info about flying with epis, pink peppercorns and a couple other recent topics..

[Jessica]

https://www.facebook.com/MountSinaiJaffeFoodAllergyInstitute/posts/669473679806457?fref=nf

Jaffe Food Allergy Institute Answers to Recent Food Allergy Queries and Concerns
Can epinephrine auto-injectors go through security scanners without incurring damage?
 Based on existing limited literature and FDA reports, the amount of radiation emitted by modern airport baggage scanners (similar to a day’s worth of ambient radiation), should not affect the potency of the medication.  Hand inspection however could risk accidental activation or damage.
 At this time, we are advising our patients to allow epinephrine auto-injectors to pass through security scanners rather than requesting they be inspected individually by hand.
 
 Do patients with tree nut allergies need to worry about Pink Peppercorns?
 We are currently aware of two reported allergic reactions to pink peppercorns.  It appears that allergy to pink peppercorn (also known as Brazilian Pepper, Rose Pepper, Christmas berry and others) may be a risk for people with cashew allergy based on cashew and the pink peppercorn berry being botanically related foods.  This dried berry may be used as a spice but is different from standard black pepper or the fruits that include the term “pepper,” (e.g., bell peppers, red peppers or “chili” peppers).
Although it remains unclear whether pink peppercorn allergy stands alone or is related to cashew allergy,  we are suggesting those with cashew allergy avoid pink peppercorn.  Although it would be unlikely to come across this ingredient in manufactured and packaged foods you should, as always, read product labels.  The ingredient is more likely to appear in specialty spice and pepper blends.  When dining out, you may choose to add pink peppercorns to your “chef card” avoidance list as an added safety measure. This dried berry is not a popular ingredient and avoidance should not be too difficult.
Why do some avoidance sheets list wintergreen extract as an ingredient to avoid if allergic to hazelnuts?
 We are not sure why wintergreen extract is listed as related to tree nuts or hazelnuts on some avoidance sheets.  Most experts agree that this listing is based on erroneous assumptions about cross reactivity between the extract source and hazelnut. We do not list wintergreen extract as an ingredient to avoid on our avoidance sheets and do not have evidence to believe that wintergreen extract poses a risk to patients with hazelnut allergy.
Do some brands of auto-injectors expire in 6 months?
 No. When purchasing any auto-injector, we suggest checking the expiration date before leaving the pharmacy.  Ideally, the expiration date should be a year or more from your date of purchase, although stocking issues may be problematic.