Grocery shopping for a child with food allergies

Make the label check a habit

The FDA's four tips for living with food allergies start with "Always read food labels." For a child, that means every product, every purchase, including ones you've bought before. Manufacturers change recipes and suppliers, and a familiar package can hide a new ingredient.

Build a trusted list, then keep checking it

• Plan before you go. Check new products at home, when you have time to read.
• Keep a list of products that passed. It speeds up shopping, but still check the label on the shelf.
• Agree on a "may contain" rule with your child's doctor and apply it every time. See what "may contain" means.

Different allergies in one family

When siblings or parents have different allergies, a product that's safe for one isn't automatically safe for another. Keep each person's allergies separate and check products against each of them.

Share what you know

Teachers, coaches, grandparents and babysitters all need the same information. A written allergy card means nobody has to remember a list.

Teach older kids to read labels

As children get older, show them how to find the ingredient list, the bracketed allergen names and the Contains statement. The 5-step label check is a good place to start.

How SafeScan helps parents

• Family profiles with each person's allergens, diets and sensitivity mode.
• Scan for All to see a verdict per person from one scan.
• Favorites and history so trusted products are easy to find.
• Allergy cards to share each child's needs.

Profiles, including your child's, stay on your device.

This guide is general information based on US labeling rules, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or allergist about your own allergies, and always read the label on the package in your hand.