (sugar often contains corn syrup, apple sauce and apple juice almost always contain corn-derived citric acid and/or corn-derived sweeteners, etc.), so I wonder if the placebo was truly a good control.

The person I know who took part in the study claims that she started vomiting within moments of the first administration of the test product, and the researchers considered that a non-reaction and continued the test. She spent the rest of the night huddled into a ball, crying from abdominal pain and having severe diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress. She got immediate mucous and congestion in her airways and sinuses as well. Because of her history of anaphylaxis when exposed to popcorn fumes, she did not take the risk of participating in the open popcorn challenge.

The participant was categorized in the "no reaction" portion of the study results.

Vomiting and diarrhea are known, widely-accepted symptoms of anaphylactic allergic reaction, and yet these researchers and many doctors (including my own allergist) discount them as allergic symptoms.

This participant said, "As a matter of fact, the nurse said I was definitely highly 'atopic' but was considered not reactive by their standard. Um... atopy is allergy."

If this is the kind of research we have, how accurate do you suppose the figures of allergy prevalence based on such studies (1-2% of adults, 6-8% of children) really are?

Unfortunately the attitude from doctors that allergic reactions aren't real because they're uncommon, don't fit into a certain tightly-defined set of symptoms (usually limited to athsma, hives and airway restriction), or are unverified by a particular test, is all too common.

I've experienced this attitude personally.

My allergist believes that because it's rare for a child to have more than 4 food allergies, some of her positive skin tests confirmed by clinical observations must be "false positives", because she can't possibly really be allergic to that many foods.

Our allergist insists that many of my daughter's and my adverse reactions to specific foods must be "coincidence" and refuses to consider even the possibility of an intolerance, much less an allergy. Those reactions include swelling and itching of the mouth and throat, all-over body itching, excema, rashes (but not the magical giant hives), severe immediate vomiting and/or diarrhea, and other reactions happening consistently after the food is consumed.

Our allergist believes that because Baby E's positive skin test welts were "not that big" that she obviously "isn't very allergic" to any of the foods she tested positive to. He says that despite the clinical evidence of a severe, immediate reaction (sometimes bordering on anaphylaxis) to the smallest trace of any corn or soy derivative. He has encouraged me to go ahead and give my child things with corn and soy derivatives in them, and was not willing to try to find an allergy medicine that doesn't contain corn or soy for her.

He must not be aware of the research and clinical evidence indicating that the size of the wheal is not directly correlated to the severity of the reaction, and that allergic reactions can take place even with a completely negative skin test. A person can have a very small wheal with a severe anaphylactic reaction to that food.

Also, it is common knowledge that "the wheal size induced by both positive control solutions and allergen-induced prick tests tend to be smaller in infants than adults." Young children are also known to have a higher number of false negatives than adults.

I was told that I wasn't allergic to any foods because none of my welts reached 6/12. I had a positive result of 3/9 to the control, which meant that none of my 5/7 or 4/10 welts "counted" as positive results--despite a clinical history of adverse reactions to those foods which meant I hadn't consumed some of them for a year or more.

Interestingly enough, the control and/or the carrier used in allergy testing often contains glycerine--a substance often derived from common allergens such as coconut, corn, soy or any number of oils derived from vegetable, animal or petroleum sources.

Several studies have found that a glycerine-containing control has a different rate of positive reactions than saline alone.

There are documented cases of allergy to saline solution, glycerine, and the preservatives (especially thimerosol) in saline solution.

Allergies to "glycerine" are noted repeatedly both in anecdotes gleaned in a quick web search, and in scientific literature. Glycerin can cause allergic reactions all on its own.

Strangely enough, I could find little if any mention of trying to differentiate between sources of glycerine when an allergic reaction is confirmed. Saying someone is "allergic to glycerine" without looking at the food from which the glycerine is derived is like saying someone is "allergic to oil" because they had a reaction to peanut oil.

My positive reaction to the control was clearly not the result of dermographism, because other pricks registered 0 and I don't get a raised welt from being poked with a bare needle.

There is no protocol in place for distinguishing between dermographism, a false positive for other reasons, and an actual allergic reaction to the negative control in allergy skin testing. It would be so simple and inexpensive to rule out dermographism in such cases just by adding a prick with no substance or with purified water to the test. I don't know why that's not standard procedure.

I think we can all agree that any positive reaction to the negative control makes interpreting test results difficult if not impossible. Yet a common standard is "3 mm larger than the negative control" for a positive result. Many allergists don't take into account that the control should be at or very close to 0 for results to be reliable, despite the fact that dermographism is considered by some to be a contraindication to skin testing.

Apparently there is some precedence in the scientific community for using the smallest wheal as the control if the saline or glycerine control has a larger wheal than one or more of the allergens being tested: "If the wheal reaction to the glycerin control was greater than the wheal diameter of the allergen reaction, the wheal size for that allergen was set to zero."

Even with a negative control, the statistics I've seen for reliablility of skin prick testing range from 50% to 90% accuracy. Most sources agree that the other methods of testing are even less accurate.

Yet what are the remaining 10% to 50% of patients to do when their doctor believes that testing is the only accurate way to diagnose allergy?

They find themselves in situations like my recent experience: I had a clear anaphylactic reaction to a particular food after multiple occasions of less severe but increasingly obvious allergic reactions to that food.

Within seconds of ingesting the food I had severe itching and tingling of the mouth and throat, all-over body itching, tightness of the throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and coughing, among other symptoms also including dizziness, rapid heartbeat, swelling eyelids and immediate intestinal distress.

Benadryl helped significantly within about 10 minutes of the dose, suggesting that the reaction was histamine-related.

Perhaps because months earlier I had tested "negative" to that food (the welt was only 4/7), my allergist didn't seem to believe I could really be allergic to that food. He wouldn't even see me about the reaction, although he could call in a prescription for an epi-pen "if I really wanted him to, even though he didn't think it was necessary."

He added that if I wanted to, we could do a skin-prick test at some point in the unspecified future "to see if I was really allergic to it."

I suspect that if the skin test came back negative, he would tell me to go ahead and eat it.

If I ever went back to see him again, that is.

Horizon and Aurora Organic - Not really organic?

2006-12-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

At one time, Horizon Organic milk was being considered for our corn-free list, but people kept reacting to it.

Now this article by the Organic Consumers Association, on Corporate Greed & Organic Milk gives more reasons not to consume Horizon products.

Horizon Organics may have originally been quality products; however, Dean's Foods purchased Horizon in 2003. It seems at least since the purchase of Horizon by Dean's Foods, that the company has been slapping Organic labels on non-organic foods. (Horizon Organic's is also sold in the United Kingdom under the Rachel's Organic brand label)

According to Cornucopia.org & Democracy in Action, Aurora Organics sells the following private labels: WoodStock Farms Organic, Great Value Organic (Walmart), Costco's "Kirkland Signature," Safeway’s "O" organics brand, Publix’s “High Meadows,”Giant's "Natures Promise," and Wild Oats’ organic milk.

Please read Organic Consumers Association's article: Corporate Greed & Organic Milk for more information.

According to Denver Bizjournal, Dean's also processes and distributes "Silk soy products, Hershey's milks, International Delight coffee creamers and Marie's dips, among other things." So you can guess how big they really are.

Other articles:

Cornucopia, WI - Files Complaints against Dean's/Horizon.

Cornucopia.org - Dairy Survey Results

Dean's to aquire Horizon Organic

Making the Most of Internet Searches

2006-11-27T03:18:00.000-08:00

Are you having trouble finding the information you need on the web? Here's some information that might be helpful.

For instance, what if you are trying to find the origins of a specific ingredient such as isohexadecane to see whether it can be made from corn or not?

Go to a search engine and type in isohexadecane derived and that will bring up various links that tell you that isohexadecane is derived from fatty acids from animal, vegetable or petroleum sources.

This page says isohexadecane can be "derived from allspice, anise, calamus oil, cascarilla bark, celery seed, butter acids, coffee, tea and plant oils."

So, theoretically, it could be corn, soy, coconut or nut oil, or any other type of oil. "Vegetable oil" or "plant oil" is such a vague and broad category.

The search also pulled up a page that said another name for the same substance is Heptamethylnonane. So then you can learn more by searching for that term, both alone and with the word derived or deriv*.

An asterisk works in many search engines as a wild card, so deriv* will pull up derived, derivative, derivatives, etc. without having to do multiple searches. Searching for the term corn allerg*, for instance, will bring up all the words allergy, allergen, allergenicity, allergic, allergenic, etc. in relation to corn, and will save you a lot of time.

If a basic web search pulls up a lot of pages, either skim through the pages of search results and only click through to the ones that look like they might be relevant, and/or add another word such as derivative or derived to narrow the search results.

Searching just for the word isohexadecane can give you some good information, too.

If I'm trying to find out whether an ingredient can be derived from a certain food, I'll often search for that, as in isohexadecane soy or isohexadecane corn.

Often you'll find new terms to search for by skimming your search results, such as maize, mays, zein and zea when searching for corn. Things can have many different names, which makes it confusing sometimes.

A search for the phrase isohexadecane allergy on PubMed reveals that allergic contact dermatitis has been recorded as a reaction to isohexadecane.

When searching for a specific word on a web page, you can save a lot of time by clicking on Edit at the top of your browser window and then on Find (on this page) and typing in the word in the search box. Or you can use a keyboard shortcut by pushing Ctrl-F.

Knowing how to make the most of internet search engines can really be helpful in researching allergies.

Yummy Earth - Hard Candies

2006-11-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

A while ago, we did a post about Yummy Earth lollipops and how helpful and honest the company was about the sources of their ingredients.

Recently, Yummy Earth came to Delphi Forums and posted some updated information.

Yummy Earth, due to demand, has expanded their product lines to include "drops" or individual hard candies without the stick.

They've also started selling their products in individual flavors so you're not stuck with that one flavor you can't eat (due to allergy) or that you just don't like.

If you're like me, you're a big Yummy Earth fan, and you just can't wait to order a bulk of your favorite flavor... I've included a link that goes directly to their ordering site.

Yummy Earth Online Shop

Bare Escentuals - May cause irritation

2006-11-18T13:11:00.000-08:00

A common ingredient in mineral powders is Bismuth Oxychloride, which due to some research is a very common irritant.

An article by Lynn Starner explains better what Bismuth Oxychloride is and where it comes from.

So when using cosmetics with this ingredient, skin irritation may or may not be corn related. Just an FYI.

New Corn-Free Foods (& Products) List - Blog

2006-11-15T12:33:00.000-08:00

Due to problems of not having all the information and research in one place, we started this "News for Corn Avoiders" blog since it is easily searchable for any topic (see top search bar) about which you may want to find corn-related information.

Similarly, due to problems of not having all the information easily accessible, we've started a sister-blog listing a Corn-free Foods (& Products) List that is easily accessible by many and related research is posted in a likewise easily searchable format.

The Corn-Free list is a group project of sorts of the Delphi - Avoiding Corn Discussion Forum and we welcome you to help us keep it up to date.

Since companies are constantly changing their formulas, we cannot guarantee 100% corn-free status of anything. However, the list is a good place to start.

Corn-free Foods (& Products) List

Corn Allergy or Corn Intolerance?

2006-11-11T01:18:00.000-08:00

Do you have a Corn (Maize) Allergy or a Corn (Maize) Intolerance?

Confused? Well so are we.

Actually I think the entire world is confused. The more I read up on this subject in order to shed some light on this confusing debate, the more confused I became. So don't worry, you're not alone in the head scratching.

It seems that when it comes to food intolerance, no one can agree on specifics. About the only agreement is this:

For it to be a food allergy, the immune system (IgE) is involved. Food intolerance the immune system isn't involved.

However that's about where the agreement separates. Some sites will tell you that if your food allergy doesn't show up on tests, then it has to be a food intolerance. We tend to disagree.

How reliable are Corn Allergy tests?

According to a study from March 2004, posted on Allergy Advisor.com "Traditionally, skin-specific and serum-specific IgE tests to maize are used to diagnose maize allergy. It is generally assumed that a negative result indicates the absence of maize allergy. However, it was recently shown that a negative skin-specific IgE and serum-specific IgE to maize flour had no clinical significance for most of the patients studied, and that food allergy to maize has to be proved by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge studies"

The same study also states: "Many allergens have been isolated from maize, but the majority of them have not been clinically evaluated for their allergenic potential."

Even the Corn Refiner's Association admits: "Though allergens in other food systems have been well characterized, very little work has been devoted to identifying allergens in corn or corn ingredients."

So for starters, the tests are not accurate measures of IgE responses to corn, probably because the allergens in corn have not been fully identified to even make an accurate test for corn. Clearly for diagnosing a corn allergy, testing alone is not going to be an accurate measure of an IgE mediated food allergy reaction. (Despite what your allergist may tell you)

How can you tell if its a Corn Allergy or a Corn Intolerance? What is the difference?

One difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance is portions. A person with a food allergy usually cannot tolerate any amount of that allergen; however a person with a food intolerance can usually tolerate a small portion of an offending food but a larger portion will cause problems. Tolerances on this will differ from person to person whether they have a food allergy or intolerance.

The main difference however is the involvement of the immune system. Despite some sites claims to the contrary, there are a few symptoms which signify the immune system is getting involved. If you have any of the following, you most likely have a food allergy and should see your doctor immediately (you will want to get a script so you can have an Epipen handy).

These are:

Hives, urticaria, skin rash, eczema, - Skin may become red or flushed, raised bumps, itching, or fluid filled blisters.
Itching/burning around the mouth (or other contact area) usually accompanied with swelling.
Labored breathing, tightness of the chest, wheezing, asthma, shortness of breath.
Life-Threatening anaphylaxis.
Skin Contact reactions.

This is not an all inclusive list of food allergy reactions but these generally are not present with food intolerances and only present when the immune system is getting involved. (however there are always exceptions)

I should probably clarify here that when I say "immune system is involved" or maybe I should state that when 99% of the medical field states the "immune system is involved" they are referring only to the IgE immune response.

The immune system has many little warriors out there battling diseases and bacteria on our behalf. Some are IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD, and of course IgE. However, IgE is about the only one that has been even close to thoroughly researched and is the only immune response considered when declaring a food allergy.

IgG has also been proven to have reactions to foods; however these reactions are considered minor and temporary. Thus in medical circles, IgG mediated food allergies are considered intolerances despite the immune systems involvement. It is believed that if you avoid an IgG allergen long enough that the body will stop reacting to it. This is not true of an IgE allergy.

Genova Diagnostics explains the differences between IgE and IgG pretty simply:

IgE Mediated Allergies
Immediate onset (within minutes)
Circulating half life of 1-2 days
Permanent allergies
Stimulates histamine release
Includes foods, inhalants & molds

IgG Mediated Allergies
Delayed onset (4-72 hours)
Circulating half life of 21 days
Temporary allergies
Stimulates histamine release
Includes foods, herbs & spices

This is generally considered the differences between IgE and IgG allergies. Yet, an article by the University of South Carolina School of Medicine gives more time for IgE mediated responses:

"Type I hypersensitivity is also known as immediate or anaphylactic hypersensitivity. The reaction may involve skin (urticaria and eczema), eyes (conjunctivitis), nasopharynx (rhinorrhea, rhinitis), bronchopulmonary tissues (asthma) and gastrointestinal tract (gastroenteritis). The reaction may cause a range of symptoms from minor inconvenience to death. The reaction usually takes 15 - 30 minutes from the time of exposure to the antigen, although sometimes it may have a delayed onset (10 - 12 hours). Immediate hypersensitivity is mediated by IgE." - U of South Carolina, School of Medicine

So if your reactions to foods are more than minutes but less than hours, your chances are pretty good that its IgE mediated and would be considered an actual food allergy. Keep in mind, that though IgG mediated food allergies involve the immune system, the medical community still considers them “intolerances”.

What is a Food Intolerance (Corn Intolerance)?

Food Reactions.org and WebMD both give pretty clear cut and accurate definitions of real food intolerance.

Food Reactions.org states: "Food Intolerance is the inability to completely break down food into absorbable components due to lack or insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes. The unabsorbed food which remain in the digestive system causes the classic symptoms of bloating and cramps and others."

and

WebMD states: "Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response. It occurs when something in a food irritates a person's digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or breakdown, the food. Intolerance to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common food intolerance."

Rules about food intolerance seem to be breaking down in recent years. These two definitions are more conservative than what some sites will tell you, as the discovery of IgG mediated food allergies (intolerances) has made some alter their definitions of food intolerance which I believe is misleading. (one such definition can be found at Australian Disability Online which lists asthma and other histamine type responses as a symptom of food intolerance.)

Food Intolerance symptoms should be mostly harmless, though when you're suffering through it you might wish it wasn't as these can be quite painful and debilitating. These symptoms include: (be aware these can also be present if it’s a food allergy)

Nausea
Bloating
Abdominal Pain
Diarrhea

These symptoms may start about a half hour after eating or drinking the problematic food, but they may also be delayed.

Rules of Thumb on differences between Corn Allergy and Corn Intolerance:

1. Immediate (minutes - Corn Allergy) vs. delayed reactions (hours - Corn Intolerance).

2. Immune system involvement: Hives (skin irritation), stuffy nose, chest congestion, swelling, anaphylaxis. (Food intolerance is mainly digestion issues.)

3. Skin contact problems - skin contact reactions have nothing to do with digestion and are only mediated by the immune system (except harmful chemicals which harm anyone’s skin). If you break out (eczema and acne included), have difficulty breathing, swelling, nausea, etc. by skin contact with a food item, you are most likely allergic to it (or something in it).

Important to note: The body can mask allergy symptoms as a way of survival. So some of these symptoms may not be noticeably present at first, or may not seem to be linked to a particular food. Masked allergies to foods are often present in persons with other skin (eczema and acne) conditions, airborne allergies, mood & behavioral issues, dark under eyes, sleep problems, and other miscellaneous conditions. (See Women to Women: Food Allergy Symptoms for more clues as to conditions which may be caused by hidden food allergies)

Telling the difference between an allergy and intolerance isn't always easy, but your family history will help. According to statistics on Australian Disability Online "Children who have one family member with asthma or eczema have a 20-40 per cent higher risk of developing allergy; if there are two or more family members with allergies then the risk increases to 50-80 per cent." Since asthma and eczema are often symptoms of allergic reactions themselves, its possible that the genetic allergy risk may be even higher than stated.

A full list of food allergy symptoms would be very long and there will be a separate article hopefully fully encompassing any and all symptoms you may experience. However in the meantime, Women to Women has an article which gives the most comprehensive list of systems. Keep in mind, that a food allergy can have all the same symptoms of a food intolerance (digestion issues), but a food intolerance will not have the symptoms of a food allergy (aka immune system response symptoms as explained earlier).

Where to start looking for Food Allergies?

If you just read through the last several paragraphs and you think you might have a food allergy but you don't know where to start, here are a few clues.

There are often two ways people react to allergy foods. They either love them (food allergy addiction) or they hate them. If there is a food you dislike (or strongly disliked as a small child), its possible that a food allergy may be the culprit. Keep in mind that this is not always accurate as the older you get the more memories you have about food, and you may stop liking foods based on non-food related memories. Aka you don't like orange jello because you associate it with the time you had that violent flu.

For parents of young children: Despite what some doctors and parenting advisors might say, young children (babies included) often refuse a food that they know is bad for them or has previously caused them problems. This can also include breast milk if the mother is eating a food to which the child is allergic. Children as they grow older may get finicky and like or dislike foods for other reasons, but pay attention to foods your child is refusing. Keep a list, including brand names as some brands may have added ingredients that others do not. This will help you narrow down possible food allergies. FYI: Enriched products (milks, flours) often have added corn and soy as carriers for the added vitamins.

According to FAAN, common food allergens are: Milk, Eggs, Peanut/Soy, Wheat (other related grains), Tree Nuts, Fish, Shellfish. The FDA only recognizes these 8 allergens to be serious enough to require labeling. FAAN does not recognize corn (nor does most of the USA) and you'll find many doctors will actually discourage a corn allergy even if the test results are positive. Corn Allergy and Intolerance is on the rise. If you do test positive to corn at all (in any even slight amount) you should investigate it through diet. Avoidance and retrial, is the only accurate way to know if it’s going to be a real issue.

Food Allergy Addiction is also something for which to watch out. It sounds funny or like a "fat persons" disease, but it isn't necessarily. Physiologically, the body becomes dependant (addicted) to the allergens presence and starts a craving for it. There are several theories for this (see below links) which center more on the chemical reaction that happens in the body when an allergen is introduced. When those chemicals start to wane, the body craves another dose of the allergen to increase the levels of those chemicals again. These foods are usually eaten within a 3 day cycle, or less depending on the level of addiction. Some may be eaten daily, or every meal/snack/drink.

Why do I crave foods to which I'm sensitive?

Allergy Addiction Cycle

Addiction Pyramid

With corn, these cravings can manifest as a craving for any number (or multiple) of foods as corn is everywhere and it can be very hard to detect. One days craving may lead to ice cream, another day to Spaghetti-O's, baked beans, cookies, crackers, canned fruits, juices, salami, hotdogs, candy, chocolate, beer, etc.

My (Von) allergy to corn was based in a food allergy addiction cycle. It wasn't until I removed 80% of the corn from my diet (corn starch, corn syrup, etc) that I realized that corn was getting me high. My body was addicted, even though it was also making me sick. I would crave anything and everything in my cupboards. I actually started figuring out certain corn derivatives because I would crave the foods they were in - when you're starving for canned beets (corn vinegar), and will eat them straight out of the can (can't get them fast enough), you start wondering if maybe you might have a problem. After avoiding corn for two years, my body is finally starting to reprogram its addiction and is starting to react to corn as an aversion to it. It’s much easier to stop your body from eating something it doesn't like, rather than something it insanely wants. I have other food allergies as well, but none are instigators of the addiction cycle, only corn.

More resources:
WebMD - Allergy or Intolerance
Food Reactions.Org - Food Allergy & Intolerance
SAGA - Intolerance and Allergies
Women to Women: Allergy Symptoms
Allergy, Intolerance, & Sensitivity explained
Why do I crave foods to which I'm sensitive?
Allergy Addiction Cycle
Addiction Pyramid

Toms of Maine - No longer Corn-free

2006-11-09T12:33:00.000-08:00

Since Colgate took over Toms of Maine in March 2006, we have been waiting for the product quality to decline as so often happens when big corporations take over quality natural products.

A letter from Toms of Maine confirms our worst fears, and takes another product off our already limited list of safe products.

The letter posted on Delphi Forums - Avoiding Corn states the following:

"Thank you for your e-mail. You would want to stay away from our liquid gel and gel toothpastes as they have sorbitol from corn. Also, our toothpastes with xylitol may be corn derived (it is either from birch trees or from corn, depending on available supply).

That would leave only a couple of our products. Our children's silly strawberry toothpaste or our orange mango children's toothpaste would be your choices.

Thanks for asking! Please let me know if we can be of any further service to you."

As far as we currently are aware, there is no other manufacturer of toothpaste that is corn-free.

The Silly Strawberry and Orange Mango childrens toothpastes are still supposed to be corn-free. There have been a couple reported reactions with the strawberry, but since those persons have other allergies as well we are not certain yet if it is corn-related. If you have any problems with these two products, please let us know.

Dextrose in IV and Injection Fluid

2006-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

I found a copy of the package insert for the 5% dextrose lactated ringer solution used in IVs. It's on the FDA website--incidentally, a great resource for finding things like that.

It reads:

Baxter Lactated Ringer’s and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP
in VIAFLEX Plastic Container

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with known allergy to corn or corn product.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Allergic reactions or anaphylactoid symptoms such as localized or generalized urticaria and pruritus; periorbital, facial, and/or laryngeal edema, coughing, sneezing, and/or difficulty with breathing have been reported during administration of Lactated Ringer’s and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP. The reporting frequency of these signs and symptoms is higher in women during pregnancy.

Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the site of injection, extravasation, and hypervolemia.

If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures, and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.

I also found out that there is an alternative readily available. Plain saline solution without the dextrose can be substituted, and should be available anywhere.

I'm starting a binder right now with a copy of the package insert, relevant parts circled in red. I'll add other relevant information and a statement from Baby E's doctor. I think he'll be happy to give us something saying that she has severe allergies, including corn and soy, and needs to completely avoid anything containing these ingredients.

That way I can keep that binder with me or in a readily accessible place, available at all times. I don't want to end up in the emergency room some day arguing with some lunkhead about why Baby E can't have an IV with dextrose in it.

I'm thinking I should probably get some kind of medical alert bracelet or something for Baby E to wear, too, since an IV would be one of the first things placed in a real emergency.

There's no way I'm going to let a doctor mainline corn into my highly allergic baby's system. Not this mama.

Which Corn Derivative is used Where?

2006-10-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Corn Refiners Association has published a little bragging pamphlet about the 1000's of Uses of Corn (and growing) which contains some really great information on which types of corn derivatives are being used in which products. Many products have multiple sources of corn.

For this publication, I'd like to thank the Corn Refiners Association for their honesty in reporting. I don't know where we'd be without them.

How to Contact a Company

2006-10-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest things about corn allergy is that nothing is safe. Because corn derivatives are often used as ingredients of ingredients, or as a part of the packaging process or even as a conveyer dressing, the consumer can not rely upon the package ingredients alone.

Before using a new product it is always a good idea to call the manufacturer and verify that it is corn free. However, simply asking if such and such contains corn is not enough. Most customer service reps are looking at the same ingredient list as you, and will in total innocence tell you that there is absolutely no corn when the list clearly states maltodextrin, citric acid, or even modified food starch. Even Doctors can look at a bottle of medicine and guarantee that there is no corn…until you point out the clearly labeled “Corn Starch” in the inactive ingredient list. (Warning, they hate it when you do that.)

You can contact most companies by either phone or e-mail. You can get contact information from packages, or do a web search from home. Many companies have their own websites.

Personally, I prefer to contact a food product manufacturer first by mail or e-mail. They seem to “get it” better if the full question is in writing.

Before contacting a manufacturer, find the list of ingredients for the product in question. Highlight the questionable ingredients. Then form your letter. My basic form letter reads something like this:

Dear (products)
I am so excited to discover your (product name)! I have a severe corn allergy, and need to know if it contains any corn derivatives. I’m particularly concerned that there may be corn derived ascorbic acid in the fruit concentrate, or an anticaking agent such as maltodextrin in the spices. I also need to verify that you don’t use corn starch or other corn derivatives in the packaging process or as a conveyer dressing, and that the plastic package has not been precoated with corn starch.

Thank you so much for your help! I’m sure you understand how difficult it is to live with this allergy, I’m looking forward to hearing to back from you!
Sincerely,

Of course, you would replace the above with your own pertinent information. If a company responds that they have a strict allergen program in place and that the top 8 are clearly labeled, be aware that corn is NOT on the top 8. Most of those letters are form letters, and if a company uses them (without discussing corn in particular) then you need to either respond again, thanking them for their time and asking if specifically CORN is labeled, since it isn’t considered a top allergen by the FAAN or the FDA; or call them and ask for them to please contact their suppliers for verification that the food is truly corn free. Even if they seem to check it out, there is a chance that something will slip through. That’s just the way of life with a corn allergy. But if they seem to be blowing you off and put you on the defensive for trying to protect yourself or your family, please do not even bother trying the product. As limited as our diet is, if the company is not interested in giving you facts or protecting you, their customer, they aren’t worthy of your support. And their product is definitely NOT worth risking a reaction over.

My doctor claims that many drug companies have lists of the source of their ingredients, and I’ve had good luck calling drug companies. It helps if you can state your doctor’s recommendation, and that your doctor told you to call first. Occasionally a pharmaceutical representative will state that they will only give that information out to a physician. I counter with “Well, my doctor doesn’t have time to research this for me.” So far I find that pharmaceutical representatives do have better access to ingredient sourcing than large food companies, but not all the customer service representatives you reach will know how to access that information. So you may need to request a manager, or ask them to put you in touch with a person who *can* answer your questions.

Living with a corn allergy sometimes feels like you’re living with a ticking bomb. There is no way to protect yourself completely from exposure to corn. All you can really do is limit your risk of exposure, and hope that by making your environment as corn free as possible, you will be better able to handle an unintentional exposure.

Car accident may kill you. Airbags and corn.

2006-10-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Just when you need it most, your airbag may kill you, and not in the strange ways of wierd freak accidents. Due to a warning issued on Delphi - Avoiding Corn - Car Air bags, I decided to do a little research on airbags and corn allergy.

According to Enotes.com a science research info site: "Talcum powder or corn starch is used to line the inside of the air bag and is released from the air bag as it is opened."

Lovely! Now we have to choose between our safety and our health.

According to Pueblo Govt Information site: US Dept. of Transportation, there is a way to turn off your airbags.

This is definately a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't. I believe I may have to contact my dealership and see if they know with which "talc or corn starch" my airbags are packed.

I recommend that you all do the same. The last thing you need while in an accident is to have anaphylaxis and searching the wreckage for your epipen (or your child's epipen).

Whole Foods - Corn Allergy consumer confidence lost

2006-10-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

I have been slowly losing confidence in Whole Foods. First it was their insistance that their 365 sodas were corn-free, but aren't. Then this week, I found out they switched their corn-free 365 broth to another manufacturer which uses corn starch (clearly labled) in the product.

I was angry.

So when I called Whole Foods to talk about the broth change, I got to talk to someone in charge. Or at least in charge of the 365 products. I am bad with names, so I didn't get his.

After first discussing that the product had in fact switched manufacturers rather than a formula change (meaning the old labeled broth is safe), I complained about the new broth containing corn.

He seemed alarmed that someone had actually contracted a new broth with obvious corn in it. From what he'd said, I got the idea that he'd gotten a whole heap of trouble (and education in corn allergy) from the 365 soda debacle.

He also mentioned that their intention with the 365 sodas was to get the only (or at least the first) corn-free soda line in the market. They had been promised and assured that the citric acid was from fruits, by the manufacturer, which is why they selected that manufacturer. Then they got the angry letters from us corn-allergic people and found out the lies. He said the manufacturer then claimed that the citric acid couldn't cause problems since it was so processed it no longer contained corn. Then he said, but it obviously does. I, of course, started laughing, because its not just us that get that speil of nonsense. I informed him that we hear that all the time "after the fact" and it really causes us a lot of problems.

He assured me that the corn allergy was a big issue with Whole Foods. Said that they've been seeing a larger and larger demand for corn-free products and are working on adding corn to their list of allergens to watch for. He said it wasn't required by law, but that they're doing it by customer demand.

This conversation with him helped me get a little more confidence in Whole Foods. However, only time will tell if they live up to it.

I encourage you to write Whole Foods and voice your concerns over this issue and ask them to make corn-free foods a priority. Ask about corn-free products at your local Whole Foods. Let them know just how many us there really are.

Whole Foods contact form
Whole Foods store locator

**The new corn starched broth finally hit my Whole Foods' shelves this week (11/09/2006). I am not happy.

About Violets

2006-10-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Violets is the 28 y/o mother of 2. She began suffering from food allergies several years ago, misdiagnosed as "IBS" and "stress" in the beginning. Violets' corn allergy was discovered accidentally, during an elimination diet designed to treat her daughter's migraine headaches. She went on to be diagnosed with celiac disease, as well as several other food allergies. More at her personal blog.

She has been researching corn allergies as a patient and advocate for 3 years. Though not the only one with food allergies in the household, she appears to be the only one with a severe corn allergy.

When taking a break from allergy research and safe cooking, she enjoys scrapbooking and crochet.

Toys & Corn allergy, Warning

2006-10-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

As Christmas time is coming up .. ok not for a while.. so don't panic. But if you're one of those, shop ahead of time to find the bargain types of shoppers..

Anyway, I thought it might be good to put a little warning here. Hopefully we'll have something more substantial with research in the future, but its best to know to watch out for this.

Delphi - Avoiding Corn: Polly Pockets has started several mothers putting together pieces of puzzling reactions and finding toys to be the culprit.

It is not really known yet, if it is the plastic of the toys (see our post Uses of Corn and Surviving Parenthood) or if the toys are being packaged using corn starch in the packaging.

Just a little heads up for now. Hopefully more to come later.

Simply Orange Juice - Might not be as pure as they claim

2006-10-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

I contacted the Coca-Cola company to confirm corn-free status of their Simply Orange juices. This is what they say:

"Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your question. All of the Simply Orange juices are made with 100% orange juice and do not contain corn. Additionally, Simply Limeade and Lemonade do not contain corn derived ingredients. We hope this helpful. Thank you for your interest in our brands.
Sheree
Industry & Consumer Affairs The Coca-Cola Company" Another response can be found here.

"Thank you for contacting The Coca-Cola Company. The calcium that we use is man-made and not derived from corn. We hope this is helpful. Thanks
Sheree
Industry & Consumer Affairs The Coca-Cola Company"

I tested the calcium enriched pulp-free. I got very sick, and even now 3 weeks later I'm still recovering. Another member of the Delphi site also tested Simply OJ (unenriched, original) with her corn-allergic child, and the child had an allergic reaction.

The original Simply Orange thread gives more of the full story: Simply Orange Juice

The "Simply" line of beverages may be listed as corn-free by the company, but human testing it didn't pass. Please use caution.

About Purple_Kangaroo

2006-10-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Purple_Kangaroo is the mother of an infant with a severely sensitive corn allergy (as well as allergies to mold, soy and other legumes, and possibly a few other things such as nightshades).

After a year of dealing with a fussy, sleepless baby, the family finally took Baby E to an allergist. Identifying the corn allergy with a skin test and removing corn from their diet has made a huge difference.

Purple_Kangaroo also has an extensive personal and family history of food and environmental allergies. She has been researching and living with various allergies and intolerances for most of her life.

Her interests include creating delicious allergen-free meals, homeschooling her 3 children, writing and doing graphic design work, making arts and crafts, taking part in church and community activities, and lobbying for more awareness and better labeling to help people with food allergies.

Purple_Kangaroo also has a personal blog. For more about her family's history with food allergies, see her blog post here: Why I'm interested in allergies and corn avoidance

Corn is Global - World Markets for Corn

2006-10-01T02:45:00.000-07:00

Since corn is so predominant in the US food supply, many of us have turned to imported goods to find corn-free foods. However, there are a few countries which should be watched for corn as well.

According to Iowa Corn, the top 10 biggest customers for US corn are: Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Egypt, Colombia, Algeria, Canada, Israel, and the Dominican Republic.

According to Grainnet.com, the top 5 markets for US grain exports are: Japan, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, and Egypt. (these 5 count for approx. 43% of the total 2005/2006 corn exports.)

And according to The New York Times, "Japan is by far the largest overseas market for American corn growers." It is used predominantly for brewing beer and making starch syrups.

Some other countries that grow their own corn supply and/or export corn as well:

Australia grows its own corn. Kellogg's, themselves, have 30,000 tons of whole Australian corn milled for use in its products, according to Kellogg's Australian website.

China also grows its own corn. An article by the USDA, mentions that China's halting exports of corn and may start to import. Their use of corn is up by a strong demand from the starch, syrup, and ethanol industries, according the Chicago Board of Trade.

Other growers of corn, are India (local & export), Brazil (local & export), Chile, Argentina, and others.

So make sure you watch your labels, and know all the names of corn. Just because its not made in the U.S. of Corn, doesn't necessarily mean its corn-free.

Introducing Von

2006-10-01T02:13:00.000-07:00

Von, better known as simply V, is a 38 year old long-time allergy sufferer, currently residing in Austin, Texas. Von has spent most of her life battling allergies.

At age 4, Von began taking daily antihistamines. But her allergies just kept getting worse, and by age 31, she was on 5 daily allergy medications to keep her breathing. Over the years, other problems arose (or got worse so they were noticeable). Symptoms such as uncontrollable weight gain, migraines, dizziness, fatigue, requiring up to 12 hours of sleep a night, large cyst/boils, acne, infections, IBS, etc.

After nearly 15 years of battling to get any kind of diagnosis for her various health problems, she discovered by chance her allergy to corn, 3 yrs ago. During a two week trip to Norway, 90% of her symptoms disappeared. When she returned to the U.S.A, all her symptoms returned and she began investigating. The only major difference she could find was corn in the diet. Fueled by this discovery, she spent a year battling doctors to get medically diagnosed. Seeking help from the medical community, but not receiving any, Von took it on herself to research and educate herself and her doctors, learning many things the hard way. Skin-prick test positive to corn. RAST test negative. ELISA (Immunolabs) test positive IgE to corn.

Von has spent the last 6 yrs delving into a completely corn-free life and her long battle with health problems has ceased. Topping the scales 6 yrs ago at 295lbs (at the time gaining 25lbs a year), Von has lost 50lbs and is continuing to lose. After over 25 yrs of constant antihistamine use, Von is now completely off all allergy medications as well and breathing just fine.

Though corn is Von's primary food allergy concern, she also tested IgE positive to Milk, Eggs, White Bean, Penicillin.

Von also has her own personal blog: World of V

Yummy Earth - Organic Lollipops - A Company that Truely Cares

2006-09-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Many of us are used to dealing with companies, trying to find answers, often getting no answers or no cooperation. Yummy Earth has set a new bar for cooperation and honesty.

On the Delphi - Avoiding Corn Thread, Corn & Candy, you can see for yourself the lengths to which the company co-founder has gone to answer our questions about their product Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops.

One of the members gave the co-founder Rob Wunder the site address for the Avoiding Corn Delphi Forum, and not only did he answer her questions on the phone, he logged onto Delphi and has been answering questions there and working with us.

The lollipop ingredients are:

Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Non GMO Citric Acid, Organic & Natural Flavors (Watermelon, Pomegranate, Orange Oils, Lemon Oils, Raspberry), Organic & Natural Colors, Red Cabbage, Purple Carrots.

Their citric acid is from beet sugar. The colors are from cabbage and carrots.

The product should be completely corn-free; however, Ron has been honest and upfront that the candy is made on the same lines as candy with corn syrup. The line is washed before it is used to make the Organic Lollipops, but there is still risk of cross-contamination.

Mr. Wunder has also researched corn product testing, and stated this:

"According to Ron Schnitzer of Sani-Pure Food Laboratories in Saddle Brook, NJ corn is not protein based and is not an AMA or FDA recognized allergen. There may be corn present at rates less than 50 parts per million in YummyEarth flavors, but there is no test for corn that will test below 50 parts per million. Therefore there is no existing method to test the existence of corn in our product because the possible existence of corn in our product could simply be undetectable. Without making light of anyone's corn reactions - it certainly is fun to learn about this stuff!!!"

Mr. Wunder also stated that they will be updating their site to post detailed answers to the questions we've already asked. Yummy Earth - Ingredients

Due to the helpfulness of Ron and his willingness to go out of his way for us, I have decided to be brave and I ordered some of the lollipops last night. I'll post an update once I've tried them myself.

***** I have tried several of these with no reaction. There is still a cross-contamination issue, but the lollipops seem to be completely corn-free. Enjoy!

Uses of Corn - Corn Products to avoid.

2006-09-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

Because there just isn't enough things made from corn to watch out for..

Here are a few more products to avoid:

Eco-friendly gift cards - These festive little cards are scratch'n sniff peppermint scented gift cards, biodegradable, made from corn. Places to watch out for these lovelies: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Gap, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, JC Penney, Costco, Toys R Us, and more. Another article at Potentials Mag. states that 99.9% of people won't know the difference between the corn plastic gift cards and the PVC. These haven't been out long enough to know if it'll cause skin irritation on corn allergic/intolerant people, but its definately something for which to watch out.

Eco-friendly Coffee Mug - This coffee mug is made from 100% corn plastic. Its sold as a promotional item for companies. So watch out for that Eco-friendly mug being handed out at the company holiday party.

Actually, speaking of bioplastics.. here is an article about Bio-plastics (corn-based polylactice acid, PLA) in use. Watch out for the following being made from corn:
Compostable Tableware - made entirely from corn. Line includes: disposable forks, knives, spoons, plates, cups, bowls, and storage containers such as those used in deli's and supermarkets. See Also: Biodegradable Store
Containers at Deli's and Supermarkets - Part of the Compostable Tableware line. Wild Oats Markets has switched its packaging to corn-based plastics.
PLA Clothing Items & Bedding: already available in department stores in Nebraska, and "around the nation".
Sony-Walkman: Available in PLA in Japan. (and probably USA as well)
CD's: Available in PLA in Japan. (and probably USA as well)
Sorona Fabric: A joint effort of Dupont and Tate & Lyle. The fabric is made from corn and petroleum products. Production to begin in 2006?
Polyester & Food Wrap: Not that any of us is thinking of making a 1970's polyester suit, but BASF AG & Metabolix are working on a plant-based (corn) polyester plastic to be used as food wrap or fibers for clothing.
Coated Paper, Film, Molded Goods: ADM is working on producing these with polymers made from corn.

Other products from corn that may not readily come to mind: Iowa Corn - Corn Products Be sure to click all the links on the side in light grey. (6 pages total) Very informative.
Chewing Gum: I've actually yet to find a chewing gum (except maybe during Kosher for Passover) that is completely corn-free.
Penicillin Production: It may not be enough anymore to make sure the fillers are corn-free. Its the medication itself that may do us in.
Intravenous Solutions: IV's. Hospitals, surgeries, emergencies. Its a scary enough thought on its own without worrying about getting poisoned from an IV.
Mattresses: Nothing quite like a good nights rest on a bed of corn.

Illinois Corn - Corn Products
Tires: Tires made from corn. Gas and Tires made from corn. Soon we'll be driving a corn-cob.
Golf Tees: Ecotee biodegradable golf tees.
Corn Stoves & Furnaces: As if the harvest months aren't bad enough for airborne corn, now your winter months can share in corn smoke drifting through the air.
De-Icers: For those of you that live in colder climates, be careful. (check out the next link for more information on which brands to definately avoid)

To search for other products made from corn, aka search for products to avoid, the National Corn Growers Association has set up a very handy webpage about corn based products which is searchable by product applications, and company name. Corn-based Products Search Engine

Companies to watch out for:
Brevoxyl Creamy Wash by Stiefel (acne wash)
Desitin Baby Powder (Pfizer)
Earth Friendly Products (cleaning products)
Natural Soy Products (hand soap)
SoyGreen - Soy Technologies (degreaser and finish stripping solvents)
World's Best Cat Litter.

Pages to make sure you read:
Corn Products broken down by derivative source.
New uses of corn.
Primary Products from Corn.
Tapping the Treasure: Detailed breakdown of corn use in products

General Mills - Gold Medal Flour - Corn-Free

2006-09-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

A letter posted on Delphi from General Mills confirms their Gold Medal flours to be corn-free, including enrichments.

They also do the lawyer speak about freedom to change formulas at any time and that you need to check the ingredient list every time.

But it looks like good news.

The Organic, unbleached, enriched flour was tested and seems to be ok. If you've had any problems with their flours (ie. a corn allergy/intolerance reaction), please post a comment.

**** 10/27/06 Update: The Gold Medal All-Purpose flour was tested and reactions were reported. Use with caution with this flour.

Tackling the CODEX - Corn Allery Concerns

2006-09-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

The Codex. For those of us who've been around the block and researched every nook and cranny of our food, we've found in our searches references to the Codex, which is the bible of international food safety and labeling standards.

However, finding it and understanding what it is and what it means.. Lets just say its not easy. So first, some history.

In the 1960's, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and WHO (World Health Organization) created a special commission to develop food standards, guidelines, etc. as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. This commission is called: The Codex Alimentarius Commission.

For more history on the Codex Alimentarius Commission: Origins of the Codex Alimentarius

The General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius state: “The publication of the Codex Alimentarius is intended to guide and promote the elaboration and establishment of definitions and requirements for foods to assist in their harmonization and in doing so to facilitate international trade.”
A principal concern of national governments is that food imported from other countries should be safe and not jeopardize the health of consumers or pose a threat to the health and safety of their animal and plant populations.

To read up more on the Codex Alimentarius: Understanding the Codex Alimentarius

To avoid too much confusion, the Codex and the Codex Alimentarius Commission aren't the same thing though they share names. When sites refer to the Codex, they are most generally referring to the document of food standards and pratices set up by the commission, not the commission itself, such is the case in this article.

You can find the Codex on the Codex Alimentarius site. There are several documents and a ton of legalese, but once you know what you're looking for, you might find the answers there rather scary.

Main problems with the current Codex standards (mainly labeling):

"4.2.1.4 The following foods and ingredients are known to cause hypersensitivity and shall always be declared:[4] "

Of the following foods such as: wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, seafood, eggs, fish, milk, tree nuts, and sulfites.. Corn is not mentioned or included. We need to get this changed.

"4.2.1.3 Where an ingredient is itself the product of two or more ingredients, such a compound ingredient may be declared, as such, in the list of ingredients, provided that it is immediately accompanied by a list, in brackets, of its ingredients in descending order of proportion (m/m). Where a compound ingredient (for which a name has been established in a Codex standard or in national legislation) constitutes less than 5% of the food, the ingredients, other than food additives which serve a technological function in the finished product, need not be declared."

So if you have an ingredient such as turkey broth and the corn starch in it is less than 5% of the total food ingredients, it doesn't have to be listed.

"4.2.4.1 A food additive carried over into a food in a significant quantity or in an amount sufficient to perform a technological function in that food as a result of the use of raw materials or other ingredients in which the additive was used shall be included in the list of ingredients. The exemption does not apply to food additive and processing aids listed in section 4.2.1.4.
4.2.4.2 A food additive carried over into foods at a level less than that required to achieve a technological function, and processing aids, are exempted from declaration in the list of ingredients. The exemption does not apply to food additives and processing aids listed in section 4.2.1.4."

This is one of the reasons why we need corn listed in section 4.2.1.4. This is one of the ways that corn derivatives get sneaked into products and not labeled. This means corn starch used to clean equipment isn't labeled. Citric acid washes aren't labeled. Corn starch used to line the packaging isn't labeled.

The "significant quantity" mentioned in 4.2.4.1 is addressed in the Codex - General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) which has some scary levels for some of these additives.

Words (abbreviations) that you'll see often:
GSFA - General Standard for Food Additives
GRAS - Generally Reguarded as Safe
GMP - Good Manufacturing Practices

Codex - Food Labelling
Codex - General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) (on page - click to view current version of this. You'll need to have Acrobat Reader installed as it is a PDF)
Codex - Current Official Standards (also gives dates on when it was last reviewed)

My brain is all fuzzy from reading all these pages, so if you find something I missed or a correction needed. Please leave a comment.

Surviving Parenthood and Corn Allergies

2006-09-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

Living with a corn allergy often feels like you’re living with a walking bomb, just waiting to be set off. But when it comes to life with kids, there are certain risks you might not otherwise even think about. Whether your child is the one with the corn allergy, or you are, the risk of exposure is there. Even if you know not to eat the offending product, touching your face or sweeping the hair out of your eyes (and then getting your hair in your mouth…something you don’t even think about) can be enough to “get” you.

A list of potential risks:

Baby Wipes (often used for quick “hand washing” after a messy activity.)
Balloons (May be dusted on the inside with corn starch. Use caution when blowing them up)
Crayons (Binder may be corn derived, the molds they are made in may be dusted with corn starch, imbedding corn starch into the crayons, the paper on the crayons may use a corn based adhesive.)
Facial Tissues (some are dusted with cornstarch. Offer to donate some boxes that are safe. Scott’s Tissue is one corn free brand)
Finger paints (Preschools love to use food as finger paint. There are pudding, kool aide and egg based finger paints.)
Hand sanitizers
Oobleck or Gloop: This is a compound made by mixing corn starch and water. It is super cool to play in and has many merits as a chemistry lesson. It is not a good tactile experience for someone with corn allergies, or for a volunteer parent with corn allergies to help mix. Cornstarch is easily airborne, and can be inhaled through the mouth triggering allergic reactions.)
Paper mache (watch out for the glue solution used in the project, as well as the balloons that need to be blown up)
Plaster of paris projects (the mixture may contain corn derivatives. Especially be careful during the mixing process, as the dry mix becomes airborne)
Plastic toys: Soft plastic toys are often coated with somethng to keep them from sticking to the package, or to keep them soft and pliable. This substance is always non-toxic, but could cause an allergic reaction...and could be derived from corn. So far, companies have responded to our inquiries that they use a proprietary formula and can not reveal the ingredients, nor confirm or deny the presence of corn. So consumer beware. If you or your child experience an allergic reaction to a new toy, you can contact the manufacturer to report it and they will arrange for a full refund of the purchase price.
Play dough (may contain corn. Many clays do, whether they are home made or store bought. Ascertain the ingredients if the class makes their own or contact the company.)
Shaving Cream (This is used as a finger paint and sometimes to clean tables)

Its also important, as a parent, to know when food or food products might be used as a part of the curriculum or classroom activities.

Parties are obviously risky, and it is wise to make sure your child has safe treats on hand in the classroom, as well as a plan in place for the teacher to notify you in case of any upcoming birthdays; so that your child can be provided with a comparable cookie or cupcake.

The most popular party themes are: Halloween (a corn allergy nightmare in and of itself) Thanksgiving feasts (cornbread, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and eggnog are popular offerings) Christmas (Gingerbread houses, decorating cookies, and candy handouts are common throughout the Christmas season), Valentines day (a lot of schools embrace non religious holidays as “universally” celebrated and go all out with parties and candy and projects), St Patricks day (Yeah, I know, the first big St Pattys day celebration was a shock to me, too, but there are leprechaun hunts, golden candy coins, shamrock cookies, “green” themed parties (with lime jello, green punch, green popsicles, etc); Easter (Some schools still have Easter parties, including candy filled egg hunts, decorating eggs or egg shaped cookies etc. There are also “Spring themed” parties where kids decorate cupcakes or cookies with cornstarch thickened frosting and all manner of corn sweetened candies) End of school brings more parties. Many schools also use pizza or ice cream parties as incentives for class accomplishments. Usually parents are notified, but sometimes as little as a nights notice is given. Field trips can also involve food (a trip to the pizza parlor, for example)

Certain curriculum themes lend themselves well to food manipulatives as well. The gingerbread Boy, Hansel and Gretel, Johnny Appleseed and The Mayflower are just a few examples of food friendly curriculum.

As a parent of a food allergic child, you should be prepared to volunteer a lot of time in the classroom to keep your child safe. Asking to be “room mother” gives you a lot of control over party planning. As a food allergic parent, its just as vital to know when *not* to volunteer. Its really hard to walk away when asked to mix up a big batch of Oobleck or to blow up a half dozen balloons, but your health depends on it. (And no, just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you should be a martyr to your kids. They need you to drive them home after school!)

Our society tends to revolve around food. As a parent you can help to make a shift to healthier parties, donating books instead of cookies for birthdays and other new traditions that may not be popular at first. But, other parents will follow and support you. Its not easy to be different, but it’s a lot easier to handle when you are well, and its easiest to stay well (and keep your kids healthy) if you know what to expect.

Organic Gardening using corn? Allergy concern.

2006-09-16T00:58:00.000-07:00

Having a corn allergy for most of us is like setting us back a good 50-100 years. Some of us make our own jams, jellies, and juices. We cook and bake nearly everything from "scratch", using the more pure and unprocessed foods we can find because those are the corn-free ones. We can our own foods for the winter months. We grow our own supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables.

But even with all that effort to keep away from corn, it can still sneak right back in.

I came across a webpage a few days ago about a GM corn that had such high amounts of natural insecticide that it killed bugs that ate it.

Cornell News - Corn kills Monarch Butterflies
DailyNews - ISU Study questions use of Bt Corn

And I wondered what use this GM corn could possibly be used for (I was hoping not food), and now I think I know.

According to The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett, corn gluten meal is a natural weed and feed fertilizer and recommends its use in organic gardening.

And he's not the only one. Homewizard states that most fertilizer preemergent natural products available are made from corn gluten meal. The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) also recommends the use of corn gluten meal for natural gardening.

So while "natural" products may sound good, they may not be good for your corn-free gardening. Watch your labels. Last thing we need is to get sick because we're trying to live healthier.

For more information on corn in fertilizers and herbicides, please click the following link:
Google Search - Corn Gluten Meal

Ethanol - One more place to watch for Corn allergy

2006-09-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Though there hasn't been any research done on corn allergy and ethanol, and I suspect there won't be. Those of us who are very sensitive to corn should at least be aware of its use and where problems may arrise.

Consumer Reports October 2006 edition has a huge article about Ethanol (& E85) and its viability as a gasoline replacement. The article brings up a lot of good points which makes me think that it won't last long and soon they'll find another cheaper way of alternative fuels. (Soy-based products seem to be more economically viable at this point) I highly recommend reading this article as it is very informative, and will make you mad at where our tax dollars and incentives are actually going.

In the meantime, those who have to endure living near Ethanol plants won't be having much fun. I know from personal experience that being within at least 10 miles of an Ethanol plant can set off my allergies. If you want to avoid living near an ethanol plant, here is a list of plant locations where you're not going to want to move (or at least watch to which area of town you move). Click Here for a map of Ethanol refinery locations.

States in order of the number of refineries per State:
Iowa with a whopping 31.
Nebraska has 21.
Minnesota has 17.
South Dakoka has 14.
Kansas has 9.
Illinois has 7.
Indiana and Wisconsin are tied with 6 each.
North Dakota has 5.
California, Colorado, Michigan are tied with 4 each.
Texas has 3.
Kentucky and Ohio are tied with 2 each.
Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Wyoming are tied with 1 each.

The Consumer Reports article also states which states have the most E85 stations open to the public. Which means the more E85, the more potential problems with Ethanol (Corn) being in the air you breathe, let alone the air when you're filling up.
Minnesota has over 200 stations.
Illinois has 101-200 stations.
Iowa, Missouri, South Dakota have 41-100 stations.
Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Wisconsin have 21-40 stations.
Kansas, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas have 11-20 stations.
Colorado, Ohio, Nevada have 6-10 stations.
Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennesee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming have 1-5 stations.
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont currently have none.

Also keep your eyes open for Ethanol in your regular gasoline, as according to the Consumer Reports article, "Ethanol is now blended into 40% of all U.S. gasoline."

Other interesting links about Ethanol:

EPA proposed rule for implementation of renewable fuels standard. (aka Forcing Ethanol to be mixed with all gasoline)

Scarcity of Corn Fuel

Redesigning Crops to Harvest Fuel

Ethanol takes more energy than it produces.

Use of Corn as Fuel may drive up Food Prices (which would be fine for us, since we don't buy foods with corn in it anyway. Though I do wonder if this might make our foods then cheaper?)

New Ethanol Plant - Missouri
New Ethanol Plant - Kansas

The Trouble with Tylenol

2006-09-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

Not long ago I had a headache. It wasn’t a bad headache, but I had to be somewhere and it occurred to me that Tylenol would be really nice.

This doesn’t seem like big news. I can see you frowning at the blog now. “So take some Tylenol and get on with it already.”

I urge you to take out a bottle of Tylenol, or Motrin, or Excedrin. Now, look at the ingredients. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are fine. Now, look closer. You’re looking for the list of “Inactive Ingredients”. This may not be on the bottle at all, you might need to find the insert or the original box. Inactive ingredients are the bits and pieces that turn powdered drugs into pills (or syrup) so that you can take an accurately measured amount.

In the ingredient list, depending on what pain killing product you like to keep on hand, you should see starch, citric acid, maltodextrin, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, mannitol or microcrystalline cellulose. You may also see the more obvious “corn starch” or “high fructose corn syrup”. Any of these ingredients mean a corn allergy sufferer must first make some phone calls before taking the medicine.

I have recently contacted the makers of the main drug companies and a number of smaller companies whose products I found on the shelves of local drug stores. I was told over and over (and over) that the product was not safe for someone with a corn allergy, and that I should contact my dr.

I contacted my doctor.

Her nurse suggested I go to the drug store and buy some Tylenol.

I went to the local pharmacist. Her eyes grew wide as I presented her with my list of potential corn derivatives and she helped me search through the shelves. We discovered that Advil infant drops were probably corn free. I would have to take multiple bottles to make up an adult dose (Which is not reccomended by the manufacturer, by the way.). She suggested I get a prescription written and find a compounding pharmacy.

I called my doctor again. This time I was told to try reading labels.

I called a few companies again. This time I asked if they carried ANY products that would work for pain and be safe for a corn allergic individual. After a long pause I was told that I would need to find a special pharmacist who could formulate my own pain killer using pure acetaminophen (or ibuprofen). Corn is cheap. Its not on the top 8, or even the top 10. Its used widely in all drugs.

So I called my dr again. I started from the beginning and included the fact that I not only have to cook all my food from scratch, but apparently need to make my own pain killers from scratch too. (I think I may have cried a bit. My head was throbbing. Pounding it against the wall wasn't helping any.)

This time the receptionist said someone would call me back. Which they did, several hours later. They told me that Tylenol was not a prescription drug. So I explained the whole story to them.

Finally, the doctor agreed to write a prescription.

So began my search for a pharmacist who was able to compound medicine and understood the scope of a corn allergy. Compounding is a dying art.

I started with my insurance company. They gave me the name of a pharmacy in another state and said they would not cover it mail order. When I pointed out the difficulty with procuring a plane ticket just to pick up an OTC pain killer, they came up with the name of a pharmacy that was a bit closer. Just a 3 or 4 hour drive. Not a big deal, but since I live sandwiched between two major metropolitan areas less than an hour away, I was hoping to find something a bit closer. I called my local pharmacist again.

She had found a compounding pharmacist. My exaltation was short lived, however, when the com[ounding pharmacist explained to me that people with corn allergies just don’t understand that corn starch isn’t really corn. (Its just made from corn) He agreed to compound Tylenol using microcrystalline cellulose. Which I looked up, since its on the corn allergy list. Originally, microcrystalline cellulose was derived from tree bark, however now it is commonly derived from any fibrous plant click here and scroll to #22. He refused to verify the source, since by doing the compounding he would be doing me a huge favor anyways. After all, I’m the one refusing to use corn starch just because it makes me sick.

So I kept looking. I found another pharmacist who was certified to compound. But he really wasn’t interested in compounding an otc strenght pain killer. It wasn’t worth his time or effort. Its available mass produced over the counter under many name brands and generic formulations.

He tried to help me find a suitable OTC medication. They all contained corn. He suggested that inactive ingredients weren’t really active and therefore wouldn’t cause a reaction. I think I started to cry again. He took pity on me and agreed to order the materials and compound some acetaminophen.

Finally, about a month after my headache that I would have liked to have taken something for…I had a small bottle of OTC strength acetaminophen (compounded the old fashioned way) in my hand.

Next time I get a headache, it will be worth its weight in gold.

Wellshire Farms - Allergy Search - Corn Contamination

2006-09-09T15:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I have Good News and Bad News.

Good News: Wellshire Farms has an Allergy Database on their website. Which allows you to search for foods without your allergies. HURRAH!

Bad News: For corn its not very accurate. Things listed being corn-free may not be. One person took the list provided to the grocery store only to find the packages claiming corn. Another person reacted to supposedly corn-free items, only to find out later that the packaging is dusted with corn starch.

**** Update: Wellshire Farm's lactic acid culture is corn-based. This information is also not included in the Wellshire Farms allergy-search for corn.

Whole Foods - 365 sodas - Corn Allergy caution

2006-09-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Whole Foods, a store many of us use often to provide us with corn-free foods, has changed their 365 sodas to be corn-free or so they claim.

"Von,
Corn syrup has not been an ingredient in the 365 Everyday Value Canned Sodas (all flavors) for many years. The citric acid is sourced from citrus fruits. There is no corn in this product.
Thank you for your support of Whole Foods Market.
Christina|Whole Foods Market Private Label|
privatelabel.customerservice@wholefoods.com
Whole Foods Market| 550 Bowie St | Austin TX 78703|
phone 512.477.5566 x20020|fax:512.482.7650|
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products"

So being the doubter I always am, I wrote them again specifically asking about any corn in their natural flavors.

"Von,
The citric acid for our 365 colas is from citrus. There is 0.15 to 0.17 grams per 100 milliliter of citric acid in the sodas. This is about 0.5 or one half gram per can of soda
None of the flavors are distilled from corn alcohol.
I hope this answers your questions and enjoy the sodas!!
Jason Hays
Product Information Associate, Private Label
550 Bowie | Austin, TX 78703 | (p) 512.542.0581 | (f) 512.482.7581"

So they should be corn-free right? So many of us set about the next step of verifying corn-free status. Human Guinea Pigging.

I, myself, got brave and tried them. I tried the Cherry Vanilla flavor. I didn't like the taste much but for testing purposes I drank the whole can. After a few minutes, I started feeling funky. Then the corn reaction started setting in. I was (and still am) really regretting drinking the whole can.

Several others have also said they've reacted to this product. Avoiding Corn Forum - 365 sodas

If you can tolerate corn-derived citric acid, ethyl alcohols, etc. in other products, this product will most likely not be a problem for you. But for those of us who react to even the smallest drop of corn derivative, I would not consider the 365 sodas a dietary option.

Organic Valley Dairy Products - Confirmed Corn

2006-09-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Organic Valley has been a staple in many of our homes as one of the "safe" corn-free milks out there.

While their milks are still corn-free (except any processed at plant 55-1224), some of their other products contain corn or have a possible corn contamination.

Unsafe Organic Valley products: (original post)

Ultra-pasteurized Heavy Whipping Cream

Chocolate Milk

Lactose-Free Milk

Buttermilkand Buttermilk Powder

Eggnog

All Soy products

Sour Cream

Also, the following Organic Valley cheeses are put into packaging that is dusted with cornstarch.

Raw Sharp & Raw Milk Cheddar
Feta
Pepper Jack
Provolone
Mozzarella
Muenster
Baby Swiss

Thanks to Catherine for investigating and reporting this information.

Why you can't cook for me. An editorial.

2006-09-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

Food. It seems that every social event that takes place in the United States revolves around food. Lets meet for coffee. Lets do lunch. Lets celebrate at your favorite restaurant. Got a cram session for finals? Order pizza. Had a rotten day? Ben and Jerry to the rescue.

America has a love affair with food. But if you have food allergies, social scenes can be a real nightmare. (If you can’t get around the idea that someone with food allergies might not want to just sit and socialize with friends who ARE eating at a restaurant ask yourself this…would you really be smiling and relaxed sipping a glass of water and staring at a brownie that you knew had been laced with arsenic? The ambience is nice, but the poison would probably make you uncomfortable.)

Some well meaning friends try to get around the restaurant hassle by “simply” inviting their allergy suffering friends over for dinner. This sounds like a great idea. Its very thoughtful, and anyone with an allergy will appreciate the gesture. But, especially if the problem is CORN, we’ll say no, thank you. We don’t want to be rude. We aren’t saying anything against your cooking. We simply know how hard it was to learn our restrictions, and really don’t want to take a risk. (Honestly, you’re not going to feel too good if we race from your table to the hospital.)

What could go wrong? The most obvious problem is the reading of ingredients. Unless you are cooking from scratch garden-style, there will be plenty of ingredients to read, and you need to know how to read a label. A can of roasted tomatoes containing tomatoes, citric acid, and salt is not safe for corn allergic individuals. Many brands of fresh meat are not safe for corn allergic individuals. Bagged salad greens are not safe for corn allergic individuals. Its crazy, it’ll make you crazy, it makes *us* crazy…but its true. We’ve had a steep learning curve and we just don’t want any more mistakes. Especially since there are no medications available to counteract our symptoms. They all contain corn. So if we get “corned,” we have to wait the reaction out or risk making it worse. Your famous spaghetti sauce with Aunt Myra’s secret ingredients isn’t worth that risk. Sorry.

Another serious potential problem is cross contamination. If you use a wooden spoon to stir the spaghetti, any protein particles buried in the porous wood from that big batch of corn bread you baked last Christmas can be released into the cooking water. Any bacteria are long dead, its not a health hazard. But it is an allergy risk. Crumbs in the knife rack pose a hazard, as does the kitchen sponge you use to swipe off the counters and the kitchen towel you’ve been drying your hands on all week.

And then there’s the simple risk of autopilot. We all use it. In fact, most allergy sufferers have “gotten” themselves multiple times in the beginning by going on autopilot. My husband has a good friend with a dairy allergy. His new in laws went to great lengths to make him some dairy free breadsticks. But they inadvertently poisoned him by buttering the pan. It was automatic, the butter was handy, they didn’t even realize what they’d done until he was at the hospital. For corn allergy sufferers, the risks increase, as corn truly is everywhere.

I think its sufficient to say…you can’t cook for me. Its not your food, or your cooking ability. It’s the corn.

The hidden risks in your own kitchen

2006-09-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

Once we’d confirmed that food was the main culprit in my health problems, the kitchen became a very important place. I could no longer eat out. It was too risky. There was no “Oh rats, I burned dinner. Lets order pizza.” A burnt dinner meant dinner was a little on the crunchy side. And maybe a little extra dessert.

We also learned the hard way how important it was to clean out the kitchen and start new.

At first, I thought it would be okay to slowly weed out the things I couldn’t use. I tried to foist oatmeal off on the kids, but kept getting “just a little” sick each time I made it. I made cookies for the bake sale, thinking it was fine as long as I didn’t taste any. And managed to drop them off at the bake sale before high tailing it home to be near my own bath room.

My husband made rice. He stirred it with a wooden spoon and served to me before seasoning his own. I spent the rest of the night hugging a heating pad.

What went wrong? The problem is simply a matter of *cross contamination*. When baking with flour, have you ever noticed those cute little white smudges that appear on nose and cheeks, or little flour hand prints where you wipe your hands? Well, a few flecks of flour never hurt anyone who can eat the end product. Even if the flecks end up on a clean glass, or in a water cup, or transferred back to your hands when you dry them off before grabbing an apple, they are harmless. But, if you have celiac disease…or are allergic to the wheat or the corn in the vitamins used to enrich the wheat, those flecks of flour are dangerous.

For the newly diagnosed, there are many dangers lurking in the kitchen. When baking, I used to often use the same measuring spoons in all of my dry ingredients. Flour and sugar get mixed in the bowl, why not use the same measuring cup? But when I went gluten free…my 5 lb bag of sugar attacked me. Last time I had made cookies, I’d measured out the flour, then dipped the cup into the sugar. Likewise…many spices contained traces of baking powder (which contains corn starch). All opened baking ingredients had to go.

Another potential hazard comes from seasoned non stick bakeware. The lovely flavor that cast iron skillets are prized for comes from the foods that have been previously cooked in them. And why can’t you scrub them with soap? Because if you do, the food prepared in them later will taste of soap. For the general public, it’s a matter of taste. For those with food allergies, it’s a health hazard.

Anything porous is dangerous. Ever look very closely at a wooden spoon? They have all sorts of lovely nooks and crannies. Perfect spots for grains of flour, particles of corn syrup, or a bit of baking powder to hide. And be released later into a big pot of soup or stew. Pre used wooden utensils must go.

A great guide to de-contaminating the kitchen (This was designed for people with celiacs, but works for other food allergies as well) is found here: How To De-Contaminate the Kitchen.

And a list of potential sources of cross contamination: (again, written with celiacs in mind, but a good basic guideline) : Cross-Contamination: Potential Issues.

Current Testing for Corn Allergy Unreliable

2006-09-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

There is a good article about the unreliability of corn allergy testing methods published by an unbelieable source.

Corn Refiners Association

Their Food Safety Information Papers (PDF) describe very well how inaccurate current testing is in reguards to corn allergy, and even states that not much research has been devoted to corn allergy.

Their point of the article is to claim that corn isn't an allergy risk or at least not a big one for the general population, but I found the article much more pertinent to proving that they don't know enough about it to really make that statement.

"Though allergens in other food systems have been well characterized, very little work has been devoted to identifying allergens in corn or corn ingredients."

It also gives an explaination for the unreliability of the testing methods used today such as RAST and the skin prick test.

"Most corn allergy diagnoses reported in the scientific literature are based upon results from the skin prick test or radioallergosorbent test (RAST). However, these tests do not give reliable results with corn extracts because of the strong botanical similarities between corn and grasses, and the likelihood of cross-reaction with pre-existing grass pollen antibodies."

While the CRA is trying to prove that corn allergy is less likely than it shows on tests, those of us who've had the unreliable testing done know that those tests are unreliable both ways. You can test positive and not be allergic to it, or you can test negative and still be allergic to it.

What we need is more accurate testing, and more research into defining the allergens in corn. According to the article, the only true way to detect a corn allergy is by the use of double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Yet when most of us with a corn allergy have gone to our doctors about this very problem, our doctors are completely unwilling to do such testing.

And honestly, with today's food supply.. It would be nearly impossible to conduct such a study accurately to make certain the subjects were corn-free when doing a placebo. Because, if you can't make a corn-free testing diet, how can you accurately measure a test of corn diet?

New Breed of Corn

2006-08-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

Low-carb corn is it on the shelf near you?

It started as a way to help people starving in third world countries. But we all know thats not where its going to stop.

"If the prototype corn can be grown commercially it could find a market among the crowd following low-carbohydrate diets, for whom standard sweetcorn is not allowed."

The article is from 2004, I can only imagine how much progress has been made on it since.

I can see it being advertised now.. GMO corn, better than the real thing.

Allergies and Immunizations - Is it worth the risk?

2006-08-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

(updated 8/2011)

Many immunization drugs are made with allergens. Whether it be corn, soy, beef, egg, milk, lactose, MSG, or yeast, the risks of getting the shots may or may not be worth it.

First, let me address why to immunize..

Immunizations started as a way to fight diseases before they could become epidemics. Most immunizations are for diseases known to kill, or severely maim humans. Many are for diseases which are highly communicable. Thus all states require immunizations in order for a child to attend school. You can get exemptions, but I'll address that hassle later.

It is important to consider the risks of not immunizing as well the risks of immunization. There is a good informative article on immunizations at Quackwatch.org, which talks about the importance of immunizing which the writers at Quackwatch will probably think the rest of my article here to be "quackery"..

For recommended list of vaccinations/immunizations go to the CDC:
Child Immunization Scheduler
Child/Adolescent Immunizations
Adult Schedule

Also at the CDC, make sure to check out the VIS or vaccine information statements which answer many questions about what the disease is that the vaccine will try to prevent, when to get it, what to expect, etc.

Now onto the really scary stuff.

Many vaccines/immunizations use fillers, carriers, etc to get the actual vaccine/immunization into the body in a viable way. Which means, you may have to decide whether to take the chance of getting a disease which might kill you or getting the vaccine which might kill you.

That is why I'm writing this.. Its better to be educated ahead of time, and know your risks, so you're prepared.

Getting ahold of the ingredients of an injection ahead of time, may be impossible as most health care providers who perform these injections are not well versed in allergies and probably won't have what you need to know. So the more you know before you go in, the better off you'll be. If you have a reliable cooperative doctor, you may be able to get this information (vaccine insert) ahead of time to check with the manufacturer about possible allergens.

Check this PDF (you'll need Adobe Reader - a free software) for a list of ingredients in immunizations, to see if your child may be at risk for a severe allergic reaction. Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary see also this PDF.

You'll also want to check the CDC's contraindications chart.

In case of a severe reaction, contact the your doctor and CDC. A Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System form needs to be filed. You can contact the CDC about this at 1-800-822-7967.

There is also a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program ( 1-800-338-2382 ) which is to help provide assistance for those having adverse reactions. More information about filing a claim can be found at their site: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/

If you read through the Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary (also PDF) or the CDC's contraindications chart and you want to get out of having a vaccine, you're going to want to get the ball rolling and be prepared ahead of time.

You will want to call your local or state health department's immunization program. They should be able to provide you with forms you'll need to have filled out. There are usually two reasons for exemptions on this: Religious reasons, Health Reasons. Health reasons usually require a doctors signature or statement.

Your child's school will also need to be notified and proper forms filled out.

More Information links about Vaccines and Immunizations:

Mercury Vaccines? (also contains manufacturer names for possible contact)

Australian Site: Ingredients & Purpose in Immunizations. Vaccine Components & Constituents

Anti-vaccine information with a Christian oriented religious vaccine waiver

More information about getting a waiver to avoid a vaccination:

How to legally avoid unwanted immunizations

More Reading:

Immunizations and Gut Disorders - possible connections

Don't settle for the quick, easy answers

2006-08-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

All too many times, I've called a company to ask whether there are any corn- or soy-derived ingredients in a product, only to get a quick and easy, "No, our product does not contain any corn," answer.

However, I've discovered that I can't necessarily accept that answer. Usually when I explain that ingredients such as vitamins, yeast, and alcohol in flavorings are often corn-derived or manufactured using corn, they will change their tune. I frequently find myself educating food company representatives about the various ingredients in their products.

Occasionally a company will research it for me and in 9 cases out of 10 will discover that their "corn-free" product actually does contain corn. More frequently they just tell me that they have no way to find out the ingredients of their ingredients, so they can't know for sure whether their product contains a specific allergen or not.

Cascadian Farms Purely O's cereal is a great example of why it's so hard for consumers to get accurate information about which products contain corn. Several corn-allergic people have been told by the company that the product is corn-free. It's on the "safe list" at the Delphi Forums Avoiding Corn community. One would think it was pretty well confirmed corn-free.

The first time I called Cascadian Farms (a branch of General Mills), the customer service representative I spoke to said that Purely O's did not contain any corn or corn derivatives whatsoever, and was also free of soy.

But when my baby refused to eat the Purely O's cereal after trying it a few times (even though she loved it the first time she ate it), I began to wonder. She often refuses initially well-liked foods when they make her feel badly, and usually I later find out that they contain corn or soy.

By this time I was more educated. I now knew more of what to look for on a label that might indicate undeclared corn or soy ingredients. Many of the additives on the Purely O's ingredient list, particularly some of the added vitamins, were items frequently derived from or manufactured using corn or soy derivatives.

So I called the company again. But this time I didn't just ask if the cereal had corn or soy in it. I asked specifically if any of the vitamins were derived from corn or soy, pointing out a few of the most common culprits such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E in particular.

I called several times and e-mailed them once, and still it took over a month before they had an answer. They apparently had to contact each of the vitamin manufacturers individually to try to get the information. This which would indicate to me that this had not been done previously when I and others inquired about corn-derived ingredients in the product.

This morning I got a telephone call from a representative at the company. She said they still hadn't been able to get information on the sources of all the vitamins yet. But she had been able to find out for sure that the Cascade Farms Purely O's cereal DOES contain corn derivatives. She said that she does not think it contains any soy derivatives, but it definitely does contain corn derivatives.

I've reached the point now that most of the time if there is any ingredient that can be corn- or soy-derived in a product, I just assume that it is. I've been told too many times that a product didn't contain corn or soy, only to find out upon further prodding or upon dealing with an allergic reaction that the product actually did contain an allergen it was supposedly free of.

In order to protect ourselves, we do have to ask very specific questions and push for deeper answers. People dealing with severe allergies or sensitivities simply cannot trust any manufactured foods without very careful research. Unfortunately, we can't necessarily take the manufacturer's word for it either.

Just because the manufacturer says something doesn't contain corn doesn't necessarily mean that's true.

Where's the Corn allergy in Coffee?

2006-08-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

Do you wake up in the morning and grab a steaming cup of coffee before you head to work? Get a coffee fix for your morning break?

Seems normal right? Its brewed roasted beans, so what could be wrong with that?

Everyday, we avid corn avoiders find our foods constantly being contaminated with corn. And coffee is one of them.

For years now, many of us have known the dangers of places like Starbucks with their wicked corn-lined disposable coffee cups, the corn-based "natural" flavors they add, or other contaminates. But now before us looms a scarier villain.

Maltodextrin.

You may think.. “Well of course I know maltodextrin comes from corn, but what does this have to do with my morning coffee?”

They’re putting maltodextrin in your coffee.

In our time of convenience foods, conveyor belts, prepackaging, grab-n-go lifestyle.. Companies are finding new and cheaper ways to process food into these easy time saving conveniences.

According to a Canadian corn farmers site in Ontario, corn IS in your coffee. And here is why:

“Maltodextrins are derived from the wet milling process. They are a dextrose equivalent product of complete solubility but little or no sweetness. Maltodextrins are sprayed on instant tea and coffee to keep the granules free flowing. This solution is also used in instant soup mixes or other packages where the contents must be kept free flowing.”

Now while you think that you’re safe because you don’t drink instant, keep reading.

According to Jewish Kosher research:“Decaffeinated coffee is produced by soaking the green beans in a solvent that removes virtually all of the caffeine, after which the beans are dried and subsequently roasted. Chemicals used for this process include methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, super critical carbon dioxide, and carbonated water.”

That just makes you want to go grab a cup of decaf now doesn’t it? MMmm yummy chemicals and one of those comes from corn.

Wikipedia: Ethyl acetate is an ester that is synthesized from acetic acid and ethanol in the presence of strong acids like concentrated sulfuric acid in an esterification reaction.

Ethanol = corn. All you have to do is watch those new GM commercials to figure that out.

But what about your regular coffee?

“As such, some authorities insist on a Hashgacha for all roasted coffee for Pesach, since both regular and decaffeinated beans are typically roasted on the same equipment. .” (hashgacha = kosher supervision)

It’s roasted on the same equipment.

Other concerns about coffee also may include:

”Historically, when coffee became very expensive, manufacturers had added less flavorful, but more economical, vegetation to their product, including chicory and grain that, when roasted with coffee, produced an acceptable product. While chicory poses no Kashrus concern for Pesach, roasted grains would be considered Chometz and, although the use of such additives would be indicated on the product label, they are also roasted in the same equipment as regular coffee.”

And one of those grains very well could be corn. As corn has been used for decades as an early Native American “coffee”.

As a footnote, I do have to thank the Jewish religion and its followers for their intense research into foods and how they’re made. For those of us with grain (corn) allergies, they’re information is an honest God-send.

Another site for more info: A 2006 document on Corn Refining Industry Product Use lists corn starch and corn dextrins as being in rice and coffee polish. (Page 36)

More info on how beans are processed: ZeCuppa Coffee - Coffee Terms Farming/Processing

Benefits of Food Allergies

2006-08-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

In reading some recommended links with advice for newly diagnosed food-allergic adults , I found on the same site something so fun and hilarious I just had to share it.

Good Things About Having Food Allergies

While some "good things" were rather mundane like:

#9: You'll naturally ingest less artificial food colorings, flavorings, and preservatives.

Other "Good Things" cracked me up:

# 21: If you run out of one ingredient needed for a recipe, you'll know how to substitute.

# 22: You'll never have to make lousy excuses for not eating at a friend's house who doesn't know how to cook.

# 31: You are able to dictate to your close relatives where you want to eat (if you're capable of eating out) when you go out

Food Allergy Initiative - Good but No Corn?

2006-08-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the last few days, I've been doing research and reading up on FAST, an online allergy support group.

They seem like a great group, but navigating their site was causing me all sorts of problems with my browser.

What I did find was a supportive link of theirs to another site which researches food allergies, Food Allergy Initiative. No where on this FAI site did I find anything to do with corn allergy. Their only concerns are: Peanuts, Eggs, Milk, Seafood, Wheat, Tree Nuts, Soy, Fish.

I have written them to ask about why they leave out corn, but I haven't heard back. Maybe this is another company that we need to onslaught with corn allergy information.

Food Allergy Initiative
1414 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1804
New York, NY 10019

Food Allergy Initiative - Full Contact Info.

Allergy Apparel - The New Fashion Statement to Save Your Life

2006-08-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Parents of allergic children.. Have you ever wanted to put a post-it on your child's head stating "Do Not Feed The Bear" ? Or other similar warning of not giving the child anything unless you ok it?

Well NOW you can.. Allergy Wear is here!

CafePress.com Allergy

There are tshirts, mugs, pins.. Galore!

**Disclaimer: no-corn.blogspot.com is not affiliated nor makes any profit from the sale of these items. The sale of these items does however profit FAST an online allergy support group.