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Struggles People With Food Allergies Are Facing During the Pandemic | Fi...
Struggles People With Food Allergies Are Facing During the Pandemic | Fi...
Struggles People With Food
Allergies Are Facing During the Pandemic
Some states have started to lift
stay-at-home orders, but most of America is still on lockdown and communities
still rush to stock up on food in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This
creates a problem for people with food allergies as products they need are hard
to come by.
Without access to certain brands,
people with food allergies and special dietary needs have fewer options than
ever and may have to go to great lengths to find items that won’t cause a
reaction. Some of the strategies may actually increase their risk of being
exposed to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. As of May 6,
more than 1.2 million cases had been confirmed in the United States.
24/7 Tempo reviewed information
for people with food allergies from several sources, including Food Allergy Research & Education, to compile a list of
11 struggles people with life-threatening food allergies or special dietary
needs face as a result of food shortages in grocery stores.
Whether people physically go to
the store or use a delivery service to bring groceries to their doorstep, it’s
important, now more than ever, to shop smart. That means minimizing trips to
the store or cutting down on home deliveries by stocking up on foods that have
a long shelf life – these are 20 fast-spoiling foods not to buy during the pandemic.
People with food allergies
already have a restricted diet, and the current pandemic has limited their diet
even more as shelves are consistently empty in stores. This means allergy
sufferers have to find alternative foods that may be unfamiliar. The FDA
requires food manufacturers to list eight common food allergens -- milk, eggs,
fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. There are people
allergic to ingredients that don't have to be listed on food labels. The
presence of uncommon allergens like sesame are sometimes hidden under vague
descriptions like "natural flavors." Seafood, eggs, and dairy
products may also be a source for natural flavor or flavoring.
When people with food allergies
can't find a safe food and takeout is not an option because of unknown cooking
methods and ingredients, it's time to cook. The coronavirus pandemic has fueled
cooking from scratch and home baking, according to a survey by AMC Global, a
market research firm.
Even if all the necessary
allergy-friendly ingredients are available, preparing meals three times a day,
every day, can be stressful. It's not just the cooking, it's the cooking,
serving, and cleaning up -- in addition to working from home -- that makes
cooking from home more often challenging.
If cooking several times a day is
not an option and grocery stores are out of allergy-friendly foods, canned
foods are a possible food choice. But be aware of certain sulfites that are
often used in canned foods in order to preserve the food. Sulfites can cause
allergy-like reactions, including wheezing in people with asthma and skin
rashes.
There is a downside: meats,
fruits, vegetables, soups, and legumes in a can are popular non-perishables
that people have been storing during the pandemic. So eating more canned foods
means you're depleting your food stockpile quickly.
The labels of packaged foods
containing allergens other than the common eight -- milk, eggs, fish,
shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans -- are not required to be in
compliance with the law. The FDA recommends to people who are allergic to other
foods to contact the appropriate USDA agency regarding the labeling of such
products. People can also email food companies to find out all the ingredients
and manufacturing procedures.
The demand for food shopping at
retail locations is at unprecedented high levels. There are spot shortages
caused by panic buying. Allergy-friendly foods that are not available in one
store or city or state may be available in another and can be shipped. Some
people with food allergies have even turned to social media to ask friends and
family to be on the lookout for certain items so they can order and ship the
items.
With most of the U.S. under
stay-at-home orders until recently, Americans have rediscovered the art of
baking, making flour a hot commodity. When baking bread is not an option due to
stores running out of flour, the next best alternative for fresh bread is the
one from the store. This may put people with celiac disease at risk. Given food
shortages, stores may have limited options of gluten-free food.
Trips to the grocery store have
become riddled with stress not just because of food shortages, but also because
of social distancing rules and the fear of contracting COVID-19. People with
food allergies may have to deal with the stress more often as they may have to
venture out to several grocery stores at various times in the day to increase
their chances of arriving after a restock and finding the foods that are safe
for them. While they won't be breaking the law because food shopping is allowed
under stay-at-home orders, they do face a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19.
When giant retail stores run out
of food items, customers go to smaller grocery stores in the neighborhood.
While they may be easier to navigate for some, they have more people moving
around in less space, making physical distancing challenging. Some stores have
started to restrict how many shoppers can go inside and make them wait outside
keeping 6 feet apart.
Food delivery services have
surged during the pandemic as people stay inside, doing their part in
flattening the curve. People who have not used such service before may have
started to as a way to minimize the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus.
The problem is that sometimes grocery delivery services substitute items that
are currently unavailable, possibly creating a health risk for customers with
food allergies.
As millions of Americans have
lost their jobs during the pandemic, many have turned to food banks to help
feed their families. However, even if food banks and other meal programs were
not being stretched thin, they may not be an option for people with food
allergies. They often don't have volunteers and resources to provide food that
doesn't contain any of the common allergens.
Dealing with food shortages when
already having limited food options can be very stressful, and people have
different coping mechanisms. Some focus on finding as much information as
possible because it helps them to make plans and feel in control. However,
seeking out information may also lead to information overload, and thus
increased anxiety, according to Gia Rosenblum, a licensed psychologist who
spoke to Food Allergy Research & Education. A good strategy is to choose
one reputable media source to check every day.
Hristina Byrnes
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