Rice Dream was first made available to the public in the early 1980s after a successful showing at a food show by its maker, Robert Nissenbaum. Rice Dream was designed to offer a healthy alternative to cow milk products for vegetarians and the health conscious. As a dairy-free food, Rice Dream is also an alternative to dairy for kids with milk allergies. However, Rice Dream may not be the best choice if your child has an allergy to peanuts.
Milk Allergy
Milk allergy affects about 2.5 percent of kids under the age of 3. Most develop the allergy during infancy but usually outgrow it before they become adults. An allergic reaction to milk may include a rash, itching, swelling or difficulty breathing. If your child has a milk allergy, you need to carefully read food labels to make sure you avoid any foods that may contain milk or one of its derivatives. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, which requires manufacturers to clearly label foods that may contain any of the common allergens, including milk. Because milk is an important source of calories, protein and essential nutrients for kids, it is important to find a healthy milk-free alternative, such as a rice-based drink like Rice Dream.
Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergies seem to be more common, with cases doubling in children between 1997 and 2002, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. A peanut allergy is more concerning than other allergies because it can trigger a severe reaction, such as anaphylaxis, which will require a trip to the emergency room. The severity of the reaction depends on how sensitive your child is to the allergen and how much was consumed. Like the milk allergy, to prevent exposure, you need to carefully read food labels to avoid any food products with peanuts or its derivatives to prevent a reaction. As a common food allergen, manufacturers are required to label if a product may contain peanuts.
Rice Dream and Allergies
All varieties of the Rice Dream non-dairy beverages are milk-free, according to Taste the Dream, the official website for Rice Dream products. Rice Dream frozen desserts do not contain milk, but they are processed on equipment that also processes foods containing milk, so there may be cross-contamination. The Rice Dream products are also free of peanuts. However, the plant that manufactures Rice Dream is not certified as a nut-free facility. The Hain Celestial Group, the parent company of Rice Dream, says that it follows strict allergen controls to eliminate cross-contamination.
Consideration
If your child has an allergy to milk, according to the Rice Dream food label, it is safe for him to include the Rice Dream beverages as part of his diet. However, the frozen desserts may not be as safe due to cross-contamination. If your child has a peanut allergy, find an alternative product because Rice Dream cannot guarantee that its products are 100 percent peanut-free.
