If you have a family member or friend who has food allergies, Christmas can be tough. The holiday season is full of food, which means lots of opportunities to trigger allergic reactions accidentally.
- Keep your home free from allergens. Wash hands frequently with soap and water before handling food. Make sure all surfaces are cleaned to remove any traces of allergens. Use paper towels instead of cloth ones, which might contain dust or mites that can trigger an allergic reaction.
- Before cooking anything, read labels carefully to make sure you’re using ingredients free from your guest’s allergen(s). If there’s any question about an ingredient, contact the manufacturer directly.
- When serving food outside the home, ask if anyone has allergies before preparing it. It’s important to know exactly what your guests can eat so that no one gets sick or hurt by accident.
- If you have a food allergy or intolerance, make sure that all foods in your home are safe for you to eat. This includes anything that’s going to be eaten at holiday parties and events.
- Ask guests before they come over if they have any food allergies or sensitivities so that you can avoid those foods while they’re visiting. If they do have allergies, ask them to bring their own food if possible so that they won’t feel left out of the festivities.
- Keep an eye on children who are young enough not to understand what an allergic reaction means. Make sure they don’t touch any foods containing allergens until after they’ve been cleaned up after the party or event is over; this way there’s no risk of cross contamination if someone accidentally touches something with a certain ingredient in it and then touches another food item that may contain traces of it as well (e.g., peanut butter).
