With food allergies on the rise, egg allergies are also increasing. This is another of the food allergies that is typically outgrown by the time a child is school-aged, although some more severe cases persist.

Egg Allergies and the MMR Vaccine

While many parents of children with egg allergies fear the MMR vaccine, research has shown, time and again, that this vaccine is safe for egg allergic individuals. To practice extra caution, a vaccinated child can be monitored in the doctor's office following the administration of the MMR. It's important to weigh the research that supports MMR immunizations for egg allergic children versus the dangers of not immunizing. "MMR is grown on chick embryo fibroblast cell lines, and it is doubtful, based on very sensitive inhibition ELISAs, that there is any egg protein present. The second article reviews nearly 1,000 cases of MMR administration in egg-allergic children with no problem and reviews the reported cases of adverse reactions."1

Canadian health care professionals are of the same frame of mind regarding administration of the MMR vaccine. "A measles-rubella combination vaccine (Mo-Ru Viraten Berna TM) recently licensed in Canada contains no avian proteins and therefore can be used without regard to egg allergy."2

Baking Without Eggs

Most baking can be adapted, using either a commercial egg subsitution, or a quick mix of baking powder, oil and water or other substitutions. I bake muffins, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, loaves, and bread - all with wonderful results. There are several commercial egg replacers available in health food stores. A Canadian company, 'Nelson David,' produces a product called Celimix, and Ener-G Foods has a similar product called Ener-G Egg Replacer. Both products are gluten free also.

Celimix Ingredients: Corn starch, soya flour, baking powder, guar gum

Ener-G Ingredients: Potato starch, tapioca flour, leavening (calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, citric acid), carbohydrate gum (methylcellulose).

Other Egg Substitutions in Baking
As Binders

  • 1 tbsp ground flax mixed with 3 tbsp water - let stand for one minute
  • 1/2 large mashed banana
  • 1/4 cup apple sauce or pureed prunes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons water, 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Combine one packet of unflavored gelatin with one cup boiling water - 3 tablespoons of this mixture equal one egg
  • 1 tablespoon apricot puree
  • 1/4 cup of soft tofu
  • 1/4 cup soy milk

    As Leavening

  • Dissolve 1 teaspoon yeast in 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of soy flour and one tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon bean flour and 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder mixed with 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons gluten flour or unbleached white flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons corn oil, 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 2 tablespoons water
  • For Whipping 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum with about 1/4 cup of water. Let stand. It thickens, and can be whipped like an egg white




    1HA Sampson
    2National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Supplementary statement MMR vaccine and anaphylactic hypersensitivity to egg or egg-related antigens

    Please come back again. This site is new and far from complete, so watch for more extensive information at a later date.



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