Wendy Shuping of Mooresville thought nothing of it when a babysitter fed her 18-month-old daughter Lillian a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Lillian had never tried the kid favorite before, but Shuping had no concerns.
Moments after taking a bite, Lillian broke out in hives and her face began to swell.
"I was shocked. This didn't even look like my child," Shuping says. She was rushed to the hospital. A blood test confirmed that Lillian was allergic to peanuts, and the Shuping family entered the world of label screening, epipens and confusion that is life with a food allergy.
According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, about 3 million children in the U.S. have food allergies. Incidents are highest in young children — one in 17 among those under age 3. Research has yet to pinpoint a cause or cure, and families affected struggle with daily decisions that other families take for granted.
Bakeries housed within grocery and big-box stores create fun birthday cakes for kids. But they do so on equipment that makes other baked goods containing allergens, and cross-contamination is possible. That's why Shuping often bakes things herself.
"Candy is the biggest problem for us because almost all candy is processed in (manufacturing) plants that use peanuts," she said.
Filling a void for parents like Shuping are a new breed of businesses that cater to those with nut allergies.
Paulette De La Rosa began baking peanut and tree-nut free products at age 11, when her mother experienced a severe allergic reaction to nuts.
Fast forward 20 years and De La Rosa, a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, owns No-Nuts Baked Goods.
Located in Davidson, No-Nuts offers treats found at other bakeries but includes the promise of its products being peanut and tree-nut free. De La Rosa's mother, Lily, who inspired her career path, is also her business partner.
"I've always loved baking, and watching my mom's frustrations with a limited diet inspired me to open No-Nuts," De La Rosa said. The bakery is currently an internet-based company, but De La Rosa plans to open a retail space in the Lake Norman area this spring.
Stores and restaurants are slowly recognizing their growing customer base of those suffering food allergies.
Shuping is thankful for restaurants that post peanut warnings on their doors. De La Rosa has noticed wait staff are becoming willing to review the menu with her and make accommodations when necessary.
But Shuping always brings food in case her daughter cannot find a safe meal on the menu, and De La Rosa usually dines in. As the number of Americans experiencing food allergies continues to rise, businesses such as No-Nuts Baked Goods may be on the rise, too.
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