Food allergies & out of the country travel

Jen748 · March 2012

We are talking about taking our kiddo on an out of the country vacation. We aren't sure where in the world we would go yet, but somewhere with shorter flights since she is turning 3 next month. She has a life-threatening peanut allergy so we are worried about regulation on declaring ingredients in food in other countries.

Has anyone traveled outside the US with a food allergy? How did you handle it?

iLikeSloths · March 2012

I recently developed food allergies to tree nuts and soy, and this has been a huge concern for me about international travel now. I'm leaving for Europe in 2 weeks and have been stressing about food and cross-contamination. Fortunately, mine are not life threatening, but it makes me very ill for days.

I really don't have any advice and this situation is new to me, but I can sympathize. My 4 year old niece also has a life threatening peanut allergy as well as eggs, so my sister brings her own food everywhere. I plan to do the same, but I'm concerned with packing a bunch of food for leaving the country so I've been trying to research regulations for each one I'm visiting. I also plan to shop at markets and buy mostly fresh ingredients rather than worrying about cross-contamination in factories and such. I'm interested to see if anyone else has suggestions.

bonjourbelle05 · March 2012

Wherever you go be sure you know how to say "My child has a peanut allergy and will die if exposed to them." in the language. I know you can buy cards that say that online, but you could just as easily make them (depending on the language you should be able to find someone at a local high school or college who can help you out). Also, learn the word for peanut in the language, so you can identify it on menus, etc. When ordering steer clear of anything that might be questionable....also depending on LOs age (I'm not looking at original post right now) you can bring food along and at least know they aren't eating anything questionable.

Knitty · March 2012

I'd choose an English speaking country and I'd hook up with a message board of people who live there and plan where to eat through them.

One option is to stay in one place for a week or so, and make it an apartment with a kitchen. Then you could entirely self-cater, pack lunches, etc. It makes for a great holiday with a child that age, too. If you choose a first world country you could rely on food labelling laws.

emilyinchile · March 2012

My dad flies all over the world with a garlic allergy. He tells waiters that if they're thinking of serving him anything with even a tiny bit of garlic in it, they should please call the ambulance as soon as they bring the food out because he will be needing it. So far so good.

I can see why you might be worried about packaged foods which in the US often say "contains peanuts" and might not in other countries, but as far as ordering food goes, people are people. If a waiter or chef is a jerk who doesn't take an allergy seriously, that can happen in any country.

Jen748 · March 2012

emilyinchile:

My dad flies all over the world with a garlic allergy. He tells waiters that if they're thinking of serving him anything with even a tiny bit of garlic in it, they should please call the ambulance as soon as they bring the food out because he will be needing it. So far so good.

I can see why you might be worried about packaged foods which in the US often say "contains peanuts" and might not in other countries, but as far as ordering food goes, people are people. If a waiter or chef is a jerk who doesn't take an allergy seriously, that can happen in any country.

This is the exact reason we don't eat in places (even in the US) that we can't confirm have good allergy processes or are peanut/nut free. It just isn't worth the risk of my daughter dying.

emilyinchile · March 2012

Jen748:

This is the exact reason we don't eat in places (even in the US) that we can't confirm have good allergy processes or are peanut/nut free. It just isn't worth the risk of my daughter dying.

If that's how strict you guys are about it - and I do see why - I honestly don't know that you'll be able to eat out on vacation very much even in the US. I'd probably just rent an apartment and cook your own meals for the most part. That should be equally safe more or less wherever you go, right?

Out of curiosity, why do you mention the allergy in your sig?

Jen748 · March 2012

emilyinchile:
Jen748:

This is the exact reason we don't eat in places (even in the US) that we can't confirm have good allergy processes or are peanut/nut free. It just isn't worth the risk of my daughter dying.

If that's how strict you guys are about it - and I do see why - I honestly don't know that you'll be able to eat out on vacation very much even in the US. I'd probably just rent an apartment and cook your own meals for the most part. That should be equally safe more or less wherever you go, right?

Out of curiosity, why do you mention the allergy in your sig?

When we take vacations in the US now, we research the location and available options before we go so we can call/search online to know what are safe options before we go. It's less exciting when we get there but it's worth it to keep from having to worry about DD and risking an ER visit while we are out of town.

I have it in my sig because I frequent the Food Allergy board on the bump and it's a nice way for us to each know what allergies we are dealing with.

Littlejen22 · March 2012

What has been her experiences in the past? Has she had an anaphylaxis reaction in the past? Have you used your epi pen on her? I ask b/c my niece has been tested at I believe a 4 and yet has never needed an epi pen and they eat out at Chinese buffet and she eats plain M&Ms, she has had breathing reactions but Benedryl has always worked for her. I am just trying to gauge how severe the concern is for her to actually die. I am not making light of it but my advice will change depending on past experience. Also, is her allergy airborne? My nieces is airborne. I would say that if she has not had a severe reaction in the past that you should go, do research and be prepared for the worst with your epi-pen. If she has had a life-threatening reaction before than I would stick closer to home.

And for suggestions, I think Aruba would be a good one, they are very Americanized and everyone speaks English, you can likely find recommendations online for restaurants that would be helpful with ingredients and the nicer restaurants you could email them ahead of time and ask. Worst case there are a decent amount of American chains there.

emyinpink · March 2012

I have a gluten allergy (which is not life threatening, but I get extremely sick if my food even touches gluten), and I've so far been able to travel to Greece, Mexico, and Germany with no issues. I always bring an explanation written in the local language, learn how to say wheat allergy in the local language, and have it written down so when we go to grocery stores for snacks/food I can look at labels. I would also recommend looking into apartment rentals. Unfortunately I do avoid all street food just in case

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PittPurple · March 2012

I have a life-threatening shellfish allergy and I've travelled all over Europe and to India and Japan without any problems. If I'm likely to be in a place with limited English (like Japan), I get allergy cards printed online so I always have one in my wallet (and extras in my husband's). I travel with an epi-pen as well. While it's more boring, we usually eat at restaurants with English menu translations when possible and we do a lot of farmers' market shopping and usually rent an apartment.

The only time it was difficult was in Spain because shellfish is everywhere and I was in a panic about cross-contamination. I ate a lot of cheese sandwiches there.

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