Oh boy! Today my son is challenging baked dairy in the form of pizza. Yes, he is having experiencing the “gold standard” of participating in a food challenge, in a medical setting. It is very dangerous to try to challenge a food not at a physician’s office. At the doctor’s office my children are monitored closely and staff is ready to leap into action if needed. We normally visit our beloved allergist, Dr. Joshua Jacobs in Walnut Creek, California for all our food allergy and asthma needs. Due to a new school calendar year and shorter vacation, I could not pull off a summer trip to California. So, we are seeing a wonderful local allergist today to test out cheese pizza. Last year, he participated in a baked dairy challenge in cake and he did great. Actually, since Dr. Jacobs knows my son so well, he insisted upon a double blind placebo test for baked dairy. My son was soon introduced to the all American treat of Goldfish and homemade cakes with cow’s milk baked in. Although, we still prefer Vegan baking. The next step after the baked dairy challenge is baked cheese. So, hello cheese pizza. Oddly enough, we were asked to purchase Amy’s Cheese pizza based on the work of Dr. Sicherer of Mt. Sinai and him using Amy’s frozen pizza.
This what I will bake tomorrow morning before heading out the allergist’s office for the baked cheese food challenge!
Allergens in the Cheese Pizza Factory?
Now, Amy’s had a few allergen warnings on the package regarding tree nuts. So, standing in the isle of the grocery store, I called Amy’s and explained that they are now part of my “gold standard” food allergy challenge and I needed to know more about the tree nuts in their factory. I was very curious since this brand was the choice of Dr. Scott Sicherer. The lovely woman on the other end of the phone line explained that yes, indeed, there are tree nuts on the same line but they take extra steps to keep their food allergic customers safe. They only bake nut allergens on the same day. At the end of each day, they shut down all the lines and thoroughly clean them and test as they clean. They then test for allergens while running the regular lines as well. They seem to test like crazy actually. They did advise me there are no peanuts in the factory at all as well. I felt very confident with their product based on their line management and testing commitment.
Wish us luck-say a prayer and send some good joo-joo! I’ll post to share how it went.
UPDATE: After 5 long hours he was deemed safe to eat baked cheese! PHEW!!! We are so tired but he sweetest moment came tonight when he asked to spend quite time with me. I reminded that we just 5 solid hours in a small room together and he said, “I know, I just want to bond some more”.
Heddi
Sending you positive thoughts from Switzerland! My fingers are crossed for you all. Hope you get good news.
Caroline
Heddi, thank you for the Swiss love!
Julie Moore
Best of luck to you! I have done food challenges myself and they can be quite overwhelming! Sounds like he’s in good hands. 🙂 You will be in my thoughts and prayers!
Caroline
Thank you Julie! All good thoughts and prayers are welcomed!
judie
Molly & I survived our challenges with very good results! While we didn’t really change our diet, we know that eating is safer. Dr Nevin made the procedure relaxing & helped ease our fears. While the food challenge is important, he stated that the chance of experiencing symptoms are rare if a food challenge is done because the allergy has been ruled out by the other tests done prior to the challenge. I look forward to the good news later today!!
Charlotte
My best to you and your son that this food challenge will be successful! Please keep us posted.
Caroline
We are in the last hour of observation! He ate one whole slice perfectly fine!