Safe Donuts for Peanut Allergies

Has anyone even asked the parents whether cross contamination is an issue? For a lot of kids, it isn't. It depends on the severity of the allergy. My daughter is allergic to wheat, but possible cross contamination isn't much of a problem.

As a mom of a child with severe allergies (and a previous exposure resulting in anaphylaxis, Epi-pen, 911, and several hours in the pediatric ER), I appreciate when parents and teachers ask for more information beyond the simple allergy label. I make it easy for everyone else by either providing my son his own treat or by letting them know it's okay for everyone else to have the items in question as long as my son doesn't eat it.

So, having said that, I'd ask the mom of that child (or, if you don't know her, have the teacher inquire or get her contact information). Maybe there is a specific donut she gives to her child. There may be a particular brand or kind that is nut-free and that the child has eaten previously with no problems. Or, you may find that the child is so allergic, there can be no chances taken with any food item that could have been cross-contaminated with peanuts.

Is this the activity where the donut is hung by a string and suspended on a rod and the child has to grab it with his/her mouth? (For those who've never seen this, each kid gets his/her own donut, which is tied to its own string. There's no food or string sharing, so no worry about cross-contaminating or spreading germs or viruses). If you can't find a safe donut, ask the mom about a cookie that her child can eat, preferably one with a hole in the middle and use that for the child. Or, she may have some other idea about a treat the child likes. If it's relatively soft, you can still put a string through it and use that treat for the activity. Have the child with allergies go first, just as a precaution.

Thanks for being positive and proactive. Allergies are pretty easy to manage when all parties communicate!

J. F.

(Side note: As I look at your location, this becomes even more personal to me. My brother and his family live in your town. Two of my nieces are highly allergic to nuts. One, who is still in elementary, had an anaphylactic reaction earlier this year after a cross-contaminated ingestion. It was a donut from a place where she'd eaten the donuts for years with no problem. It was some random, unknown cross-contamination. Just like the situation with my son, she ended up in the ER for hours. Thankfully, she was also fine after being treated. So, thanks again for being concerned and proactive. We moms and aunties of kids with allergies don't expect the world to change for us, but we sure appreciate when people ask us how they can help manage food situations when our kids our present).

Best to you and your family.

J. F.

Avoid processed donuts. Go to a real donut shop and make sure the donuts/oil are peanut free (ask about the oil because peanut oil is often used for deep frying.)

I'm assuming you're talking about the game where doughnuts are tied to strings that are suspended from something, and the kids put their hands behind their backs, and using only their mouths try to eat the doughnut while the string bobs and bounces, making catching a doughnut fun and crazy?

If so, I think you'd have an easier time finding nut free pretzels than doughnuts. Pretzels might be fun, and the big thick traditional twisted ones would be easy to tie on strings. They might be healthier than doughnuts too.

A place like Whole Foods can help you select a guaranteed nut-free pretzel or similar snack that you can tie to a string. Just make sure to save the packaging to show the mom of the child with the allergy.

i see many people are suggesting apples instead of donuts. i've got the kid who's allergic to apples!
first off i'd talk to the mom of the allergic child and see what she suggests. it's likely that your local bakery can accommodate you unless the child is sensitive to products that have been produced near nuts. and if that's the case, you probably need to look at games that don't involve food.
it's very nice that you're checking!
:) khairete
S.

krispy kreme does not even have hazelnut coffee cream.. they are nut free..

I would suggest that you do the apples instead of the donuts. my grandson is allergic to peanuts and misses out on lots of treats in the classroom because of it. He is one of the ones who even peanut dust can send him to the hospital. take the peanuts out of the equation. maybe make rice crispy treats and shape them like donuts.

I wasnt aware that donuts had peanuts in them. Interesting

Bobbing for apples. Don't donuts get disgusting if submersed in liquid?

Sarah, I wasn't aware of that either. I guess maybe they could be allergy triggers if they were fried in peanut oil.

Sounds like someone needs to do a special order from a store bakery or a home bakery business.

OR better yet have that child's mom provide the special foods so she can be sure of her child's health.

I don't know what "bobbing for donuts" is, do they get wet? lol Maybe go old school and bob for apples, that will save the nut problem. Or go to the grocery store and look on all the donut boxes to see if it says anything about nuts. Good luck.

I believe 'bobbing for donuts' is when donuts are tied to a string (1 string per donut) and hung up and contestants (sometimes blindfolded) have to eat their donut hands free.

For nut free donuts try
Krispy Kreme (usually plain ones, without nut topping) (confirm with manager)
Entenmann’s
Hostess powdered mini donuts

I was aware of nut cross contamination with donuts.
I use to love the nut covered donuts that someone use to bring into the office (and the raspberry jelly filled donuts).
I don't eat a lot of donuts anymore though (I can't remember the last time I had one).