According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, a national advocacy group, it is estimated that food allergies affect about 3 million children and 1-2% of adults nationally (about 13 million people). Such food allergy reactions result in over 30,000 emergency room visits each year with nearly 200 people dying in the U.S. annually from anaphylactic reactions to foods, the group says.
Food allergies can be hard for a parent to deal with, especially if you want to treat your child to the occasional snack. Many products are created in facilities that handle peanuts, which makes it even more difficult.
HomeFree has launched a line of whole grain cookies and coffee cakes made with organic ingredients and free of common food allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and eggs. HomeFree was founded by Jill Robbins, a clinical psychologist and author of Allergen Free Baking, who turned to baking when her son was diagnosed with severe food allergies. Jill’s goal was to create delicious, wholesome treats that her son and everyone, with or without food allergies, can enjoy together. Today the company makes a variety of cookies and coffee cakes in a dedicated baking facility, where it conducts allergen testing on ingredients and random product batches to ensure that each product is free of common food allergens.
Cookies come in three flavors: Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies, Organic Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Organic Oatmeal Cookies. Each flavor comes in full size cookies and mini cookies. My personal favorite is definitely the chocolate chip cookies (which I tried in the mini variety). Talk about addicting! I keep finding myself sneaking a cookie or two while making dinner.
The mini chocolate chip cookies from HomeFree remind of Famous Amos cookies. The oatmeal cookies are pretty good, soft and tasty, but I can't help but think they need raisins! Maybe just because that's how I'm used to eating oatmeal cookies 
The chocolate chocolate chip cookies in full size have a really great, soft texture. I would love to be able to try the chocolate chocolate chip cookies and the oatmeal cookies in the mini version. I'm wondering if the size of the chocolate chip cookies was the reason I loved them best...
HomeFree cookies are available on their website, as well as in more than 200 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods and Shaw's. HomeFree coffee cakes, available in apple or cranberry, are available on their website. The website also offers an Allergen-free Baking Cookbook, as well as a few baking supplies to get you started.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:20 am
food allergies affect nearly 13 million people, it is not a small ratio. Reading to this blog i got awareness of this food allergies and many child still affected by this. But thanks for this awesome post and HomeFree Allergy Free Cookies. I will recommend every child not only child but to all ages to take this allery free cookies and be healthy.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:26 am
The body may react to food in many different ways, and this has been the cause of much controversy about what does and does not constitute food allergy. Food allergy is defined as an abnormal immune reaction to food
How hard in our time to eat healthy products,
March 26th, 2009 at 1:56 am
I can see that more shops are sprouting up with the name organic food.I believe I'm able to find such biscuits from the stores.Thanks for recommending.
March 26th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Food allergy can be isolating. You’re always asking about ingredients, teaching your child to say “no” when offered cookies and treats from others, quizzing restaurant staff about ingredients each time you dine away from home.
March 27th, 2009 at 12:56 am
This food is ideal for those that having the food allergies problem, as my girlfriend is one of them who have allergies to nuts related foods! Great stuff, Stefanie. I will get few packets at the local whole Foods and Shaw's...
March 28th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I was actually lookinng for some good allergyfree cookies! Thanks = )
April 6th, 2009 at 12:39 am
I think whenever we purchase food product first we check ingredients of products. Organic ingredients are really beneficial for our health.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I'm lucky enough to not have food allergies (that I know of!), but it's good to know more companies are considering people who do. Hope everyone gets a chance to try these cookies!
July 25th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Finally we see a product which goes through testing and wants to ensure that no one gets any allergic attacks. Now a days with so much adulterate substances, kids suffer a lot but Business should not always be for profit is proved here!