Egg-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free Convenience Products Available in the Grocery Store: A Food Allergy Resource Guide

This product guide is for anyone who is allergic to egg, dairy and soy (and peanut too!) or for the people who love them and never know what to buy at the grocery store.

Scroll down to see the table of products that you may be able to purchase at a regular grocery store and enjoy! Or, read a little background information first.

Why make a list? When my daughter was a toddler, she was diagnosed with these food allergies. As she grew, I learned to make foods from scratch that were healthy and satisfied her dietetic requirements. We still make most of our food from scratch. (Check out some of the recipe links at the end of this article!) However, convenience foods definitely have a place in our diet and busy life-style. Since she is young, we are faced with birthday parties, school functions, Halloween and more! It's nice to know what safe alternatives are on the market.

Other allergens: Many of the products are also free of other common allergens, such as tree-nuts and wheat and may assist people with these food allergies in their product search. However, the focus of this article is specific to individuals with these four food allergies.

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network: They are experts on food allergies and an invaluable resource. You can sign-up to receive email alerts regarding manufacturers that have changed their product formulation. They also send out alerts regarding recalls too.

Health Food Stores: A variety of specialty products can be found at health food stores. And, I would highly recommend a trip to one. We enjoy many of these products that are found there. (A favorite product is chocolate chips by Enjoy Life. However, this article focuses on products found in a large, general purpose grocery stores, such as Publix or Bi-Lo. The good news is many big box stores are dedicating more shelf space to products that address special needs, including food allergies.

I am beyond ecstatic when I find a convenience food that is both healthy and egg-free, soy-free, dairy-free and peanut-free. The discovery is usually by accident or as a result of a re-newed search for alternatives. My hope is that this list will help someone that is newly diagnosed with food allergies. It is meant to serve as a starting point in the quest to find products that meet your needs. In addition, I would love to add some new products to my pantry. Comments are welcomed and appreciated!

1. Always, always read the labels on every product every time you buy it, even if it has been acceptable in the past. The FAAN website provides detailed information on how to read a label and identifies alternative names for prohibited ingredients.
2. Focus on all the wonderful things that can be eaten. Did I mention this article is about packaged foods at a grocery store? The list of natural foods that can be eaten is extensive. Fruit, vegetables, seeds are nature's convenience foods.

Manufacturers change their formulations all the time. It is of paramount importance to always check the labels each and every time an item is purchased. The information in this article should not be relied upon for accurate and complete information about ingredients or manufacturing claims. It was developed as a starting point in the search for convenience foods that are commonly found in large grocery stores.

About the Chart:

Soybean oil and soy lecithin. Special care has been taken to identify products that use soybean or soy lecithin. According to FAAN, some people that are allergic to soy can consume these products. Check with your doctor about your specific situation.

Other Notes. The notes give tips on ways to use the products and give pointers on other places to check for acceptable products.

Last updated 12/17/10