Cross-Contact: Food, Farming, & Allergens

When we think of farming, we rarely associate our farming practices with potentially life-threatening allergens.

Many of the farms I visit are undergoing preparation for their Harmonized GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification, and it is necessary to ask if allergens are present on the farm as part of the standard requirements. I often ask this question to my produce farmers while standing next to a chicken coop brimming with eggs or a picture-perfect peanut field. Commonly, I hear back, “no, no allergens on the farm.”

This is not surprising; many do not realize that six out of the top eight allergens can easily be found on a diversified Carolina farm.

Continue reading Kim Butz’s expert tip: Cross-Contact: Food, Farming, & Allergens