If you are new to the food allergy world, you are probably learning that there are a whole slew of "code words" for allergens- derivatives or different forms of the allergen that still pose a danger. Milk, for instance, can be found in the form of casein, hydrolysates, lactose, whey, and many others. Eggs can be found as albumin, globulin, and ovomucin, and peanuts may be present in mixed nuts and hydrolyzed vegetable protein. These are just a VERY few of the possibilities. Luckily, the FDA now requires that labels for foods produced in the US provide the "plain language" terminology- meaning that if casein is an ingredient, the label can list casein, but must also say MILK. (This does not apply to foods that are imported, however- so if you do purchase a lot of international products, you probably need to have the code words memorized.)
However... is there actual cream in cream of tartar? There are lots of foods and products that have names that sound like they might contain an allergen- but do they? Below is a short list of items that SOUND like they might contain milk, eggs, peanuts, or tree nuts, but are in fact completely unrelated- and therefore Bryan-safe. As always, read the label to be sure there aren't any other potential allergens!
- Cocoa butter
- Coconut milk
- Cream of tartar
- Calcium/potassium/sodium lactate- sounds like lactose and other milk-derived substances, but lactate is actually safe for those with milk allergies
- Milk of magnesia
- Nutmeg
- Shea butter
- Water chestnuts
