FOOD ALLERGIES

There’s been a lot of talk about adult food allergies in our newsroom this past week following our special report. I wanted to share a personal story in the hopes that it might help one of you.

You might recognize multimedia journalist Kila Peeples from Live in the D, where she loves to try new things and that includes new foods.

Food allergies are common in children. But if you’re an adult, you know by now what you’re allergic to. Or maybe you’re allergy free.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Cheeky Spices creator Rita Shelley missed eating her favorites foods. Enter Cheeky Spices, Shelley’s own allergen-free spice brand that launched during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Each Cheeky Spices blend is free of common allergens, sugar, dairy and is low sodium. Shelley met Mharg at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and decided his hot sauce had to join Cheeky Spices. Learn more about Cheeky Spices on its website or check out its blog for recipe ideas.

New research suggests the time of year a baby is born could increase the risk of them having food allergies. More than 5 million children have food allergies, and that number is on the rise. Experts believe being born in the fall could especially increase the risk of babies having food allergies. Babies born at different times of the year experience a variety of different factors that can raise or lower the risk of various conditions. A new clinical trial will further study why babies born in the fall tend to have weakened skin barriers.