Finding 100% nut-free food can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack...the sheer frustration of trawling though ingredient lists of products only to find 'may contain traces of nuts' on a product that should be edible is both time consuming and ultimately, hugely disappointing. But is finding 100% nut-free food really that much of a quest? We investigate some sources of help and information:
Hope for the Future
So what is currently being done in the UK for those with a nut allergy? There are two notable charities operating in the field, each with a different mission and a valuable role.
NARF, the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, was founded by Tanya Ednan-Laperouse whose daughter Natasha's tragic death in 2016 sparked Natasha's Law which ensured clearer labelling on foods containing nuts. The charity now hopes to bring about positive change by funding clinical research into eradicating nut allergies, and focusing on laws and policies, education and raising allergy awareness.
Anaphylaxis UK is a charity established over thirty years ago, specialising in offering education and training courses about allergies. There are tailored Allergywise educational courses available for parents, health professionals, teachers and playleaders, ensuring that everyone knows what to do in an emergency situation, as well as preventing these life-threatening situations occurring.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a one-stop-shop for 100% nut free foods where consumers can shop safe in the knowledge that we have done the leg work for them, finding needles in the haystack...
Nut Free Shop will donate 10% of any profits made to the two charities above. As founders, we believe that this is a fair and responsible way of giving back. We hope that our shop will also raise the profile of nut allergies, and encourage brand owners to be more proactive with developing 100% nut-free foods. If you are a brand owner and would like to list your 100% certified nut-free products on our site, please contact us.
Insta Informers - Movers and Shakers
Social Media provides a platform for those with severe nut allergies to share information about 100% nut-free recipes and foods that they have found (yes, the needles in the haystack of products out there!). We have searched the web high and low for those Instagrammers providing useful tips and experiences for nut-free living. Here are a few of our recommendations, we hope as our website grows we will identify and spark more resources and contacts, so please do get in touch if you have found helpful folk and we will add them to the community!
nutfree.living.foodguide - A community with nearly six thousand followers that spots nut-free foods and shares the findings with the followers
nutfreezoe - helping allergy sufferers find alternatives
nutfreeinlondon - helping identify places to eat in London and beyond which are nut allergy friendly