Need a Food Allergy Shopping Guide? - Eggs

Category: Just for Parents

Written by Cilie Yack

EGG ALLERGY

A list for the newly diagnosed

Egg allergies are pretty common, especially in babies, toddlers and preschool aged kids. Some studies claim that about 66% of kids can outgrow their egg allergy by the time they are 7. 

Both the yolks and the whites of eggs are made of proteins that can cause allergic reactions. It is possible for a child to be allergic to the egg yolk and not the white, but the whites cause more reactions than the yolks. In some rare instances egg allergies can develop in someone older. 

Most people who are allergic react to the proteins in egg whites, but some can't tolerate proteins in the yolk. Allergic reactions to eggs can occur minutes or hours after eating them. Most reactions only last about 24 hours.

Although it is rare, there is a small percentage of egg allergic people who will have a serious anaphylactic reaction to an egg exposure.

Finally, those allergic to eggs are advised not to get an annual flu shot because the flu shot is cultured with egg ingredients. MMR vaccine also uses eggs, however there is a disagreement among experts as to whether or not the MMR is safe for those with egg allergies. Use your own discretion.

Eggs are found in foods like:

Bavarian creams
Bearnaise sauce
Breaded foods (some)
Caesar salad dressing
Cake
Candy (some)
Cappuccino-style drinks
Cookies (especially chocolate chip)
Crackers
Creamed foods
Cream pies
Cream fillings in pastries, cookies, bakery goods
Crepes
Custard
Doughnuts
Egg rolls
Eggnog
Egg noodles
Fried foods (can have cross-contamination in a restaurant fryer)
French toast
Frosting
Hollandaise sauce
Ice cream

Imitation crab meat
Jelly beans brushed with egg whites
Malted Beverages and Candies
Marshmallows
Mayonnaise
Meat cooked in batter (chicken nuggets, fish sticks, etc...)
Meringue
Muffins
Newburgh sauce
Ovaltine
Pancakes
Pie crust
Pretzels
Pudding
Root beer
Sherbet
Simplesse (fat substitute)
Soufflés
Tartar sauce
Waffles
Whips
Wine (some brands)

Important issues with Eggs:

Eggs are in many unexpected foods. They are used as a binder and clarifying agent. Always call the manufacturer when you question whether or not a product is safe to eat. If you are unsure, avoid the food completely.
Egg protein is found in many products that you would not normally expect. Egg whites and shells are used as clarifying agents in soup stocks, wine, alcoholic drinks, coffee drinks, and consommés. Check the labels and when in doubt, avoid the food completely.

Ingredients that contain Eggs:

Albumin
Apo Vitellenin (from the egg yolk of a chicken)
Avidin
Baking powder containing egg white or egg albumin
Bernaise sauce
Dried eggs
Eggnog
Eggs
Egg powder
Egg substitutes
Egg whites
Egg yolks
Egg solids
Flavoprotein
Globulin
Imitation egg product
Livetin
Lysozyme
Mayonnaise
Meringue
Ovalbumin
Ovoglobulin
Ovoglycoprotein
Ovomucin
Ovomucoid
Ovotranferrin
Ovovitella
Ovovitellin
Ovumuxoid
Phosvitin
Powdered Egg
Silica albuminate
Simplesse
Surimi (used in imitation seafood)
Vitellan

Ingredients that may contain Eggs:

noodles
Lecithin (can also come from soy, animal byproducts, corn, and peanuts)
protein bars
protein drinks
protein powders

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