New App Helps Shoppers Dealing With Food Allergies

BOSTON (CBS) – Reading the ingredient panels on food can be consuming at the grocery store. It can also be life saving for families with an allergy sufferer. Food is always on Kim Wilson’s mind. Her old son Ethan is allergic to dairy, eggs, and peanuts. “It’s terrifying to be riding in the back of an ambulance with your child, hooked up to machines, making sure they are breathing.” The average grocery story has about 42,000 items on the shelves so it is no wonder finding allergy safe foods can be so time consuming. Wilson estimates it takes her 2-3 times as long as the average shopper who can just throw food in a cart and keep walking down the aisles. Food allergy app IPIIT (WBZ-TV) A new app, IPIIT, helps shoppers dealing with food allergies. Betty Toth of IPIIT explained how a person can set about a dozen food triggers they wish to avoid. Then “you simply scan the food product” with your phone. We tested the app by indicating an allergy to eggs, gluten and milk, and then tested various cereals. Rice Chex came back as an acceptable choice. Frosted Flakes and Oatmeal were not. There is an option to find out which ingredients are problematic. The app also suggests similar products that will fit a person’s criteria. IPIIT has about 300,000 items in its data base. Store brands and generics are often left out. Another omission is nuts. They’re expected to be added soon according to Toth. Dr. James DeAngelo, an allergist, believes the app has potential an...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Allergies Dr. Mallika Marshall IPIIT Source Type: news