Selling Girl Scout Cookies is an important event within a young girls life. If done correctly, it teaches about hard work, money, and how to “close the deal and make the sale.” And let’s all face it, those cookies are really good! Unless of course, you have Milk, Soy, Wheat or Peanut allergies, then these cookies turn deadly.
When we got my daughter’s order form, she excitedly told me about some of the new cookies that were added to the list: Dulce de Leche and Lemon Chalet Cremes. Yum! Then I decided to read the ingredients to see how they might affect my youngest daughter who has peanut allergies. I grabbed the order form and started perusing the ingredients. I was a bit angered with the result.
These days, all labels are required to include allergens that are in the item’s ingredients ((Read about labeling requirements on FDA site)). This allergy alert information typically appears in bold at the end of the list of ingredients. This has become such a helpful addition to the packaging that it is difficult to literally live without it. I wish, for example, we could get these same labels for meals we eat at restaurants or when we go to parties. It would be so nice to allow my youngest to come off “the peanut leash” once and a while. But her allergies are deadly and we can’t control how people that we don’t know prepare their food.
The labels for the Girl Scout Cookies have taken the first step by complying with the labeling standards. They have also added a tiny section in red that says: “All products contain wheat, soy and milk ingredients.” Do-si-dos and Tagalongs contain peanuts. Lemon Chalet Cremes may contain peanuts. Trefoils and Sugar Free Chocolate Chips may contain tree nuts or traces of tree nuts.” Boy, THAT is encouraging. Basically, for my youngest daughter, she cannot enjoy any of these cookies.
Soy Beans, it turns out, are part of the same family that Peanuts ((Read about Peanuts’ interesting position within the legume family)) are in, the legume family ((More about the Legume family)). This also includes Peas (great excuse for her to not eat her peas, I guess). However, so many products nowadays use Soy in one way or another. Luckily, she is only mildly allergic to it. However, we are not sure to what extent this Soy allergy goes. Recently, she had a sample of some Clam Chowder at Costco, a brand that she has had before and immediately developed rashes and welts around her mouth after eating some. We aren’t sure if the manufacturer changed the ingredient mix or if her allergies to Soy increased. One way or another, it was scary.
I would like to get to the crux of this post though. Now, more than ever, children are being diagnosed with food allergies. Progress is being made within food manufacturers and even restaurants (many now do not cook with peanut oil, for example). However, there is a LONG way to go before children and their parents can truly feel at ease eating out or consuming manufactured foods. I have written about peanut allergies before here. (A bit tongue in cheek but with serious undertones.)
Girl Scout Cookies are manufactured at two facilities: ABC/Interbake Foods and Little Brownie Bakers ((FAQ link on Girl Scout page)). There IS an allergen link on the Girl Scout FAQ page here but it simply points to the manufacturer pages. ABC/Interbake Foods does a good job at describing their efforts to reduce allergens (which is encouraging). To quote from their FAQ page:
Question: How do you look out for people like me who have food allergies?
Answer: Over a decade ago, ABC partnered with Food Allergen and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) to learn more about life threatening food allergies and the impact of ingredient labeling and allergen warnings. We have also worked with the Food Allergy Research & Resource Program in association with the University of Nebraska to review our sanitation, handling and training procedures. Prior to FDA guidelines requiring labeling for potential allergens, ABC adapted what is known as “product specific” allergen labeling. Product specific labeling enables the allergy-affected consumer to make an informed decision based on information specific to that particular product. While broad “across the line” statements such as “this product may contain traces of peanuts” meets the current FDA requirements, it is limiting to the increasing number of allergy sufferers across the country.
Product specific labeling requires strict compliance to good manufacturing practices to prevent cross contamination such as:
* Segregation of known allergens from the general production environment
* Color-coding of storage units and utensils
* Color-coding of employee uniforms
* Curtained off production areas
* Designated lanes for transportation of known allergens
* Swabbing and testing of allergen shared equipmentIn addition, we call out all allergens on our packaging and order cards and provide specific warning if a product is made on a line that also produces product with a common allergen such as peanuts. ABC’s proactive approach to allergens is an example of our commitment to producing the best quality Girl Scout Cookies possible for the millions of valued consumers who support Girl Scouting every year.
Excerpt of email from consumer and Girl Scout mom:
“ABC is wonderful and has taken the time to implement safe manufacturing processes to protect children with food allergies. When I called last year, they were happy to answer questions and explain about their manufacturing process and safe dedicated lines. It is very hurtful to food allergic families when companies would rather make the statement “may contain traces of…” rather than illuminate the problem of cross contamination. We would be happy to represent a company like ABC that has taken a leadership role in safe manufacturing.”
My proposal is simple, at least in articulation. The Girl Scouts should make ALL EFFORTS to either:
- find a manufacturer that produces allergen-free cookies or
- require their current manufacturers to produce allergen-free cookies.
Easier said than done, right? It would be hard to get a completely allergen-free cookie made, especially with the removal of wheat, soy and milk ingredients. However, having some cookies produced in a “peanut-free” environment might be easier and would definitely be a good starting point. The ideal would be to have just ONE cookie selection that is completely peanut-free. It would go a long way with both the buyers and sellers.
I realize that this type of change would be costly and would take time to implement. However, if enough people requests this, I would think that some changes would take place. It would have to be a “grass roots” type of movement so I figured I would take the first stab at it by writing this post. Leave a comment or contact your local Girl Scout Organization to request that some efforts be made to make these wonderful cookies a bit more “friendly” to those people with food allergies. Also, be sure to DIGG this post to help raise awareness!
HTD Says: If you feel that the Girl Scout Organization should work towards producing more Allergen-free Cookies, please leave a comment or let your local Girl Scout troop know.
59 comments
Tracy
I am allergic to soy. It causes spasms in my intestines & makes my throat scratchy. It causes other trouble in my intestines but I won’t go in to it. Peanuts give me indigestion. Soy is the 2nd food allergy behind wheat. Soy oil is used so often because it is cheap! Be aware that if lecithin is listed as an ingredient, it is more than likely soy lecithin. Many people are allergic to soy, they just don’t realize it. My soy allergy has gotten worse over time. If so many people are allergic to soy why is it in everything? Soy is even fed to chickens, cows & pigs. I have trouble eating at restaurants & other peoples homes. Most people use vegetable oil & if you read the label of vegetable oil bottles, the oil is soybean oil. Soybean is even in body lotions, shower gels, teas… The list goes on & on. I read the labels on everything. I can pick out the soy ingredient on the label within seconds. It has definitely limited me as to what I can eat. I hope it changes soon. I would buy thin mints if they were soy free. My aunt is also allergic to soy.
Saraldavis
Hi, I’m a Girl Scout mom. I totally agree with the article above;however, some thing have changed. This year for example we offer 3 types of cookies that are nut free and dairy free. They are thin mints, thanks-a-lot, and lemonaids. I will try to post the picture I have on my phone for the alergen facts. I just wanted people to know that the Girl Scouts do offer cookies everyone can enjoy.
Angie
I agree with you I have food allergies and I cant eat girl scout cookies because im allergic to nuts and soy & get aggervated when aproched and have to tell the kids no & they do nothing for us allergy sufferers. I would buy several boxes if I could.
kay
No need for soy in the cookies! Home cooks almost never use soy (add butter instead of soy products), and it is at least one ingredient that doesn’t need to be there!!! IT SHOULDN’T BE THERE!
Anonymous
Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body’s immune system. A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to otherwise harmless substances in certain food.
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Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this also – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get anything done… Regards
Mike Wasko
I totally agree with this post. I am the uncle of some nieces with a severe peanut allergy. Every year they look forward to me buying them girl scout cookies which I keep at my place for them to enjoy when they visit as it is often.
I was disheartened when I learned that all the types now have the possibility of traces of nuts. In the past there were a few selections that were peanut friendly, and now this has totally changed. In this day of rising allergies, and the fact the girl scouts exploits the youth of our nation to sell over priced cookies, the least they could do is make sure they offer cookies that everyone could enjoy.
Kendra
I agree with you that the Girl Scouts should produce a “top-8 free” cookie. My oldest daughter is allergic to milk, tree nuts and peanuts and was quite upset yesterday when one of her little friends tried to sell us some cookies and we had to decline. I do wish, however, that everyone would refrain from using the phrase “allergen-free”. There is no such thing as an “allergen-free” food as people are allergic to far more ingredients than just the big 8. Nothing could be made allergen free. But top-8, or top-8+gluten, could easily be accomplished and until they do so, GS cookies are off limits in our house.
Gluten free foods ROCK
Great post I agree I just posted about girl scout cookies. Check out my poll, here: http://glutenfreefoodsrock.blogspot.com/ and leave me a comment
Georgeann
I know I'm late to comment, but my daughter has milk, egg, and nut allergies, and the girl scout cookies are a pain! I wish that they made at least one kind that was allergy-free, even if they kept the other kinds the same. The brand “Enjoy Life” could probably do a good job with creating a cookie.
b greg
(con't) Vaccines contain an adjuvant that increases the body's immune response to the protein in the vaccine. Something that the public and most physicians don't realize is that the adjuvant also contains a mixture of vegetable and animal oils that have a trace of food protein in them. This is a protected trade secret and does not have to appear on the package insert. The ingredients of many adjuvants can only be found by reading patents. What are these oils? Soy, sesame, peanut, wheat germ, corn, shellfish, fish, etc.
Can a trace amount of food protein in a vaccine cause food allergy? Yes. This has been known since 1839, when the French physiologist Francois Magendie injected animals to create a food allergy to egg whites.
The food industry has to label food that may contain trace amounts of peanuts or nuts but the pharmaceutical industry is exempt. Shouldn't your doctor know if he is injecting a peanut-allergic patient with peanut oil?
hightechdad
Thanks for those stats on allergies in the world. Scary stuff!
b greg
(con't) Vaccines contain an adjuvant that increases the body's immune response to the protein in the vaccine. Something that the public and most physicians don't realize is that the adjuvant also contains a mixture of vegetable and animal oils that have a trace of food protein in them. This is a protected trade secret and does not have to appear on the package insert. The ingredients of many adjuvants can only be found by reading patents. What are these oils? Soy, sesame, peanut, wheat germ, corn, shellfish, fish, etc.
Can a trace amount of food protein in a vaccine cause food allergy? Yes. This has been known since 1839, when the French physiologist Francois Magendie injected animals to create a food allergy to egg whites.
The food industry has to label food that may contain trace amounts of peanuts or nuts but the pharmaceutical industry is exempt. Shouldn't your doctor know if he is injecting a peanut-allergic patient with peanut oil?
hightechdad
Thanks for those stats on allergies in the world. Scary stuff!
b greg
(con't) Med 2001 Jan 8;161(1):15-2, Anaphylaxis in the United States: an investigation into its epidemiology, concluded with “The occurrence of anaphylaxis in the US is not as rare as is generally believed. On the basis of our figures, the problem of anaphylaxis may, in fact, affect 1.21% (1.9 million) to 15.04% (40.9 million) of the US population.” PMID 11146694"
So is this epidemic of food allergies mostly among young children caused by being too clean (hygiene theory – food allergies are unknown in undeveloped countries) in the last 5 years or something else?
1960 – children received on average one or two vaccines
1980 – children received 8-9 vaccines
1990 – children were routinely given 10 vaccines
2000 – Children now receive 33 vaccinations before they enter school
2007 – Children are now to receive 48 doses of 14 vaccines by age six and 53-56 doses of 15 or 16 vaccines by age 12.
b greg
(con't) Med 2001 Jan 8;161(1):15-2, Anaphylaxis in the United States: an investigation into its epidemiology, concluded with “The occurrence of anaphylaxis in the US is not as rare as is generally believed. On the basis of our figures, the problem of anaphylaxis may, in fact, affect 1.21% (1.9 million) to 15.04% (40.9 million) of the US population.” PMID 11146694"
So is this epidemic of food allergies mostly among young children caused by being too clean (hygiene theory – food allergies are unknown in undeveloped countries) in the last 5 years or something else?
1960 – children received on average one or two vaccines
1980 – children received 8-9 vaccines
1990 – children were routinely given 10 vaccines
2000 – Children now receive 33 vaccinations before they enter school
2007 – Children are now to receive 48 doses of 14 vaccines by age six and 53-56 doses of 15 or 16 vaccines by age 12.
b greg
I would rather see prevention of food allergies take place than needing to ban peanuts from schools and have everyone scared to eat Girl Scout cookies. Is our science so backwards that we cannot figure out what is causing all theses allergies?______I found the following statistics on various websites – ____AUSTRALIA: Australia has one of the highest allergic incidence rates in the developed world.__CANADA: Between 3% and 4% of Canadian adults, and nearly 6 % of children suffer from food allergies __GERMANY: The prevalence in children is 3 percent to 6 percent, but can be up to 30 percent in high-risk groups, such as children with eczema.__ITALY: An estimated 6 to 8% of the Italian population has food allergies.__JAPAN: about 7% of population had some form of food allergy.__MALAYSIA: about 30% of young children are likely to develop allergic disorders in the first five years of life.__SWEDEN: one out of 15 children with reported adverse reactions to food.__US: One in every 17 children under the age of 3 has food allergy. ____And really serious food reactions are not all that rare – "A study in Arch Intern Med 2001 Jan 8
b greg
I would rather see prevention of food allergies take place than needing to ban peanuts from schools and have everyone scared to eat Girl Scout cookies. Is our science so backwards that we cannot figure out what is causing all theses allergies?______I found the following statistics on various websites – ____AUSTRALIA: Australia has one of the highest allergic incidence rates in the developed world.__CANADA: Between 3% and 4% of Canadian adults, and nearly 6 % of children suffer from food allergies __GERMANY: The prevalence in children is 3 percent to 6 percent, but can be up to 30 percent in high-risk groups, such as children with eczema.__ITALY: An estimated 6 to 8% of the Italian population has food allergies.__JAPAN: about 7% of population had some form of food allergy.__MALAYSIA: about 30% of young children are likely to develop allergic disorders in the first five years of life.__SWEDEN: one out of 15 children with reported adverse reactions to food.__US: One in every 17 children under the age of 3 has food allergy. ____And really serious food reactions are not all that rare – "A study in Arch Intern Med 2001 Jan 8
ajlund
Are the peanut butter cookies involved in the peanut butter recall?
hightechdad
I don't think so but you should probably contact the Girl Scout organization to find out. That is a great question!
– HTD
ajlund
Are the peanut butter cookies involved in the peanut butter recall?
hightechdad
I don't think so but you should probably contact the Girl Scout organization to find out. That is a great question!- HTD
PeanutGirl
I have a deadly peanut allergy and recently discovered (or rather rediscovered) a progressively worse allergy to soy. When I was younger, I used to sell those girl scout cookies. It was really quite depressing, because over the years I could eat less and less of the cookies. By my first year of college, I was down to the thin mints and the samoas, and realized I was developing rashes due to the soy. I still try every year to eat one, but it's pretty hard.
Someone mentioned Valentines Day. I think all holidays involving candy are my worst nightmare. I wish allergen free products were more readily available instead of everything being shipped online. And as for the Girl Scout cookies, I'd buy them all year round if they were allergen free. Maybe that would give them incentive to change their products just a bit.
PeanutGirl
I have a deadly peanut allergy and recently discovered (or rather rediscovered) a progressively worse allergy to soy. When I was younger, I used to sell those girl scout cookies. It was really quite depressing, because over the years I could eat less and less of the cookies. By my first year of college, I was down to the thin mints and the samoas, and realized I was developing rashes due to the soy. I still try every year to eat one, but it's pretty hard.
Someone mentioned Valentines Day. I think all holidays involving candy are my worst nightmare. I wish allergen free products were more readily available instead of everything being shipped online. And as for the Girl Scout cookies, I'd buy them all year round if they were allergen free. Maybe that would give them incentive to change their products just a bit.
JakesMom
Hi AidensMom. I live on the east coast and just ordered some cookies yesterday. The order form was very clearly labeled, and specified which cookies were made on shared equipment and which were not. In addition, Thanks A Lots and Lemonades were both available and both contained no milk (they did contain wheat and soy).
JakesMom
Hi AidensMom. I live on the east coast and just ordered some cookies yesterday. The order form was very clearly labeled, and specified which cookies were made on shared equipment and which were not. In addition, Thanks A Lots and Lemonades were both available and both contained no milk (they did contain wheat and soy).
AidensMom
Last year, there were 2 varieties that my milk-peanut-tree nut allergic son could eat (Thanks A Lots, Lemonades), but I read an article that this year ABC is no longer manufacturing, just Little Brownie. I haven't read our order form, but it will be very disappointing if he can't enjoy them this year. Surely there are many girl scouts with these allergies as well!
hightechdad
@AidensMom,
I'm sure that there are some that are not as bad as others. However, milk allergies may prevent you from getting any. I'm not too sure so be sure to read the ingredients carefully (as I'm sure you do).
-HTD
AidensMom
Last year, there were 2 varieties that my milk-peanut-tree nut allergic son could eat (Thanks A Lots, Lemonades), but I read an article that this year ABC is no longer manufacturing, just Little Brownie. I haven't read our order form, but it will be very disappointing if he can't enjoy them this year. Surely there are many girl scouts with these allergies as well!
hightechdad
@AidensMom,
I'm sure that there are some that are not as bad as others. However, milk allergies may prevent you from getting any. I'm not too sure so be sure to read the ingredients carefully (as I'm sure you do).
-HTD
Lanie
I think there should be tremendous changes with Girl Scouts cookies — in more ways than one. Definitely in making them allergen-free (I have a daughter with allergies, too). But also I am also so sick of seeing the Girl Scout name encouraging girls to recycle and care for the environment, be healthy and make good choices, yet I see no reusable packaging in the products and the cookies are loaded with unhealthy ingredients (partially hydrogenated oils concern me the most and are the reason I won't dare put one of those cookies in my mouth). I think Girl Scouts are missing out on the opportunity to set a really good example and encourage other companies to all move in the same direction. My fingers are crossed!
hightechdad
@Lanie,
Thanks for your note. I do hope that organizations start moving more towards taking social and environmental responsibility. Recycled materials is a great idea. I haven't checked the boxes for that, but that would be a nice step forward.
Unfortunately, the types of things that we would want implemented are expensive and time-consuming and during these hard economic times, probably won't be implemented soon (or if all). We can only hope right now.
-HTD
Lanie
I think there should be tremendous changes with Girl Scouts cookies — in more ways than one. Definitely in making them allergen-free (I have a daughter with allergies, too). But also I am also so sick of seeing the Girl Scout name encouraging girls to recycle and care for the environment, be healthy and make good choices, yet I see no reusable packaging in the products and the cookies are loaded with unhealthy ingredients (partially hydrogenated oils concern me the most and are the reason I won't dare put one of those cookies in my mouth). I think Girl Scouts are missing out on the opportunity to set a really good example and encourage other companies to all move in the same direction. My fingers are crossed!
hightechdad
@Lanie,Thanks for your note. I do hope that organizations start moving more towards taking social and environmental responsibility. Recycled materials is a great idea. I haven't checked the boxes for that, but that would be a nice step forward.Unfortunately, the types of things that we would want implemented are expensive and time-consuming and during these hard economic times, probably won't be implemented soon (or if all). We can only hope right now.-HTD
Wendy
My daughter is allergic to milk and has been since birth. I wish they would make just one cookie without milk! These days, there are so many alternatives, and SO many people with milk issues… I agree they would sell a lot more cookies if there were most allergy-friendly options.
Wendy
My daughter is allergic to milk and has been since birth. I wish they would make just one cookie without milk! These days, there are so many alternatives, and SO many people with milk issues… I agree they would sell a lot more cookies if there were most allergy-friendly options.
Joanne
I wonder if this is a regional issue, because I was impressed with the Girl Scout Cookie order form my daughter brought home. I thought the ingredient labels were very clear and underneath the ingredient list, a separate "Contain" section listed any of the top 8 allergens in the product. Any cookie containing peanuts had a 3rd section labeled "allergen information". I noted that my son, who is allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, could eat three of the eight flavors listed. By the way, a special note at the bottom of the form had another warning to consumers with allergies that they should carefully read the labeling on the cookie package when it is received. The form I have in front of me is quite thorough when it comes to food allergies.
hightechdad
@Joanne,
Thanks for your note. Yes, my labels DO show the allergy information and this is a good step forward (this is required by law anyway). What I'm trying to write about is that there should be one cookie that is MARKETED as being allergen-free or at a minimum, peanut-free. I'm not convinced that any of the current offering (perhaps only the Thin Mints) are safe for peanut-allergic children. I simply want to raise some more awareness of this.
I have seen other packages by other companies that TOUTE the fact that they are produced in a completely peanut-free environment.
Thanks,
HTD
Joanne
I wonder if this is a regional issue, because I was impressed with the Girl Scout Cookie order form my daughter brought home. I thought the ingredient labels were very clear and underneath the ingredient list, a separate "Contain" section listed any of the top 8 allergens in the product. Any cookie containing peanuts had a 3rd section labeled "allergen information". I noted that my son, who is allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, could eat three of the eight flavors listed. By the way, a special note at the bottom of the form had another warning to consumers with allergies that they should carefully read the labeling on the cookie package when it is received. The form I have in front of me is quite thorough when it comes to food allergies.
hightechdad
@Joanne,Thanks for your note. Yes, my labels DO show the allergy information and this is a good step forward (this is required by law anyway). What I'm trying to write about is that there should be one cookie that is MARKETED as being allergen-free or at a minimum, peanut-free. I'm not convinced that any of the current offering (perhaps only the Thin Mints) are safe for peanut-allergic children. I simply want to raise some more awareness of this.I have seen other packages by other companies that TOUTE the fact that they are produced in a completely peanut-free environment.Thanks,HTD
hightechdad
@Tina,
I believe that some are "ok" but I'm very wary of ones that are even processed in the same plant. My daughter had a reaction just from VISITING a Jellie Bellie factory, not even tasting any. You just can't risk it!
-HTD
hightechdad
@Tina,
I believe that some are "ok" but I'm very wary of ones that are even processed in the same plant. My daughter had a reaction just from VISITING a Jellie Bellie factory, not even tasting any. You just can't risk it!
-HTD
hightechdad
@Wendy,
That must be an extremely difficult allergy since milk seems to be everywhere. I hope she is not allergic to soy as well. Keep spreading the word!
-HTD
hightechdad
@Wendy,
That must be an extremely difficult allergy since milk seems to be everywhere. I hope she is not allergic to soy as well. Keep spreading the word!
-HTD
Tina
Thanks for sharing this. I was under the impression some of the cookies were ok for peanut allergies, but will avoid this year. I do wish they would do a better job with this.
Tina
Thanks for sharing this. I was under the impression some of the cookies were ok for peanut allergies, but will avoid this year. I do wish they would do a better job with this.
hightechdad
Wow, it's a small world and I appreciate you giving your experience as well. Please be sure to continue spreading the word. I will eventually submit this article to the Girl Scouts so the more comments and Diggs we get, the better.
-HTD
hightechdad
Wow, it's a small world and I appreciate you giving your experience as well. Please be sure to continue spreading the word. I will eventually submit this article to the Girl Scouts so the more comments and Diggs we get, the better.
-HTD
Lucretia Pruitt
Well that explains the outbreaks we had with my older brother as a child.
The labeling has come a long way… my older brother (now 44) grew up with a deadly peanut allergy in a time when awareness was zero. Who knew that the "secret" ingredient in M&M candy shells to keep them from melting was peanuts, eh? I mean, they were labeled "plain" and "peanut" so you'd think you were safe.
As the mother of an almost 6-year old daughter with deadly peanut AND tree nut allergies, I'm always on the lookout for suspect foods. Fortunately, my brother's family & I share when we find new places that you wouldn't suspect it would pop up but it does.
Unfortunately, there are many companies that seem to be using the label "may contain traces or peanuts or tree nuts" simply as an anti-liability ploy rather than as something that is accurate. Valentine's Day is a nightmare, because just about every candy manufacturer does that.
Still, Girl Scouts needs to get the message that promoting responsibility rather than just warning people to stay away is more important. FIX the issue, don't just report it.
Great article, thanks for linking me this way!
Lucretia Pruitt
Well that explains the outbreaks we had with my older brother as a child.
The labeling has come a long way… my older brother (now 44) grew up with a deadly peanut allergy in a time when awareness was zero. Who knew that the "secret" ingredient in M&M candy shells to keep them from melting was peanuts, eh? I mean, they were labeled "plain" and "peanut" so you'd think you were safe.
As the mother of an almost 6-year old daughter with deadly peanut AND tree nut allergies, I'm always on the lookout for suspect foods. Fortunately, my brother's family & I share when we find new places that you wouldn't suspect it would pop up but it does.
Unfortunately, there are many companies that seem to be using the label "may contain traces or peanuts or tree nuts" simply as an anti-liability ploy rather than as something that is accurate. Valentine's Day is a nightmare, because just about every candy manufacturer does that.
Still, Girl Scouts needs to get the message that promoting responsibility rather than just warning people to stay away is more important. FIX the issue, don't just report it.
Great article, thanks for linking me this way!
hightechdad
Thanks Mike for the comment. It would be fantastic to see something actually happen that would help our peanut-allergic children!
-HTD
hightechdad
Thanks Mike for the comment. It would be fantastic to see something actually happen that would help our peanut-allergic children!
-HTD
mike shaughnessy
As the father of a peanut-allergic child, i would LOVE to see the girl scouts be more protective of their allergy suffering customers. Peanuts are an easy first target since it's not often a main ingredient. Beyond that, having a whole separate line of allergy-free cookies would likely have a market.
Reduce allergens, sell more cookies – at least at my house. Besides, if the Girl Scouts mission is to positively impact the community, wouldn't this be a no brainer?
mike shaughnessy
As the father of a peanut-allergic child, i would LOVE to see the girl scouts be more protective of their allergy suffering customers. Peanuts are an easy first target since it's not often a main ingredient. Beyond that, having a whole separate line of allergy-free cookies would likely have a market.
Reduce allergens, sell more cookies – at least at my house. Besides, if the Girl Scouts mission is to positively impact the community, wouldn't this be a no brainer?