So You're Child's Class is Peanut/Nut Free? Snack and Treats that are Safe

As you know, our oldest son has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy.  We have to be very careful what food we offer him and have to read every label.  For those of you that need some help with "safe" snack selections for your children in school, I thought I'd put together a list for you to refer to.  DISCLAIMER:  PLEASE double-check the label, as there are times when they may have an error on a manufacturing line that causes them to put a warning on that label.  These are some phrases you are looking for to indicate that the food is NOT safe:  "Processed or manufactured in a facility that uses peanuts/tree nuts, may contain peanuts/tree nuts, or shared equipment."  There are a few companies out there that will say "Peanut Free Facility."  One of the worst brands for nut safety is Wal-Mart's generic brand Great Value.

By no means do I feel that I can "guarantee" this list, but we read the labels and tend to trust what they say.  By law, a company must put on the label if it contains one of the top eight allergens, but it is voluntary to put on "may contains" or "processed in a facility."  Many companies will add this information, though, if there is a possible danger.  Handling allergies is a tricky thing to do!    

"Safe" Snack List:

Sunmaid Raisins

Keebler Bug Bites graham crackers

Keebler Scooby-Doo Cinnamon graham cracker sticks

Kellogg’s Multi-Grain All-Bran Crackers

Nabisco Honey, Cinnamon, and Chocolate Teddy Grahams

Nabisco Original Wheat Thins

Rold Gold classic style pretzel sticks

Graham Crackers (Nabisco, Honey Maid)

Fresh fruit (oranges, apple slices, grapes, strawberries, bananas, etc)

Fresh vegetables

Motts, Musselmans Applesauce

Ritz Crackers

Nutri Grain Cereal Bars – strawberry or apple cinnamon

General Mills Whole Grain or Regular Cheerios

Unsweetened fruit cups

Sliced cheese or string cheese *WALMART GENERIC BRAND IS NOT SAFE*

Keebler Original Crackers or Townhouse Original or Wheat Crackers

Yogurt/Go-Gurts

Sunshine Cheeze-its or Nabiso Cheese Nips

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish

Pirate Booty

Betty Crocker or Kelloggs Fruit Snacks

Carrots/celery and dip

Thomas Mini bagels

General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms

Kelloggs Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks

Nabisco Vanilla Wafers

Betty Crocker Vanilla, Chocolate, or Rainbow Chip Frosing

Kellogg’s Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts or Cinnamon Pop-Tarts

Kraft jet-puffed marshmallows

Nabisco Oreo Double Stuffed Cookies

Jell-O cups or Pudding Cups

Hunts Pudding Cups

Kellogg Rice Krispie Treats

Special K bars, strawberry

Nabisco Barnum and Bailey Animal Crackers

Nabisco Chips Ahoy or Chewy Chips Ahoy

World Gourmet Veggie Straws or Chips

If you're looking for "safe" candy treats, these are my "go-to" choices:

All Tootsie products 

Regular Hershey Milk Chocolate Kisses (though double-check around the holidays due to the special candies)

Twizzlers

Hershey Chocolate Chips (NOT White Chocolate)

Smarties

Dum Dums Lollipops

Sweettarts

Laffy Taffy

Skittles

Starburst

Keeping my little guy safe takes time, effort, and being incredibly thorough!