Conditions in the Gulf of Mexico do not look promising as locals and officials  stare down the barrel of a potentially devastating hurricane season.  More than ever, the Gulf needs support.  So we were excited when we discovered Baking for Good™–the online bake sale that donates 15% of every purchase to a worthy cause.

Baking for Good™ began in 2009 as a company committed to high-quality baked goods, and spreading good will one chocolate chip at a time.  Each order is beautifully packaged and shipped in two days or less to most locations.  So stop by Baking for Good, pick up a brownie basket, and do your good deed for the day.

–Emilee Follett

This week is Food Allergy Awareness Week and it’s a good time to consider food allergies and how they make us (and our children) sick.

What is a Food Allergy? According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a food allergy is an “abnormal response to a food, triggered by the body’s immune system.”  When the body encounters a food substance it doesn’t like (or is allergic to) it releases a special antibody in order to protect itself from that food.  However, this allergic reaction can be extremely dangerous and sometimes leads to death.  If you have a food allergy, talk to your doctor.  He or she can help you identify what you are allergic to and what actions to take in the event of a reaction.

What is the difference between “Food Intolerance” and “Food Allergy?” First, it is important to know that certain bacteria present in food can create “food poisoning” symptoms similar to an intolerance.  So before jumping to a conclusion about foods you may, or may not, be intolerant of, it’s best to consult your doctor.

• Food Intolerance is the body’s inability to process certain types of food.  The digestive system of individuals with Food Intolerance lacks the enzymes necessary to break down specific foods.  When the body is unable to break down food, it can linger in the intestinal tract and cause severe cramping, bloating, and gas.  In severe cases of Food Intolerance, undigested food particles can rupture the the lining of the intestines and enter the bloodstream.
• Food Allergies, as mentioned before, is the immune system’s reaction to a food substance it perceives to be potentially harmful.  Symptoms tend to be more immediate than those felt by food intolerance sufferers.  Common allergic reaction symptoms include coughing, sneezing, vomiting, migranes, watering eyes, rashes, swelling, hives, and–in extremely severe cases–anaphylactic shock, which prevents the sufferer from breathing on their own.

What are some common foods that cause Food Allergy? Almost 90% of Food Allergies are triggered by protein-rich foods such as:

• Fish such as bass, flounder, and cod,
• Shellfish such as lobster and shrimp,
• Peanuts,
• Tree nuts such as walnuts and almonds,
• Wheat,
• Milk,
• Soy,
• and Eggs.

These foods are all legally considered “major food allergens” and should be avoided by sufferers of Food Allergies.

–Emilee Follett

For more information, visit foodsafety.gov or the FDA.  Additional source:  foodintol®.

Wow, we’ve been SUPER busy here at the StateFoodSafety.com headquarters.  We’re moving into new areas all the time.  Our most recent location is Cass County, MO.  We are thrilled to be working with this great health department!  We have some incredible health department partners, in fact!  If you are a health department official interested in offering online food handler training, please contact us at info@statefoodsafety.com and we’ll contact you promptly!

We have some great blog posts coming up for you . . . keep checking back!

–Emilee Follett

Ok, so we’ve been obsessed with Jamie Oliver–Britain’s tastiest export–for a while now.  Formerly known as England’s “Naked Chef,” Jamie single-handedly overhauled the United Kingdom’s school lunch program and has now taken America by storm with his new cookbook Jamie’s Food Revolution.  Oliver teaches non-foodies how to use fresh, healthy ingredients to make simple, affordable, delicious meals the whole family will love.

If you can’t get enough of Jamie, then you’ll love his new show Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution debuting on ABC March 26th.  He’ll head to America’s unhealthiest city to try and break the cycle of destructive habits, arming himself with fresh ingredients and some alarming facts.  (Did you know that America’s current generation of children is not expected to live longer than their parents?!)  In one powerful promo, he visits a first grade classroom only to find they are unable to identify even the most basic fruits and vegetables.

In the show, Jamie will focus largely on the eating habits of America’s youth.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is likewise concerned with this issue. They issued a press release last Friday (Feb 26, 2010) stating that on average, parents who considered nutrition when selecting fast food items for their children, chose meals that were at least 100 calories less than meals selected by uninformed parents.  As the USDHHS   put it, “100 calories, added up over time, is actually a significant amount.”

For more information, check out Jamie Oliver’s website and sign the petition to become “part of the revolution.”

–Emilee Follett

We are thrilled to announce that we have begun selling courses in the State of Kansas!  Please note:  because the state does not have a requirement, the course is a training option for managers who want quality, consistent food safety training for their employees.  It is also an option for franchise food establishments who require training for all employees–regardless of local regulations.  Upon successful completion of the test, each food handler will receive a certificate of completion with a verification number that lasts for two years.  Also, the course is a total steal at only $10.00!  So spread the word!

Not this Kansas.

–Emilee Follett