Can You Help Me ?

[Sam_Pompey_UK]

I’m 32 and after 6 months I’m still trying to come to terms with the fact, that in November last year over night I seemed to have got a serve allergy to dairy products (via taste, touch or smell) which causes Anaphylaxis. I think I’m stating to come to terms but with the fact of having it but I’m still finding a lot of things confusing, if any one can help with advice I’d be extremely grateful as the hardest thing I find is that people around me just don’t get how much I’m scared. It would be nice to chat to someone who understands.

But the number one thing I need help with is this……

Can I trust vegetarian stuff if I can’t see any dodgy ingredients as someone has said I should be sticking with Vegan stuff friendly labels to be 100% sure

[Pam]

How awful, it must be terrible to know that if you just smell something containing milk you can have a reaction, I think I'd be afraid to go out of the house.

Vegetarian food is no more suitable for someone on a dairy free diet than standard carnivorous food, the only thing guaranteed to be missing is meat or fish. There can be the same hidden ingredients in vegetarian food as in anything else. Food marked suitable for vegans will not contain any animal products whatsoever and therefore should in theory be safe. However, some products that are in themselves suitable for vegans may be made in a factory that also produces non vegan foods and may be at risk of cross contamination (eg Green and Black chocolate - although Plain and Maya Gold contain no milk products the factory also produces a range of milk and white chocolate).

Food manufacturers do not have to list ingredients which do not make up more than 20% (or is it 25%?) of the total content. Someone on this site found that Tesco dark chocolate was labelled as containing milk even though there were no milk products listed in the ingredients. Fortunately the wrapper had the 'Contains Milk' statement on and when queried Customer Services stated the percentage rule.

My best advice to you would be to stick to the free from section or buy the pure ingredients to make most things from scratch and stock up on Epipens just in case. I really don't envy you at all.

[Lan]

Hi Sam,

I fully understand how frightening it is at first to realise that foods are causing problems. My favourite food was always cheese, but it does get easier.

I cannot understand how it feels to have Anaphylaxis on top of that however, as I am lucky enough not to suffer with the condition.

Please note that vegetarians do still eat cheeses, milks etc, the only thing they seem to avoid are meats. Vegan would definitely be your best bet. Your local health food shop and supermarkets should be your first stop. If you ask at customer services in Sainsbury's they will send you a list, stating which foods in their shop are milk free.

Can I also ask where in the UK you are? There maybe a member in your area who can help with advice to nearby shops etcetera.

Well here are the links I promised:

AllergyUK (http://www.allergyfoundation.com)
anaphylaxis (http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk)
Trufree (http://www.trufree.co.uk)
Vegan Society (http://www.vegansociety.com)
Dairyfree Info (http://www.dairyfree.org.uk/article_index.php)
Non Dairy Foods (http://www.dairyfree.org.uk/product_index.php)
D&D Chocolates (http://www.d-dchocolates.com)

I wish you all the luck for future and if you ever need anymore advise,
please do not hesitate to contact us.




Lan.
:hug:

[Copper]

Hi Sam

My reaction to dairy is not as bad as yours and I just can't imagine how you feel. You do have my sympathy and I am sure that we will all do our best to help you.

Pam has given you very good advise. I was the one who got caught out with the plain chocolate in Tesco :( You just have to take the time to read labels when shopping as suitable for vegetarian does not mean dairy free.

If you have a Jewish shop in your area they would be able to sell you food that is dairy free. I live in Poole but work in Bournemouth and I can walk to the Jewish deli in five minutes from work. I explained I was allergic to dairy and they are all very helpful. They sell cakes, biscuits, bread, ice cream, choc spread, pizza etc all dairy free. Their religious laws prohibit the eating of meat and milk together in the same meal, so when they say foods have no dairy products you can rely on them as it is so important to them.