Allergen Question [Red Food Coloring]

[ValiantHeart]

I'm very sorry if this has been asked before, first off!

I've been recently diagnosed with an allergy to red food coloring, and at first I thought I'd be okay if I just stayed away from red things -- Duh, right?

Wrong.

I feel like everything I eat lately has me breaking out into hives, and a lot of packaged foods I can no longer eat because so many of them have red food coloring in them.

Is this something I need to inform Disney of? I don't know how this allergy thing works, really, because my family and I aren;t really allergic to very many things! I know this is nothing like some allergies like tree nuts and dairy, will it limit me very much on the foods I can eat when I go back to the World?

 

[SDSorority]

I'm very sorry if this has been asked before, first off!

I've been recently diagnosed with an allergy to red food coloring, and at first I thought I'd be okay if I just stayed away from red things -- Duh, right?

Wrong.

I feel like everything I eat lately has me breaking out into hives, and a lot of packaged foods I can no longer eat because so many of them have red food coloring in them.

Is this something I need to inform Disney of? I don't know how this allergy thing works, really, because my family and I aren;t really allergic to very many things! I know this is nothing like some allergies like tree nuts and dairy, will it limit me very much on the foods I can eat when I go back to the World?

Yes. Be sure to list it as an allergy when you're making your TS dining reservations. I always print my allergies out on little business cards to give to the chefs at the restaurants, and you better believe that artificial coloring is on there!! We don't eat artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors at home, so if we do by accident, we feel it, and it's not a good feeling!!

As an example, we have gone to the world many times, and most times with different allergies from the time before.

2006-2007- No MSG
2008- No artificial colors, flavors, or MSG
2010- No artificial colors, flavors, or MSG, Vegetarian
2011- No artificial colors, flavors, MSG, Vegetarian, No gluten, No soy, No nuts.

Now, in 2013 when we go, it'll be No artificial colors, flavors, MSG, or gluten, back to eating meat again . So, what we are generally SAFE with are the gluten-free pre-packaged items that we have at home (like Udi's bread, Enjoy Life cookies and chocolate bars, etc.) Also, Babycakes doesn't use artificial dyes, so that might be a good option! Don't be afraid to read labels in the pre-packaged allergy food area in the food courts. I bet you'll find something that you'll be able to have!