Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) has a new look! We have redesigned our logo, our website, and our Safe Eats® Allergy-Friendly Recipe Collection to better help you manage your child’s food allergies with confidence. We asked for feedback from our online community for parents, health care providers, and other KFA stakeholders. Based on that feedback, we redesigned the KFA website to improve accessibility and support for people managing food allergies. Here are some of the changes you may...

The manufacturers of epinephrine devices have extended their U.S. savings programs through 2023. Epinephrine is the only treatment for a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis [anna-fih-LACK-sis]. It is only available through a prescription by your doctor. Most prescriptions come with two auto-injectors in one box. People with food allergies should have epinephrine with them at all times. For children, this might mean that you need extra epinephrine auto-injectors. For example, your...

As we approach 2023, we look back on the strides we made throughout 2022 to advance the health and safety of the food allergy community. We are grateful for all we have been able to accomplish with your help. Because you gave generously, we were able to support, educate, and advocate for the millions of people with food allergies so they can have a better quality of life. Below are some of the ways you helped us fulfill our mission this year. In 2022, you helped us: Update our brand,...

It is safe for ALL people (6 months and older) with an egg allergy to get a flu vaccine every year. This is true no matter how severe your egg allergy was in the past. This includes people who have had anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) to egg. Five organizations recommend that people get the flu vaccine every year, even if they have an egg allergy. These organizations are: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) American Academy...

We thank Enjoy Life Foods for sponsoring this blog post to help us share information about candy options for children with food allergies. This is a sponsored post and is not an endorsement of any company or its products, nor is it a guarantee of the products’ safety. The funding we received for this advertisement helps support our free food allergy and asthma programs. The scary part of Halloween should be stories of witches and ghosts, not the candy. Food-centered holidays can be stressful...

Updates as of July 26, 2022: We have updated this blog post to reflect the most recent recommendations from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As more information becomes available, we will continue to update our community. The COVID-19 vaccine is an important part of reducing the spread of the coronavirus , ending the pandemic, and protecting ourselves and other people. It can reduce your chance of severe COVID-19,...

Ahh, summer. The sun is shining, the kids are out of school, and things just seem a little less hectic. When you think back to your own childhood summers, chances are delicious frozen desserts play a part in your memories. Why? Because after swimming, riding bikes, hanging out with friends, or finding other ways to enjoy fun in the sun, there’s just nothing like a delicious frozen treat to cool you down. When the temperature goes up, it’s time to explore the Kids With Food Allergies’ Safe...

If you have a child with food allergies, how do you decide when they are ready to carry epinephrine and/or use that epinephrine themselves if they are having a severe allergic reaction? Epinephrine is the only treatment for severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis [anna-fih-LACK-sis]. It gets injected into the outer thigh. It comes in a device that helps you give the injection. Epinephrine must be given quickly when symptoms begin. For this reason, it’s important to always have...

We thank Enjoy Life Foods for their sponsorship of this blog post to help parents manage their child’s food allergies. This is a sponsored post and is not an endorsement of any company or its products, nor is it a guarantee of the products’ safety. The funding we received for this advertisement helps support our free food allergy programs. Around the U.S., school days are winding down! And for parents of children with food allergies, now is the time to start preparing for the next school...

Here it is – our Easter candy list for food allergy-friendly sweets! If you are filling baskets for your loved ones with food allergies, use this list as a shopping guide. We have put together a list of allergy-friendly candies for Easter and other special occasions. This information is for your convenience only and was last verified in March 2021. It is not an endorsement or a guarantee of the product’s safety. Always read ingredient labels. Contact the manufacturer, if needed, to confirm...

Many children with food allergies have other allergic diseases – like asthma, eczema, and nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) . If your child sniffles and sneezes more with the changing seasons, pollen allergies could be the cause. Allergic sensitivity to airborne pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds can cause allergy symptoms. The reason many children have related allergic conditions is because of the "allergic march" or “atopic march.” It often starts with dry skin, which may lead to...

On Feb. 25, 2022, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the Elijah-Alavi Foundation (EAF) released the “Child Care Policies for Food Allergy: Elijah’s Law Report for the U.S. States and Territories.” Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) is the food allergy division of AAFA. Our report looks at state and U.S. territory child care licensing regulations against nine policy standards. The standards aim to protect children with food allergies in child care settings. The report also...

We thank Perfect Day for their sponsorship of this blog post to help us share information about milk allergy and animal-free milk proteins. This is a sponsored post and is not an endorsement of any company or its products. The funding we received for this sponsorship helps support our free food allergy programs. Perfect Day set out to create dairy products that are like cow’s milk but are better for our climate. Perfect Day’s product is just like whey, a protein found in milk. But it’s made...

The standard recommendation to prevent allergic reactions is to remove the food allergen from the diet of the person with the food allergy. But one type of treatment, called food oral immunotherapy (OIT) , exposes them to small amounts of the food allergen. But before you consider it, it helps to know what it is, how it works, and the risks and benefits. OIT is a food allergy treatment that retrains your child’s immune system to respond differently to food. It helps the body gradually...

Teal is the color of food allergy awareness and teal pumpkins have become the symbol of food allergy awareness at Halloween. When you see a teal pumpkin, it means non-food treats are available for kids with food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Kids With Food Allergies has tips to help you have a safer and more inclusive Tealoween. 1. Raise awareness about food allergies and being inclusive. Change your social media profile picture to show people you support a safer, more inclusive...

Update as of Sept. 2, 2021: We have updated our Teal Classroom™: Food Allergy Awareness Kit! This version includes updated resources, such as posters, stickers, activity sheets, educational information, and more. Each school year, Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) wants to help parents, teachers, and school staff create healthy and inclusive learning environments for children with food allergies. One resource we offer to school staff is our Teal Classroom™: Food Allergy Awareness Kit . It is...

Has your allergist suggested an oral food challenge ? The thought of feeding your child a food they may be allergic to can be scary. But an oral food challenge is the best way to confirm a food allergy diagnosis. And it can have benefits – whether you get the results you are hoping for or not. What Is an Oral Food Challenge? Simply put, an oral food challenge is where your allergist feeds your child a food to see if they have an allergic reaction. Oral food challenges are the gold standard...

You have daily food allergy management down pat. Your child's epinephrine auto-injectors go everywhere. The allergist is on speed dial. You know the best local stores and restaurants for safe foods. You've trained babysitters and the staff at school. You're ready for anything – right? Think again. Many families are masters at managing daily life with food allergies. But are you ready for emergencies, such as major weather events or power outages, that could leave you stranded for days or...

Update – Aug. 21, 2020 Sixteen leading food allergy experts, including some of our medical advisors , released school guidelines addressing food allergies in light of COVID-19. We have added those recommendations to this blog post. Schools face major challenges as they try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 among staff and students. Schools will follow certain policies and practices to help reduce the spread. This causes many parents to wonder how this will affect...

Cleaning your hands often is one of the easiest and best ways to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 . It can also help reduce the spread of the flu, colds and other respiratory infections . It can also help you prevent foodborne illnesses while cooking, such as salmonella. Handwashing can also reduce the chance of food allergy reactions from cross-contact on surfaces. The average person touches their face about 23 times an hour. 1 Your hands come in contact with...