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Hidden Sources of Corn and Corn Derivatives

Hidden Sources of Corn and Corn Derivatives & Corn Allergy Info

  • 31 min read
I appreciate you sharing this online and with friends & family.

If you’re new to a corn allergy diagnosis, buckle up, because there’s a lot to learn about the hidden sources of corn. Corn has more than 250 names and uses in food, non-food products, medicine, and agriculture. I’ll invite you to really stop and think about that statement.

As someone who has personally managed a corn allergy with severe allergic reactions for well over a decade (and was previously undiagnosed), in conjunction with more than 200 additional food allergies and food intolerances, here’s what I can tell you: beyond all shadow of a doubt, corn is the absolute hardest ingredient to avoid.

Soy is number two on the list, then there are several that you’d think would be easy to avoid but they’re not (garlic, carrot, apple, black pepper, etc.).

Let me say that again: corn is the single most difficult ingredient to avoid here in the U.S. I’m not exaggerating when I say avoidance is nearly impossible. Now that you know what you’re in for, let’s take a look at some corn allergy basics, and hidden sources of corn.

Gluten Free, Grain Free, Truly Corn Free Bison Dogs (Corn Free Corn Dogs) by The Allergy Chef
Homemade truly corn free grain free, gluten free, top 9 free bison dogs (corn free “corn dogs”)

What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is a response by your immune system that’s triggered by a protein that your body sees as a threat. This is not the same thing as a food intolerance or an autoimmune disease. If you suspect you have a food allergy, ask your healthcare provider or doctor to refer you to an allergist for an appointment and they can order an allergy test (blood test and/or skin prick test) to determine if you have an allergy. Know that allergy testing is not 100% accurate, but are still a good diagnostic tool.

A “true” food allergy is IgE mediated, and the immune system usually elicits a reaction within immediate ingestion to four hours. Outside of that time frame, it’s usually suspected that you have a food intolerance.

However, there are some types of allergenic diseases that are “true” food allergies and the reactions happen outside of the four hour window (FPIES is a great example of this). Additionally, a person can have a more rare or complex case and suffer from delayed reactions (which can still be caused by “true” food allergies).

In some patients, they have what’s called contact or airborne allergies as well. In their case, a reaction can be triggered by touching the food or by breathing in its particles (like when cooking or baking, both myself and one of my kids have this). Food allergies can be life threatening and should always be taken seriously. Work with your allergist and healthcare providers to create an action plan that will meet your needs.

Gluten Free Vegan Truly Corn Free Sweet Potato Pie Recipe by The Allergy Chef (Grain Free, Top 9 Allergy Free)
Truly corn free sweet potato pie.

Symptoms of a Corn Allergy

Food allergy reactions can vary among patients, as no two people are the same. Some allergy symptoms of a corn allergy include:

  • Swelling of the Lips
  • Swelling of the Tongue
  • Swelling of the Throat
  • Itchy Mouth and/or Throat
  • Shortness of Breath
  • ​Difficulty Breathing
  • Wheezing
  • Skin Rashes
  • Itching
  • Hives
  • Urticaria
  • Racing Heart Rate
  • Decreased Blood Pressure
  • Impending Doom/Dread
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting/Loss of Consciousness
  • Severe Stomach Pain
  • GI Distress
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (including projectile vomiting)
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in Stool

These corn allergy symptoms are more on the severe side of the allergic reaction spectrum, and can indicate anaphylaxis. It’s critical that if you see these corn allergy symptoms that you seek immediate medical help. If you have a known allergy, follow your action plan.

Less severe symptoms include persistent coughing, severe headaches, migraines, congestion, post nasal drip, and a lot more.

Three Key Things to Know

There are hundreds of symptoms a person can experience, but it’s important to know three things about corn allergy symptoms and reactions:

  • Not every reaction is anaphylaxis. People can have a “non-traditional” corn allergy reaction to food and still be allergic to corn.
  • Should a person experience anaphylaxis, it’s important to seek immediate medical treatment (use your epinephrine injector (AKA epipen) if you have one). When left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to anaphylactic shock, which can cause death.
  • Previous allergic reactions don’t predict future reactions (or the severity), and in some patients, continued exposure to known allergens can cause more severe reactions each time.

A child may talk about a food allergy differently than adults. Many children will say things like “my mouth is spicy” or “there’s a frog in my throat”. They’re trying to express what the reactions feel like to them with language or experiences that are familiar to them. Always take note of these types of statements from a child, as they can indicate a serious medical situation. If needed, don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment.

Gluten Free, Grain Free, Truly Corn Free Graham Crackers (Vegan, Top 9 Free, Low Histamine) by The Allergy Chef
Grain free, gluten free, truly corn free graham crackers.

The Spectrum of Sensitivity

Whilst we see levels of sensitivity in all types of food allergies, corn almost has its own definitions. I suspect this is because of all of the derivatives. Here are the main ways people self-identify where a corn allergy is concerned:

  • Corn Sensitivity
  • Corn Intolerance
  • Corn Lite
  • Corn Moderate
  • Severely Allergic to Corn and no Corn Derivatives Whatsoever

When people refer to a sensitivity or intolerance, they’re not referring to an IgE mediated allergy. For those who use the lite, moderate, and severe terms, they’re referring to an IgE mediated corn allergy.

The terms lite, moderate, and severe have zero regulation. Additionally, corn lite and corn moderate can have different definitions, depending on who you talk to. Personally, I’m not a fan of these terms, but they’re popular in groups online. Overall, here’s what lite and moderate mean:

Corn Lite: A person who cannot have “top level” corn such as corn flour, corn starch, etc., but can eat corn derivatives such as citric acid etc.

Corn Moderate: A person who cannot have “top level” corn such as corn oil and corn syrup, but can eat *some* corn derivatives. There’s no way to predict which derivatives they can have, but over time, they learn which ones cause a reaction and which ones don’t.

Personally, I treat all corn allergies as severe and never recommend anything with a corn derivative, no matter who it’s for. A word of warning: if you’re new to a corn allergy, join online groups at your own risk. I have seen first hand people circulating false information about products that would be safe for others. These groups are poorly moderated and you’re very likely to get information that will cause a reaction.

Homemade Corn Free Baking Powder by The Allergy Chef (Gluten Free, Vegan, Top 9 Allergy Free)
Homemade corn free baking powder recipe.

​Additional Corn Allergy Reactions

Corn unfortunately has an almost special set of allergic reactions that aren’t seen with other allergies. Whilst these are rare, they happen, including to myself. The best way I can describe it is “brain inflammation and your brain is on fire and the wrong pathways are lit up and you lose your ever loving mind”.

​Within the corn free community, many have reported what we can only call “Corn Rage”. It’s when you’ve been exposed to corn and you go from zero to sixty pretty fast. You just see red and there’s nothing you can do but wait for it to pass. As someone who suffers from corn rage, what I can tell you is that it’s an awful symptom and at times almost feels like an out-of-body experience. You’re just not there, and you’re flipping out, usually over literally nothing.

Through my work and the people I’ve met, I’ve also seen there’s a higher percentage of people allergic to corn who are also complex cases and have an airborne reaction and contact reaction. Is this an official stat? Nope. It’s just something I’ve picked up on as I’ve talked with thousands of people with food allergies.

Truly Corn Free Cookbook by The Allergy Chef. All gluten free recipes and allergy friendly recipes.
Corn Free Cookbook (GF, Top 9 Allergy Free)

Why Is Corn So Hard to Avoid?

There are a few reasons avoiding corn is so hard. One: legally, corn is not classified as top/major allergen here in the United States (or anywhere else in the world). That means corn and its many many derivatives don’t have to be called out on labels. If they did, you’d be shocked by how many products contain corn.

Two: Government subsidies (in the United States) make corn a “cheap” product. Technically, it’s not cheap because your tax dollars are covering part of the bill. However, on the surface corn cheap, therefore it’s abundant. Since the price is “low” manufacturers can purchase large quantities of corn and corn derivatives to use in a wide range of products.

Three: No one can agree on derivatives. I personally detest when a company tells me “it was derived from corn, but all the protein is gone, so it’s fine to eat”. No Jane, it’s not fine to eat, at least not for everyone. In fact, it’s grossly irresponsible to tell people that. You should simply tell them what it’s derived from, and let them decide if it’s truly safe for their needs.

Sure, some people will be able to consume these products, but not all. What I’ve personally seen about a corn allergy is that it’s taken “less seriously” than others, such as a peanut allergy. Most companies would never tell someone with an anaphylactic peanut allergy to eat something peanut derived because “the proteins are gone”. With all of the awareness around peanut and tree nut allergies, no one wants that liability. A corn allergy though? It’s the wild wild west out there, so be careful.

Four: SO MUCH is made from corn as I’ll share with you below. Due to this reason, it’s nearly impossible to avoid corn. You may want to grab this Top 10 Corn Free Products Guide. It will get you started on avoiding corn and building your pantry.

Top 10 Fave Truly Corn Free Products by The Allergy Chef

Obvious Sources of Corn

You may be familiar with corn chips, corn tortillas, corn flour, corn starch, and corn syrup as major sources of corn. Awesome. Maybe you’ve even heard of xanthan gum?

These are all what I like to call obvious sources of corn and for some people, these are the only products they avoid. However, some with a corn allergy never reach neutral because the don’t realize there are so many other sources of corn.

In fact, there are so many, I won’t be able to cover them all in this article. For a much more robust list of corn and corn derivatives, read through this Corn Free Introduction Article which has links to all the things you’ll want to know.

Here are the names of corn that mean “full on corn” or “top level corn”. These are not derivatives of corn, but corn in its full or nearly full state:

  • Corn Chips
  • Corn Flour
  • Corn Meal
  • Corn Oil
  • Corn on the Cob
  • Corn Syrup
  • Corn Tortillas
  • Cornstarch (also written as Corn Starch)
  • Ground Corn (sometimes called Stone Ground Corn)
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Hominy
  • Huitlacoche (pronounced weet-la-coh-cheh, sometimes called Mexican Truffle, a fungus that grows on corn and eaten as a delicacy)
  • Maize
  • Masa Harina
  • Polenta
  • Popcorn
  • Zein (corn protein)

Corn Free Honey Thyme Corn Bread Recipe by The Allergy Chef (Top 9 Allergy Free)
Corn Free Honey Thyme Faux “Corn Bread” Recipe

Hidden Sources of Corn

I could talk about hidden corn ingredients all day and still have more information to share with you the following day. Unfortunately, there’s a very steep learning curve with hidden corn, and you’re going to find that even some manufacturers don’t have the answers for you.

As you read through the list, you may be left speechless. Then, a lot of things may make more sense, like why you always feel sick after eating XYZ. You may also realize that foods that seemed like they were corn free aren’t actually truly corn free.

I need to stress this point: not everything on this list is guaranteed to be corn derived, it’s that it can be corn derived. We’re living in an age where sugar can, wheat straw, soy, and several other ingredients are now being used to make some of the items on this list.

What this means for you: the only way to really know if something is truly corn free is to call the manufacturer and ask a lot of questions. And for those who are shady or want to tell you that “it’s proprietary”, those products aren’t worth your time.

Dang! That's Delicious Corn Free Gluten Free Maple Bison Tallow Cookies without White Sugar by The Allergy Chef
Truly corn free cookies: watch the episode and get the recipe.

Foods That Can Contain Hidden Corn Ingredients:

For a more exhaustive list, this resource for RAISE Members is the best resource I have available on the topic.

  • Alcohol (beer, wine, etc.)
  • Allulose (this one makes me so upset because the packages always say allulose is found in figs and kiwi etc., but they derive it from corn)
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Avocado (ripening gas)
  • Bacon (truly corn free bacon is a thing these days, but very expensive)
  • Baked Goods
  • Baking Mixes (usually from the baking powder, but there are other ways corn can be present)
  • Beverages (all types including bottled water, flavoured drinks, tea, etc.)
  • Bread
  • Cereals
  • Cheese (some rennets contain corn derivatives, always look for animal rennet, and never purchase shredded cheese)
  • Citric Acid (sounds like citrus but 99% of the time is corn derived)
  • Condiments (BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, etc.)
  • Commercial Binders & Thickeners
  • Crackers
  • Dextrose
  • Emulsifiers
  • Extracts (flavoring, vanilla, etc.)
  • Food Additives, Fillers, and Preservatives (many can be corn derived)
  • Food Coloring (artificial and all natural “dye free”)
  • Frozen Fruits & Frozen Vegetables (usually dusted in a corn derived anti-caking agent)
  • Glucose
  • Glycerin
  • Hot Dogs & Sausages
  • Ice Cream
  • Jams & Jellies
  • Juice (fruit juice included)
  • Maltodextrin (in recent years there’s been more rice and tapioca maltodextrin in circulation)
  • Maple Syrup (defoamer)
  • Meat (chicken, pork, turkey, beef, etc. corn via the animal feed and/or corn via the processing and butchering of the animal)
  • Medication (Rx & OTC, antihistamines, etc.)
  • Natural Flavors
  • Pineapple (ripening gas)
  • Salt (Iodized, Regular Table Salt)
  • Sauces & Salad Dressings
  • Soda
  • Spices, Seasonings, Spice Blends, Individual Spices (the anti-caking agent is usually a corn derivative)
  • Sorbitol
  • ​Soups & Stews
  • Supplements & Vitamins
  • Various Sugars & Sweeteners (can be corn derived or processed on shared equipment with corn)
  • Vanilla (most of the world’s supply is sprayed at harvesting)
  • Vegetable Glycerol
  • Vegetable “anything” (vegetable oil, etc.)
  • Vinegar
  • Xanthan Gum

Bath & Beauty Products That Can Contain Hidden Corn Ingredients

As you know, the FDA doesn’t have the same labeling requirements for non-food products. That means you’ll have to work extra hard to find safe versions of these types of items:

  • Baby Diapers
  • Baby Wipes
  • Chapstick
  • Feminine Hygiene Products
  • Floss
  • Hand Soap (bar soap and liquid soap)
  • Lotions & Creams
  • Makeup
  • Mouthwast
  • Neosporin and Other Antibiotic Creams
  • Skin Care Products
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste

Hidden Sources of Corn in Non-Food Products

This also isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a great starting point and can help you better understand how corn hides in the wild.

  • Adhesives (tape, bandaids, etc.)
  • Crayons & Markers
  • Fertilizer
  • Latex Gloves (the powder used in the gloves is usually corn derived, there are powder free gloves these days, but I can’t vouch for their safety)
  • Paint
  • Paper
  • Plastics
  • Printer Ink

Hidden Sources of Corn: A Deeper Look at Eight Widely Used Products

Corn In Plastic and Bio-Degradable Products

If you’ve ever picked up a plastic container and it has a “funky” feel to it, there’s a chance it’s corn derived. A lot of thin plastics also contain corn derivatives. Bio-degradable green produce bags in the grocery store are also usually corn derived. What this means for you: be very careful.

Farmer’s markets are a much safer place for people with a severe corn allergy. For someone like myself, the bigger issue is how those bio-degradable bags are everywhere in the store, including the conveyor belt at the checkout lane. I kid you not, I pick the lane based on what people in front of me have in their cart. The less exposure I have, the better.

Whilst I’m all for saving the planet, it sure would be nice if everyone didn’t look to corn as the solution. And yes, for those who are thinking it, a lot of foods are packaged in wrappers and containers that contain corn and/or corn derivatives.

Homemade Gluten Free and Corn Free Cassava Tortilla Chips by The Allergy Chef
Homemade corn free tortilla chips.

Is There Corn In Fruit and Vegetable Wax?

Ever pick up your produce and have it feel waxy? Produce wax is usually corn derived. It’s pretty hard to find farms that don’t use the wax. Whilst I’ve been able to find 5, I know there are others out there. There is a Corn Free Course on how to source produce, as well as a course on meat sourcing on the RAISE Membership website.

Also, it’s not just the wax: banana, pineapple, and avocado are all usually sprayed with an ethylene corn derived gas ripening agent. It’s why you’ll be hard pressed to find these ingredients truly corn free, especially here in the U.S.

Corn In Vanilla Extract

This is one of my personal favourites to talk about. What most people don’t know is that more than 90% of the world’s supply of vanilla beans are sprayed with a corn derived drying agent during the harvesting process. I want you to pause and think about that.

Think about all of the places vanilla is used. More than 90 percent is already contaminated with corn. There aren’t many truly corn free options for vanilla, but you can find it, along with other truly corn free products in the Corn Free Product Guide.

What makes this even more difficult is there are several products on the market that could be truly corn free if there wasn’t vanilla in the product. In fact, one of my favourite chocolate companies makes a truly corn free option, but it’s 100% pure dark. This can make it difficult to incorporate into baking projects if you’re not used to the bitterness of pure chocolate.

Truly Corn Free Vanilla Frosting by The Allergy Chef
Truly corn free vanilla frosting recipe.

Is There Corn In Water?

Many years ago, I was given 30 days to live. This was during the diagnosis phase of my journey. My case had become so severe and I wasn’t even able to drink water anymore. First it had to be determined if I had a true water allergy (super rare) or if it was something else. Showering was so painful, and drinking water was like swallowing razor blades. Even with the water filters everyone in the corn free community was using at the time, I still couldn’t drink water without being in pain.

By the time I was given 30 days to live, I was only able to choke down about 2 ounces of water a day, and nearly no food. That’s when I accidentally (read: the Lord blessed) found Raw Water Summit Spring. They have the only exemption in the United States to not treat the water.

Now, this is a BIG deal that if I try to explain will take at least 10 – 20 minutes more of you reading, so I won’t. You can look through these Corn Free Courses if you want more information. Bottom line, I’m allergic to the processing of water due to the chemicals and solutions used. This is the only water on the globe that doesn’t make me sick.

There’s a great company called Salacious Drinks, such sweet people, and they helped me import water from so many countries, only for all of the water to fail. Summit Spring, literally the only water for me.

Kid Two on a Raw Water Throne by The Allergy Chef
Kid Two on our Raw Water Throne

Corn In Cleaning Products (Home & Commercial Use)

I wasn’t exaggerating when I said corn is everywhere. Think about your laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, sponges, disinfectant wipes, and more. They can all contain corn derivatives. In fact, most do. The only way to find out if a specific product contains corn is to call the company, and not all of them are helpful. I’ve had the most luck with transparency from companies in the natural and organic space.

The bigger issue is when a corn derivative is a cleaning agent during food manufacturing. It means the conveyor belts and machinery used to process your food are essentially coated in corn for some of the production. Most companies when called and asked about this detail have no clue. Many also don’t know if there’s corn starch in the latex gloves their employees use when handling the products. Yup, some people have to ask about that too.

Does Meat Contain Corn?

Let’s forget for a moment that most farm raised animals (and some farmed fish) in the United States are fed corn. Whilst it’s considered rare to not be able to eat these meats, it’s a thing. I happen to be one of the lucky ones who can’t eat the products of animals fed corn. Wahooo!

The bigger problem most are unaware of is the butchering process. Corn is usually in the wash (the FDA has treatment regulations for meat processing and most butchers use the option that contains corn). To top it off, there’s usually corn derivatives in the soaker pads used to package the meat. I know, isn’t this awesome?

So then, what do you do? You search high and low to find farmers that are doing things right. I only know of two companies available nationwide (via online ordering) and possibly a third.

Where your meats are concerned, you have to know what they were fed, what they were injected with, how they were butchered & processed, how they were packaged, and if you purchase from a grocery store… You need to know how the store handled the meat as well. RAISE has a Corn Free Course on sourcing safe meat. Personally, I don’t purchase corn free meats from grocery stores, as I’ve found them to be pretty untrustworthy. Going direct has yielded me the best results.

Related: 25 Ideas for Your Corn Free Ground Bison

25 Easy Ground Bison Recipes and Ideas by The Allergy Chef (Gluten Free, Allergy Friendly, Truly Corn Free)

Corn In Medications

So, again, another very long topic. So long there’s a whole Corn Free Course devoted to the topic that also includes links to more resources. Having medication compounded is the only real solution for those who have a severe corn allergy.

​You’ll need your doctor to help with this, even for OTC medications, but it is possible to get truly corn free medication, that’s even cellulose free. The biggest tip I can give you is this: don’t wait until you need the medication, especially if you’re managing a child with a corn allergy.

Once you have the medication, set three reminders for yourself, two months before they expire so you can jump through all of the refilling hoops.

Corn In Adhesives

I thought I was going to die one night… I was sitting in the bathroom unable to move and thought. Wow. How embarrassing that this is how I go. It took more than 20 minutes to put on pants and make it out of the room… My vitals were ALL OVER the place and I just knew, this was it.

The culprit: sticky tape. I had been working on a project putting together a paper prototype of my first cookbook, and it nearly killed me. Since then, I take my contact allergy VERY seriously. Well, it’s not to say that I didn’t before that, but that experience really drove home just how little corn I can tolerate.

You may be able to tolerate touching tape, or you may be in my boat. If you’re like me, having someone else do all the touching can make a world of difference in the long run. Managing a contact allergy means a lot of extra work, and having several pairs of leather gloves all over the house and in your vehicle.

Interestingly, when I was attempting to test drive new trucks a while back, I simply couldn’t. I made the mistake of touching a steering wheel for maybe ten seconds. My fingers were then burning and had to call it quits. So, make sure you always wear your gloves if you have a contact allergy.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free Truly Corn Free Lemon Cake Bundle Tutorial by The Allergy Chef (Vegan, Top 9 Allergy Free)
Corn Free Cake Bundle: Recipes & Step-by-Step Video Tutorials

Corn In, Well, Everything

As I said earlier, corn is essentially in anything and everything. It can be really hard to navigate the modern world whilst avoiding corn. It’s even in ethanol (gasoline) which is why some people like me can’t even gas up their own vehicle safely or be exposed to idling vehicles. Here’s the good news though: all the resources you need to get started already exist.

The Legacy Corn Free Product Guide alone will save you hundreds upon hundreds of phone calls and emails. You download the list and boom, you have awesome leads for shopping some of the safest and cleanest brands I can vouch for.

When you tap into articles, courses, and safe product list on RAISE, suddenly you’ll find the journey isn’t nearly as hard. Honestly, I do all of this because I was there once, on day one looking at a grocery store, only to realize I could buy ONE item. Out of the thousands of products, ONE.

Being new is devastating in its own way and had RAISE been a thing back then, oh man would my life have been a million times easier.

So Then, What Can You Eat With A Corn Allergy?

The great news is, a LOT! Now, most of you reading have a corn allergy and maybe you’re also gluten free and something else. I invite you to start with the Advanced Recipe Search which has more than 150 filters for major allergens, less common allergens, special diets, meal types, and special features such as freezer friendly. Take it for a spin and see what you CAN eat with a corn allergy.

When thinking about your corn free plate, it’s good to start with major food groups: fruits, vegetables, protein, and starches. In the case of protein, you’ll generally want to avoid all poultry when you have a corn allergy, unless you’ve found a farmer that uses a corn free animal feed (super duper rare). But remember, it’s more than just the feed.

With produce, start at the farmer’s market so you can talk to the source. For starches, ask companies about shared equipment, as there are very few starches made on corn free equipment. The Legacy Corn Free Product Guide has a list of brands to start with.

No matter where you are on your journey, I wish you all the best in finding foods that are safe and delicious!!

Related: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Truly Corn Free Recipes

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Truly Corn Free Recipes by The Allergy Chef

My Top 10 Fave Corn Free Products

If you’re struggling with what to eat when you have a corn allergy, start with my Top 10 Corn Free Products Guide. What’s great about these top 10 truly corn free products is that I take everything into account. Product packaging, transportation, shared equipment with allergens, and a lot more. The more you learn about corn, the more you’ll realize there aren’t a lot of truly corn free products available.

However, here’s the hope I can give you: there are enough corn free products for you to thrive. Now, there will be a huge requirement of elbow grease, but, you can have your cake and eat it too. Quite literally. This Bakery Chocolate Cake recipe on RAISE for example is from my award winning bakery, and I outline all the ingredient sourcing which is truly corn free.

Batch cooking in conjunction with the use of truly corn free raw materials is what’s going to make your life manageable in the long run. I know this because I’m living proof. You CAN do this.

Top 10 Fave Truly Corn Free Products by The Allergy Chef

Additional Resources on RAISE

Answering Your Corn Allergy Questions

What are the safest veggies to purchase with a corn allergy?

The safest veggies to purchase will be from a local farmer’s market. You need to be able to ask about fertilizers used, the harvesting process, etc. It’s also the best way to get unwashed “dirty” produce, which is less likely to contain corn. I’ve also found that vegetable wax is nearly nonexistent at the farmer’s market.

Is there any type of cheese I can purchase with a corn allergy?

I’ve found that grass fed, grass finished, high-end cheeses made with animal rennet are your best bet for corn free cheese. Additionally, I’ve personally had great luck with European sheep cheese, though, I am allergic to cow’s milk, so I can’t vouch for the domestic market.

You’ll want to visit a high quality cheese shop where they’ll be able to tell you about where the cheese was imported from, farm names, ingredients, etc. Where possible, purchase the whole wheel so you can eliminate another layer of contact with other ingredients (and cutting boards, knives, etc.).

Does anyone sell corn free yeast?

You’ll want to get the three packet package of Red Star Gluten Free Yeast. Outside of that, I don’t know of any other truly corn free yeast packets. You can also make things like sourdough starter at home if you’d like to experiment more with that type of baking. Rustic Scoop has courses on gluten free sourdough.

Is it possible to make corn free bread at home?

Yes, it’s very possible. You can bake yeasted bread, yeast free bread, sourdough bread, tortillas, and even crackers at home, all truly corn free. RAISE has a whole section of recipes dedicated to breads.

Is cane sugar corn free?

Sometimes cane sugar is corn free. By pure definition alone, cane sugar is corn free. Through processing and manufacturing, a lot of cane sugar isn’t corn free. There are only a few brands of cane sugar that people in the corn free community tend to be able to eat.

One issue, especially with powdered sugar, is the added starch and shared equipment. One popular brand that makes organic cane sugar shared with me that the first step in manufacturing their sugar also processes a corn ingredient. The rest of the equipment is corn free, but you can’t avoid step one, and it renders all of their items corn contaminated.

Make sure you ask lots of questions about the sourcing of the sugar, especially if you see “sugar” on food labels. Was it beet sugar, organic sugar, turbinado sugar, or some other type of sugar? Sugar can be difficult to deal with, and you may have better results with something like organic maple sugar from a small farm.

What type of honey can I purchase with a corn allergy?

The brand Y.S. Honey has had good reviews from people with a corn allergy. You should also check out the NoniLand honey, and organic Manuka Honey from Wedderspoon. Make sure you ask lots of questions before purchasing, as these companies can change since I typed this out.

Can I have malt if I’m allergic to corn?

In theory, yes, you can have malt if you’re allergic to corn. 99% of the time, malt is made from barley. If you’re not allergic to barley and you’re able to find a manufacturer that’s essentially producing truly corn free malt, you’d be able to have it. Finding that producer, that’s your needle in the haystack you’ll need to find.

Are tree nuts corn free?

In their purest form, tree nuts are generally a corn free food. However, the presence of corn can come in a few ways: the fertilizer, processing facility, and packaging.

For the best luck in sourcing truly corn free tree nuts, look for “raw organic tree nuts” for sale online, and try to find a brand that’s sourcing from a single small farm. You’ll pay a lot for these tree nuts, but they’ll most likely be truly corn free.

Is butter corn free?

Cow’s milk butter is generally corn free, but as we’ve learned, it’s never that easy. If we’re talking about grass fed, grass finished, organic butter from a small farm that you got at the farmer’s market, there’s a good chance it’s truly corn free. Plus, you can ask the farmer lots of questions.

All other butter? I’d have a lot of questions to ask. I’ve heard good things about the Kerry Gold brand, but as someone with a milk allergy, I can’t personally vouch for their butter. I’ll also add this: you won’t be finding truly corn free dairy free butter. Between the enzymes, additives, and very nature of those products, they’ll all contain some kind of corn derivative.

Where can I purchase corn free snacks?

Hard answer: you really can’t. There are maybe 10 fully processed foods that I know of that are truly corn free, and even then, none are traditional snacks.

For corn free snacks, you’re going to have to make them at home. Remember though, when I say corn free, I mean truly corn free and no corn derivatives. If you’re able to tolerate corn derivatives, it’s a whole different ballgame. Start by looking for super clean, minimal ingredient snacks, usually in the Paleo sector of the market.

Do I have to do a food challenge?

A food challenge, sometimes called an oral challenge (or even food trials), is entirely voluntary. Neither you nor your child have to do a food challenge if it makes you uncomfortable. Know that these are done under the supervision of your medical team, and they can intervene if there are signs of an allergic reaction.

I will say this: I’ve met adults who were put through countless food challenges and allergy tests as children. Their parents would test and test every year, and the child wouldn’t pass. They’ve told me as adults that they hated those tests and felt like a failure because they didn’t pass and their parents were disappointed.

Are all parents like that? No. Of course not. However, keep in mind that kids internalize things and if you’re constantly testing a child for food allergies, it can have a lasting effect on them.

Is it safe for a child with a corn allergy to attend school?

That’s going to depend on the child’s tolerance level, and if they have an airborne or contact allergy. If the have the latter, no, school would not be a safe setting. Should you choose to send them, they would experience a great deal of discomfort daily, and that alone can lead to the inability to learn well.

If they have a corn allergy, can tolerate trace amounts of corn, and there’s no airborne or contact allergy management, I think school could be a safe setting, with a solid 504 plan in place.

For toddlers who are in daycare and preschool, no, little kiddos with a corn allergy wouldn’t be safe. One of the biggest issues is that there are simply too many variables to account for, including toys and school supplies. Now, if you found the absolute perfect preschool, I’d say maybe, but even then, I’d move forward with a great deal of caution.

Are eggs corn free?

Yes and no. To get truly corn free eggs. you need to find a farm that doesn’t use an animal feed with corn products. It’s H.A.R.D. In all my years, I’ve found two farms.

Should you manage to find one, be prepared to pay $10 – $15 per dozen. Websites like Eat Wild can help you look for leads, and also ask around at your local farmer’s market.

Where can I find corn free reicpes?

If you’re new to making truly corn free meals, check out the corn free recipes RAISE (membership website). I’ve been told time and again that it’s the leading source online for truly corn free recipes and accurate corn allergy information.

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