So You've Been Diagnosed with a Corn Allergy, Now What?
I knew there was a problem when the nurse looked at his skin test, dropped her head, and scurried out of the exam room. When the doctor came back in with the results and solemnly stated, "your son is allergic to corn," I thought okay, so he can't have corn syrup and corn starch. Their apologetic expressions should have tipped me off that being allergic to corn is a much bigger deal than I could have ever imagined and on that summer day in 2007, my world would be forever changed.
As many of you know by now, having found this site, that corn is found in what feels like everything. From animal crackers to zebra cakes, toothpaste, make-up, medications and an unending list of other mentionables, you can no longer assume something is safe. You must know the aka's of corn and be certain they are not derived from corn. Calling the manufacturer is helpful but don't always depend on them to know. Many times the customer service reps are dependent on databases that only include information on the Big 8 food allergens which doesn't include corn. Ask to speak to a supervisor and explain the seriousness of your inquiry. Usually, the risk of liability motivates them to be exhaustive in their efforts to verify the source of their ingredients. To gain a better understanding of the American food industry and just how infused corn is in everything we eat, I highly recommend the Oscar nominated PBS documentary, Food, Inc. You may also find another documentary, King Corn, helpful. Both documentaries were available on PBS.org and streaming on Netflix as of 08/2011. More information on the Big 8 food allergens (milk, egg, soybeans, fish, shellfish, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts) which comprise 90% of all food allergies can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm.
On a positive note, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are many people who have gone before you, having been diagnosed with a corn allergy long before there were websites and blogs devoted to sharing information, who gathered massive amounts of information on products to determine what is and isn't safe. The list below includes a basic shopping list where you can buy safe items from your local grocery or health food store (Kroger & Whole Foods Market for example).
We spent the first 4 years of my son's corn allergy living "reactively." Since there was no treatment for his food allergies other than to avoid the offenders (corn, egg, wheat, peanut, and buckwheat), we ran around trying to remove all of the allergens from his environment. It was EXHAUSTING trying to avoid all of his allergens (ESPECIALLY corn) in not only his food but in his medicine, arts & crafts supplies, soaps, detergents, tape...the list is endless! Then in the Fall of 2011 we learned about a book that would forever change our life, for the better. Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride would provide us with the opportunity to take a proactive approach to food allergies and attempt to cure the problem instead of simply reacting to it. This book was an absolute Godsend and has truly changed our lives. See the GAPS Resources link above for more information if you want to know how to take curative measures toward healing your food allergies. Hope deferred makes the heart grow sick; hopefully this site will help you take heart and increase your hope that you and your family can live normal, productive, healthy lives.
My Pantry
The list of foods below represents what we eat. There are many more corn free foods however, below is what you’ll find in our pantry. You will likely need to make periodic trips to organic food stores such as Trader Joes, Earth Fare, or Whole Foods Market. Some large chain grocery stores such as Kroger carry some of the specialty items (such as gluten free mixes) but you will probably need to make a stop at an organic/natural foods store at least once a month. As with any food allergy, you need to carefully challenge each food individually for yourself before determining it is indeed corn-free. My son is a 4+ to corn which is highly sensitive/allergic. The foods below represent a list of things he has eaten without causing an allergic reaction. As always, you must test products for yourself to determine if it will cause a reaction in you. Never take someone's word for it, not all corn allergies are created equally. If you are uncertain about the ingredients of a particular product, you might find the website, foodfacts.com, helpful (http://www.foodfacts.com).
Produce
To avoid nasty pesticides and ill effects of genetically engineered fruits and vegetables, try to buy organic produce as often as possible. If cost is an issue, at least buy your strawberries, celery, and apples organic (they have the highest pesticide levels). Your best bet is to grow your own produce or purchase it from the farmer's market where it is grown locally and less likely to be gassed with a corn laden ripening agent or waxed with a corn laden solution to make them look more appealing (peeling the fruit or vegetable will usually resolve the wax problem). Frozen produce (especially fruit) can also be sprayed with a preserving solution that contains corn derivatives so be cautious. Keep in mind each person is different and your allergy may not require such extreme measures. We eat the following fresh organic produce (peeled if it has a waxy coating) that includes but is not limited to:
Bananas (Chiquita non-organic brand, commonly found at Wal-Mart)
Grapes
Apples
Peaches
Pears
Lettuce
Kale
Cucumbers
Squash
Zuccini
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
Carrots (be cautious of peeled baby carrots in the bag, some are washed in a corn based citric acid solution,
dirty carrots that look fresh from the ground are best)
Dairy
Dannon Plain Greek yogurt (most flavored yogurts have food starch or pectin derived from corn), see
GAPS Resources page for instructions on making your own yogurt
Organic Milk without added vitamins (we buy the Great Value brand (Wal-Mart) and the Kroger brand of
organic whole milk in the plastic gallon jug, some cardboard cartons have a wax coating on inside that
can be made using corn derivatives, in addition added vitamins to milk can contain corn derivatives;
most people with a mild corn allergy will tolerate vitamin fortified milk without issue).
Breakstone's Sour Cream - full fat
Daisy Sour Cream - full fat
Daisy 4% milkfat Cottage Cheese
Horizon Organic Cream Cheese
Organic Valley Mild and Sharp Cheddar Cheeses
Kerrygold Dubliner Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Meat
Meat is often sprayed or injected with a solution that plumps, enhances color, or preserves the meat. This solution most often contains corn derivatives. Most of the meat you buy in big box or local grocery store chains are going to be sprayed with this solution. Depending on the severity of your allergy you may be able to tolerate it. Your best bet is to find a local meat market that sells meat grown locally. Ask the butcher how the meat was processed and especially if the meat has been sprayed with a citric acid solution. If so, don't buy it. If the butcher at the meat market doesn't know then ask him for the number to the processing plant where the animals are slaughtered. For reasons not related to a corn allergy, I encourage you to buy organic, grass fed beef and free range chicken grown without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. Below are the meats we eat:
Great Value Wild Caught Salmon (from the meat department's freezer section at Wal-Mart), only
ingredient is salmon, DO NOT buy the packages that include sodium triphosphate or any ingredient
other than salmon
Wild Planet Low Mercury Wild Albacore Tuna No Salt
Bumblebee Solid White Albacore Very Low Sodium tuna in the gold can (label must read exactly as
stated)
Aaron's Kosher for Passover chicken (in the fresh meat case, may also be found in the freezer section)
Empire Kosher whole chicken and turkey (in the fresh meat case, may also be found in the freezer section)
Boar's Head Deluxe Low Sodium Turkey Breast (in the deli, sometimes causes a reaction but most likely
cross contamination of the slicer blades, be the first one at the deli counter in the morning before the
slicer has been used to cut other meat)
Boar's Head Deluxe Low Sodium Rare Roast Beef (in the deli, sometimes causes a reaction but most likely
cross contamination of the slicer blades, be the first one at the deli counter in the morning before the
slicer has been used to cut other meat)
Farmers Hickory Uncured Bacon
Meat obtained from local butcher shops (your local co-op would be a good place to start)
Baking Mixes & Baking Needs
There are numerous baking mixes that claim to be corn free but beware of those that state they are corn free yet contain xanthan gum. People highly sensitive to corn will often react to xanthan gum (which is grown on corn sugar) although the ingredient states all traces of corn have been removed. This is not always true! 123GlutenFree makes numerous baking mixes that they claim are corn free (http://www.123glutenfree.com/). Foodfacts.com reports their products contain corn and I confirmed their xanthan gum is derived from corn. My son experiences a slight reaction to their mixes so someone with a mild to moderate allergy may tolerate their products well. That said, their products taste great, albeit pricey, and are also gluten free. If a mix requires more than 2 eggs, you will have to experiment to find the best replacement if egg allergic. Ener-G Egg Replacer is not an option because the citric acid in it is derived from corn. Ground flaxseed (1 tbsp to 3 tbsp water for each egg), banana, additional baking powder & water, applesauce, pumpkin puree, and chick peas have all been used successfully in baking. The mixes below claim to be corn and gluten/wheat free:
123 Gluten Free Allie's Awesome Buckwheat Pancakes mix*
123 Gluten Free Sweet Goodness Pan Bar mix (use chick pea egg replacement recipe found on inside of
box if allergic to eggs)*
123 Gluten Free Meredith's Marvelous Muffin/Quickbread mix*
123 Gluten Free Lindsay's Lipsmackin' Roll Out & Cut Sugar Cookie mix*
Chebe Bread mix
Chebe Pizza Dough mix
Chebe Cinnamon Roll mix
Namaste Waffle/Pancake mix (if allergic to eggs, 1 large banana for 2 eggs works well)
Redmond Real Salt (sea salt, non iodized)
Featherweight baking powder (you can also make your own by using cream of tartar and baking soda, the
recipe can be found at: http://www.grouprecipes.com/83473/corn-free-baking-powder.html
Red Star Active Dry Yeast (must NOT contain sorbitan monostearate which is a corn derivative, only
ingredient should be yeast)
Kroger brand white whole wheat flour (NOT enriched, only ingredient is whole wheat flour, NOT gluten
free)
Miss Roben’s Mixes (the mixes that are corn free will state so, mixes were formerly available on
allergygrocer.com but are currently unavailable, the manufacturer states they will become available
again soon)
Pamela's Products baking mixes use a corn based xanthan gum that could cause a reaction in highly sensitive people (if nut allergic, cross contamination issues may be a concern). While some corn allergic people can eat products containing xanthan gum, many cannot. You will need to test these products for yourself. If you are able to tolerate xanthan gum, Pamela's Gluten-Free Bread Mix is tasty and may work for you.Bob's Red Mill brand gluten free line is widely available in big box and local grocery store chains but is notorious for causing corn reactions (even though they state the product is corn free). The multiple, inconsistent reactions are likely due to the fact that the brand also produces corn meal (often consumed by those shopping for gluten free products). It is very possible the first few runs on the production line after corn meal could be easily contaminated. This might explain why the brand will sometimes cause reactions in corn allergics and sometimes not. Based on the above and your own degree of sensitivity, you'll need to determine for yourself if the brand will work for you.
Breads
Without a doubt, your safest option is to bake your own bread (see the Recipes link at the top of this page for a quick and easy corn free artisan bread recipe). If the pre-made bread ingredients don't contain corn then the degumming methods used on the equipment the bread is made on likely contain corn and can contaminate the bread. The easiest method is to buy the book, Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day (http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_bw.). Seriously, the book will show you how to make a large batch of bread dough that will last for 2 weeks in your fridge. Just pull out enough for a loaf and put the rest back in the fridge. If you need gluten free bread, they also have gluten free recipes in their newer book, Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day (http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Bread-Five-Minutes-Day/dp/0312545525/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_bww.).
If you're not into baking and you have a mild allergy, the breads below might work for you.
Food for Life Yeast Free, Wheat & Gluten Free Multi Seed Rice Bread (found in freezer section of health
food stores and Kroger organic food aisle) http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/yeast-free-
products/breads/yeast-free- wheat-and-gluten-free-multi-seed-rice-bread
Ener-G Rice loafs (also gluten free, found in health food stores and Kroger organic food aisle, NOT tasty)
Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat bread (corn "light", people with a mild allergy may be able to tolerate
it)
Arnold Real Jewish Rye (corn "light", people with a mild allergy may be able to tolerate it)
More corn and gluten free bread recipes can be found at: http://organicgrainfreevegan.blogspot.com/
Canned Foods
I have read that the salt in Del Monte canned vegetables is not iodized and is therefore corn free. We have eaten various Del Monte canned vegetables without issue. Don't assume, if a product has added salt, it could contain traces of corn until you confirm the salt is not iodized.
Del Monte 100% Juice Pear Halves
Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans
Libby canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix, only ingredient is pumpkin)
Kroger brand Lite Pear Halves in 100% juice and water
Kroger brand Lite Peaches in 100% juice and water
Great Value (Wal-Mart) Pear Halves in 100% juice (only ingredients are pears, water, and pear juice
concentrate)
Great Value (Wal-Mart) Sliced Peaches in 100% juice (only ingredients are peaches, water, and pear juice
concentrate)
Snacks and Cereal
Processed foods that are truly corn-free are difficult to find. After I ventured further into the realm of gluten free shopping, I realized there are a lot more corn-free foods in the gluten free product section. Shopping the cookie aisle at Wal-Mart will simply leave you in tears. Take heart though, there are prepackaged cookies and treats that are corn-free. Some of the foods below may contain traces of corn and depending on your sensitivity, you may be able to tolerate them. As always, you will need to test items for yourself to see what you can tolerate, never take someone else's word for it.
Chicarrones Original Pork Skins (Wal-Mart, original flavor only-only ingredient is fried pork skins, the
flavored varieties have corn derived maltodextrin)
Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice (corn, wheat, and GF)
Post Shredded Wheat Cereal (original and spoon size, NOT frosted, only ingredients are whole wheat and
BHT, contains wheat)
Arrowhead Mills Puffed Wheat Cereal (only ingredient is wheat)
Arrowhead Mills Puffed Rice Cereal (only ingredient is rice)
Rice Chex (corn "light", people with mild allergy may be able to tolerate it, gluten-free)
Triscuits (corn "light", people with mild allergy may be able to tolerate it, contains wheat)
Lakewood Organic Apple Juice
Kedem 100% Concord Grape Juice (can be found at Sam's Club for around $10 for 2 64oz bottles or in the
Kosher foods section of Kroger).
Baby Foods/Formula
The only truly corn free formula that I am aware of is Similac's Expert Care Ready to Feed (formerly Alimentum) http://similac.com/baby-formula/similac-expert-care-alimentum?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=similac%20alimentum&utm_campaign=2010%20Tolerance-%20Brand.
Beech Nut, Gerber, Parent's Choice, and Earth's Best all use corn based ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in their baby foods (most often found in fruit varieties). Beech Nut has a variety of vegetables and meats that do not contain corn, you can search for them at foodfacts.com. Look for the ones without ascorbic acid.
Medications/Vitamins/Toiletries
Corn starch and other corn derivatives including fructose are commonly used as binders and flavorings in medications and vitamins. Do not assume a medication is corn free because it is a tablet or capsule, the tablet may have corn starch based binders and the capsule may have a corn based cellulose shell. If, after speaking to the manufacturer, you cannot be 100% sure it is corn-free, do not take it if you are highly sensitive to corn. Most of what my son takes is compounded by a pharmacist who uses a corn free suspension and the powder form of the medication. His ibuprofen, guaifenesin, antibiotics, and Claritin are all compounded because we have been unable to find a truly corn-free over the counter (OTC) product. However, as the number of people with a corn allergy has grown, so have the number of corn-free medications and products. So take heart, you can get your child's medication compounded if you can't find it OTC.
Twin Lab's Quercetin + C (we use this to treat reactions to food allergens along with homemade kraut
juice)
Twin Lab's Allergy C
Nature Made Vitamin E (d-alpha, NOT cheaper dl-alpha) liquid softgels (confirmed with company E is
derived from soybeans)
Nature Made Fish Oil 1200mg liquid softgels (confirmed with company tocopherol is from soybeans and
product has no corn)
Kirkman Labs Children's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Hypoallergenic (I have not personally tried this one but
others report no reaction; Vita Kids by Douglas Labs declares to be corn free but caused a reaction in
my son on 2 separate attempts, therefore I cannot recommend it).
Squigle Toothpaste
For a comprehensive corn free/light list see the link below. Be aware that some of the products on their list have caused allergic reactions in my son so I can't recommend all of their products. It is a list that took years of trial and error on the author's part and a lot of time went into developing it. On a positive note, corn allergies are very individual and you may tolerate the products without issue. As always, you must test each product yourself to determine if it is indeed safe for you: http://corn-freefoods.blogspot.com/2012/01/corn-free-list-little-more-updated.html
As many of you know by now, having found this site, that corn is found in what feels like everything. From animal crackers to zebra cakes, toothpaste, make-up, medications and an unending list of other mentionables, you can no longer assume something is safe. You must know the aka's of corn and be certain they are not derived from corn. Calling the manufacturer is helpful but don't always depend on them to know. Many times the customer service reps are dependent on databases that only include information on the Big 8 food allergens which doesn't include corn. Ask to speak to a supervisor and explain the seriousness of your inquiry. Usually, the risk of liability motivates them to be exhaustive in their efforts to verify the source of their ingredients. To gain a better understanding of the American food industry and just how infused corn is in everything we eat, I highly recommend the Oscar nominated PBS documentary, Food, Inc. You may also find another documentary, King Corn, helpful. Both documentaries were available on PBS.org and streaming on Netflix as of 08/2011. More information on the Big 8 food allergens (milk, egg, soybeans, fish, shellfish, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts) which comprise 90% of all food allergies can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm.
On a positive note, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are many people who have gone before you, having been diagnosed with a corn allergy long before there were websites and blogs devoted to sharing information, who gathered massive amounts of information on products to determine what is and isn't safe. The list below includes a basic shopping list where you can buy safe items from your local grocery or health food store (Kroger & Whole Foods Market for example).
We spent the first 4 years of my son's corn allergy living "reactively." Since there was no treatment for his food allergies other than to avoid the offenders (corn, egg, wheat, peanut, and buckwheat), we ran around trying to remove all of the allergens from his environment. It was EXHAUSTING trying to avoid all of his allergens (ESPECIALLY corn) in not only his food but in his medicine, arts & crafts supplies, soaps, detergents, tape...the list is endless! Then in the Fall of 2011 we learned about a book that would forever change our life, for the better. Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride would provide us with the opportunity to take a proactive approach to food allergies and attempt to cure the problem instead of simply reacting to it. This book was an absolute Godsend and has truly changed our lives. See the GAPS Resources link above for more information if you want to know how to take curative measures toward healing your food allergies. Hope deferred makes the heart grow sick; hopefully this site will help you take heart and increase your hope that you and your family can live normal, productive, healthy lives.
My Pantry
The list of foods below represents what we eat. There are many more corn free foods however, below is what you’ll find in our pantry. You will likely need to make periodic trips to organic food stores such as Trader Joes, Earth Fare, or Whole Foods Market. Some large chain grocery stores such as Kroger carry some of the specialty items (such as gluten free mixes) but you will probably need to make a stop at an organic/natural foods store at least once a month. As with any food allergy, you need to carefully challenge each food individually for yourself before determining it is indeed corn-free. My son is a 4+ to corn which is highly sensitive/allergic. The foods below represent a list of things he has eaten without causing an allergic reaction. As always, you must test products for yourself to determine if it will cause a reaction in you. Never take someone's word for it, not all corn allergies are created equally. If you are uncertain about the ingredients of a particular product, you might find the website, foodfacts.com, helpful (http://www.foodfacts.com).
Produce
To avoid nasty pesticides and ill effects of genetically engineered fruits and vegetables, try to buy organic produce as often as possible. If cost is an issue, at least buy your strawberries, celery, and apples organic (they have the highest pesticide levels). Your best bet is to grow your own produce or purchase it from the farmer's market where it is grown locally and less likely to be gassed with a corn laden ripening agent or waxed with a corn laden solution to make them look more appealing (peeling the fruit or vegetable will usually resolve the wax problem). Frozen produce (especially fruit) can also be sprayed with a preserving solution that contains corn derivatives so be cautious. Keep in mind each person is different and your allergy may not require such extreme measures. We eat the following fresh organic produce (peeled if it has a waxy coating) that includes but is not limited to:
Bananas (Chiquita non-organic brand, commonly found at Wal-Mart)
Grapes
Apples
Peaches
Pears
Lettuce
Kale
Cucumbers
Squash
Zuccini
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Sweet potatoes
Potatoes
Carrots (be cautious of peeled baby carrots in the bag, some are washed in a corn based citric acid solution,
dirty carrots that look fresh from the ground are best)
Dairy
Dannon Plain Greek yogurt (most flavored yogurts have food starch or pectin derived from corn), see
GAPS Resources page for instructions on making your own yogurt
Organic Milk without added vitamins (we buy the Great Value brand (Wal-Mart) and the Kroger brand of
organic whole milk in the plastic gallon jug, some cardboard cartons have a wax coating on inside that
can be made using corn derivatives, in addition added vitamins to milk can contain corn derivatives;
most people with a mild corn allergy will tolerate vitamin fortified milk without issue).
Breakstone's Sour Cream - full fat
Daisy Sour Cream - full fat
Daisy 4% milkfat Cottage Cheese
Horizon Organic Cream Cheese
Organic Valley Mild and Sharp Cheddar Cheeses
Kerrygold Dubliner Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Meat
Meat is often sprayed or injected with a solution that plumps, enhances color, or preserves the meat. This solution most often contains corn derivatives. Most of the meat you buy in big box or local grocery store chains are going to be sprayed with this solution. Depending on the severity of your allergy you may be able to tolerate it. Your best bet is to find a local meat market that sells meat grown locally. Ask the butcher how the meat was processed and especially if the meat has been sprayed with a citric acid solution. If so, don't buy it. If the butcher at the meat market doesn't know then ask him for the number to the processing plant where the animals are slaughtered. For reasons not related to a corn allergy, I encourage you to buy organic, grass fed beef and free range chicken grown without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. Below are the meats we eat:
Great Value Wild Caught Salmon (from the meat department's freezer section at Wal-Mart), only
ingredient is salmon, DO NOT buy the packages that include sodium triphosphate or any ingredient
other than salmon
Wild Planet Low Mercury Wild Albacore Tuna No Salt
Bumblebee Solid White Albacore Very Low Sodium tuna in the gold can (label must read exactly as
stated)
Aaron's Kosher for Passover chicken (in the fresh meat case, may also be found in the freezer section)
Empire Kosher whole chicken and turkey (in the fresh meat case, may also be found in the freezer section)
Boar's Head Deluxe Low Sodium Turkey Breast (in the deli, sometimes causes a reaction but most likely
cross contamination of the slicer blades, be the first one at the deli counter in the morning before the
slicer has been used to cut other meat)
Boar's Head Deluxe Low Sodium Rare Roast Beef (in the deli, sometimes causes a reaction but most likely
cross contamination of the slicer blades, be the first one at the deli counter in the morning before the
slicer has been used to cut other meat)
Farmers Hickory Uncured Bacon
Meat obtained from local butcher shops (your local co-op would be a good place to start)
Baking Mixes & Baking Needs
There are numerous baking mixes that claim to be corn free but beware of those that state they are corn free yet contain xanthan gum. People highly sensitive to corn will often react to xanthan gum (which is grown on corn sugar) although the ingredient states all traces of corn have been removed. This is not always true! 123GlutenFree makes numerous baking mixes that they claim are corn free (http://www.123glutenfree.com/). Foodfacts.com reports their products contain corn and I confirmed their xanthan gum is derived from corn. My son experiences a slight reaction to their mixes so someone with a mild to moderate allergy may tolerate their products well. That said, their products taste great, albeit pricey, and are also gluten free. If a mix requires more than 2 eggs, you will have to experiment to find the best replacement if egg allergic. Ener-G Egg Replacer is not an option because the citric acid in it is derived from corn. Ground flaxseed (1 tbsp to 3 tbsp water for each egg), banana, additional baking powder & water, applesauce, pumpkin puree, and chick peas have all been used successfully in baking. The mixes below claim to be corn and gluten/wheat free:
123 Gluten Free Allie's Awesome Buckwheat Pancakes mix*
123 Gluten Free Sweet Goodness Pan Bar mix (use chick pea egg replacement recipe found on inside of
box if allergic to eggs)*
123 Gluten Free Meredith's Marvelous Muffin/Quickbread mix*
123 Gluten Free Lindsay's Lipsmackin' Roll Out & Cut Sugar Cookie mix*
Chebe Bread mix
Chebe Pizza Dough mix
Chebe Cinnamon Roll mix
Namaste Waffle/Pancake mix (if allergic to eggs, 1 large banana for 2 eggs works well)
Redmond Real Salt (sea salt, non iodized)
Featherweight baking powder (you can also make your own by using cream of tartar and baking soda, the
recipe can be found at: http://www.grouprecipes.com/83473/corn-free-baking-powder.html
Red Star Active Dry Yeast (must NOT contain sorbitan monostearate which is a corn derivative, only
ingredient should be yeast)
Kroger brand white whole wheat flour (NOT enriched, only ingredient is whole wheat flour, NOT gluten
free)
Miss Roben’s Mixes (the mixes that are corn free will state so, mixes were formerly available on
allergygrocer.com but are currently unavailable, the manufacturer states they will become available
again soon)
Pamela's Products baking mixes use a corn based xanthan gum that could cause a reaction in highly sensitive people (if nut allergic, cross contamination issues may be a concern). While some corn allergic people can eat products containing xanthan gum, many cannot. You will need to test these products for yourself. If you are able to tolerate xanthan gum, Pamela's Gluten-Free Bread Mix is tasty and may work for you.Bob's Red Mill brand gluten free line is widely available in big box and local grocery store chains but is notorious for causing corn reactions (even though they state the product is corn free). The multiple, inconsistent reactions are likely due to the fact that the brand also produces corn meal (often consumed by those shopping for gluten free products). It is very possible the first few runs on the production line after corn meal could be easily contaminated. This might explain why the brand will sometimes cause reactions in corn allergics and sometimes not. Based on the above and your own degree of sensitivity, you'll need to determine for yourself if the brand will work for you.
Breads
Without a doubt, your safest option is to bake your own bread (see the Recipes link at the top of this page for a quick and easy corn free artisan bread recipe). If the pre-made bread ingredients don't contain corn then the degumming methods used on the equipment the bread is made on likely contain corn and can contaminate the bread. The easiest method is to buy the book, Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day (http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_bw.). Seriously, the book will show you how to make a large batch of bread dough that will last for 2 weeks in your fridge. Just pull out enough for a loaf and put the rest back in the fridge. If you need gluten free bread, they also have gluten free recipes in their newer book, Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day (http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Bread-Five-Minutes-Day/dp/0312545525/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_bww.).
If you're not into baking and you have a mild allergy, the breads below might work for you.
Food for Life Yeast Free, Wheat & Gluten Free Multi Seed Rice Bread (found in freezer section of health
food stores and Kroger organic food aisle) http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/yeast-free-
products/breads/yeast-free- wheat-and-gluten-free-multi-seed-rice-bread
Ener-G Rice loafs (also gluten free, found in health food stores and Kroger organic food aisle, NOT tasty)
Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat bread (corn "light", people with a mild allergy may be able to tolerate
it)
Arnold Real Jewish Rye (corn "light", people with a mild allergy may be able to tolerate it)
More corn and gluten free bread recipes can be found at: http://organicgrainfreevegan.blogspot.com/
Canned Foods
I have read that the salt in Del Monte canned vegetables is not iodized and is therefore corn free. We have eaten various Del Monte canned vegetables without issue. Don't assume, if a product has added salt, it could contain traces of corn until you confirm the salt is not iodized.
Del Monte 100% Juice Pear Halves
Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans
Libby canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix, only ingredient is pumpkin)
Kroger brand Lite Pear Halves in 100% juice and water
Kroger brand Lite Peaches in 100% juice and water
Great Value (Wal-Mart) Pear Halves in 100% juice (only ingredients are pears, water, and pear juice
concentrate)
Great Value (Wal-Mart) Sliced Peaches in 100% juice (only ingredients are peaches, water, and pear juice
concentrate)
Snacks and Cereal
Processed foods that are truly corn-free are difficult to find. After I ventured further into the realm of gluten free shopping, I realized there are a lot more corn-free foods in the gluten free product section. Shopping the cookie aisle at Wal-Mart will simply leave you in tears. Take heart though, there are prepackaged cookies and treats that are corn-free. Some of the foods below may contain traces of corn and depending on your sensitivity, you may be able to tolerate them. As always, you will need to test items for yourself to see what you can tolerate, never take someone else's word for it.
Chicarrones Original Pork Skins (Wal-Mart, original flavor only-only ingredient is fried pork skins, the
flavored varieties have corn derived maltodextrin)
Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice (corn, wheat, and GF)
Post Shredded Wheat Cereal (original and spoon size, NOT frosted, only ingredients are whole wheat and
BHT, contains wheat)
Arrowhead Mills Puffed Wheat Cereal (only ingredient is wheat)
Arrowhead Mills Puffed Rice Cereal (only ingredient is rice)
Rice Chex (corn "light", people with mild allergy may be able to tolerate it, gluten-free)
Triscuits (corn "light", people with mild allergy may be able to tolerate it, contains wheat)
Lakewood Organic Apple Juice
Kedem 100% Concord Grape Juice (can be found at Sam's Club for around $10 for 2 64oz bottles or in the
Kosher foods section of Kroger).
Baby Foods/Formula
The only truly corn free formula that I am aware of is Similac's Expert Care Ready to Feed (formerly Alimentum) http://similac.com/baby-formula/similac-expert-care-alimentum?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=similac%20alimentum&utm_campaign=2010%20Tolerance-%20Brand.
Beech Nut, Gerber, Parent's Choice, and Earth's Best all use corn based ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in their baby foods (most often found in fruit varieties). Beech Nut has a variety of vegetables and meats that do not contain corn, you can search for them at foodfacts.com. Look for the ones without ascorbic acid.
Medications/Vitamins/Toiletries
Corn starch and other corn derivatives including fructose are commonly used as binders and flavorings in medications and vitamins. Do not assume a medication is corn free because it is a tablet or capsule, the tablet may have corn starch based binders and the capsule may have a corn based cellulose shell. If, after speaking to the manufacturer, you cannot be 100% sure it is corn-free, do not take it if you are highly sensitive to corn. Most of what my son takes is compounded by a pharmacist who uses a corn free suspension and the powder form of the medication. His ibuprofen, guaifenesin, antibiotics, and Claritin are all compounded because we have been unable to find a truly corn-free over the counter (OTC) product. However, as the number of people with a corn allergy has grown, so have the number of corn-free medications and products. So take heart, you can get your child's medication compounded if you can't find it OTC.
Twin Lab's Quercetin + C (we use this to treat reactions to food allergens along with homemade kraut
juice)
Twin Lab's Allergy C
Nature Made Vitamin E (d-alpha, NOT cheaper dl-alpha) liquid softgels (confirmed with company E is
derived from soybeans)
Nature Made Fish Oil 1200mg liquid softgels (confirmed with company tocopherol is from soybeans and
product has no corn)
Kirkman Labs Children's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Hypoallergenic (I have not personally tried this one but
others report no reaction; Vita Kids by Douglas Labs declares to be corn free but caused a reaction in
my son on 2 separate attempts, therefore I cannot recommend it).
Squigle Toothpaste
For a comprehensive corn free/light list see the link below. Be aware that some of the products on their list have caused allergic reactions in my son so I can't recommend all of their products. It is a list that took years of trial and error on the author's part and a lot of time went into developing it. On a positive note, corn allergies are very individual and you may tolerate the products without issue. As always, you must test each product yourself to determine if it is indeed safe for you: http://corn-freefoods.blogspot.com/2012/01/corn-free-list-little-more-updated.html