Are there any safe cold cuts out there?

As of 9/27/01, Oscar Meyer told me that their bologna is safe for dairy, egg, and nut allergies. We had it a few times last fall without reactions-but haven't had any this year. I would still consider it okay if the label looks safe (i.e. if they haven't added any obviously dangerous ingredients).

I eat Hormel hams...I just slice it at home.

I try to stick with Perdue products whenever possible. At BJ's Wholesale (US), I can get the double packs of sliced chicken and turkey. My kids love their shortcuts, too, although they're kind of pricey.

[This message has been edited by ryan's mom (edited February 09, 2002).]

I've never thought to worry about prepackaged cold cuts. We eat Oscar Meyer, Healthy Choice, & Louis Rich. I did not know there was a problem. Which company has a problem & in what way. Thanks for the info...Take care, Amy

Amy --

I don't know of any specific problems with cold cuts. I just never assume that any food is safe. Cross-contamination issues can arise in any food product, so I try to always adhere to the "better safe than sorry" motto. That's the reason for my post. It's good to know you've used pre-packaged cold cuts with no problems. I plan to call Oscar Meyer this week and I'll post what I find out. Thanks.

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Susan
Andre's Mom

I have called eckrich in the past and they said at the time that they didn't make any nut products. Also that the natural flavoring don't contain any peanut/tree nut.

Gale

I've never heard of any cross contamination issues with cold cuts...unless theyre slicing some sort of peanut butter loaf or something. Please be more specific, our kids have cold cuts all the time (although its nothing prepackaged, but rather the fresly sliced stuff).

I would suggest looking into "Shelton's" products. They make a good turkey bologna -- no "fillers", nitrites, etc. I think they may also have a chicken version.

We have used the cold cuts several times, and eat their turkey dogs on a regular basis. They also have turkey bacon, meatballs, soups and chilis.

As always, give them a call and see if *you* are comfortable with the information. It has been at least two years since we had the chili, and haven't tried the soups, so my experience with those products is non-existent/too dated to be useful. We haven't had any of their smoked sausage products in ages, so I can't vouch for those, either. M had turkey dogs yesterday, though, and is still going strong... [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]

Sue

Quote:Originally posted by redtruck:
[b]I've never heard of any cross contamination issues with cold cuts...unless theyre slicing some sort of peanut butter loaf or something. Please be more specific, our kids have cold cuts all the time (although its nothing prepackaged, but rather the fresly sliced stuff).[/b]

I won't buy cold cuts sliced in a deli simply because I have absolutely no idea what has been on the meat slicer. Many cold cuts are processed with "natural flavors" and packaged with oils, and there's just no way to know what every meat in the deli that could have come into contact with the slicer contains. Add to that the fact that many cheese producers willingly admit that their products are not safe for people with PA, and that's enough to keep me as far away from a deli as possible! I guess this is just another one of those "comfort level" decisions.

Since my original post, we've tried several of the Oscar Meyer packaged meats and had great success.

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Susan
Andre's Mom

I'm certainly not questioning your comfort level, but now what was that about cheese manufacturers saying not safe for pa?! My kids eat lots of cheese, sliced and not. I'm in the dark on this one, please help fill me in.

Quote:Originally posted by redtruck:
[b]I'm certainly not questioning your comfort level, but now what was that about cheese manufacturers saying not safe for pa?! My kids eat lots of cheese, sliced and not. I'm in the dark on this one, please help fill me in.[/b]

From what I've read on threads here (and not from calling the companies directly myself) both Land-o-Lakes and Kraft have stated their cheeses cannot be considered completely safe due to potential cross-contamination issues. I talked to the deli manager at my local supermarket (which is part of a HUGE regional chain in NY and PA), and even he told me he wouldn't recommend allowing my son to eat the deli meats or cheeses because there's no way to guarantee that every single product they carry is free of potential contamination. And if one product is packaged in peanut oil and goes on the slicer, then the slicer is contaminated and can potentially contaminate every other product that comes into contact with it. That's why we're sticking with the Oscar Meyer pre-packaged meats. I called the company myself and was assured that their labeling practices are good.

Hope this info helps. My suggestion would be to talk to your deli manager and see what sort of information you can find out. As I said, everyone has a different comfort level, and there may well be other moms like you that have used deli meats without a problem.

Best wishes.

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Susan
Andre's Mom

Quote:I'm certainly not questioning your comfort level, but now what was that about cheese manufacturers saying not safe for pa?! My kids eat lots of cheese, sliced and not. I'm in the dark on this one, please help fill me in.
I read somewhere on this board that there's a variety of deli cheese that has some kind of nuts added to it.

Gale

I don't mean to stir up trouble here, but anyone who is irritated with Kraft should know that Oscar Meyer is one of their divisions- and CSRs at the OM call center had even less ability to give me information than Kraft did. I don't trust them one bit.

My son is allergic to nuts, turkey and chicken. Does anyone know any safe Ham or Roast Beef. I can't seem to find HOrmel prepackaged cold cuts?

Thanks!

Well, I'm easily frightened by all of this, but my PA child eats cheddar cheese and Black Bear ham and turkey. The store slices cheese on a separate slicer from meats. Do deli meat manufacturers really pack meat in peanut oil?

We used to get Boars Head cheeses all the time from the deli till I realized that the Mortedella meat had pistachio nuts in it and I asked about the cross contamination issue. The manager said he would suggest not buying any product from them even though they have separate slices for cheeses and meats they still handle the meat and do not change gloves between meat and cheese items , so some residue from the nut could go on the gloves while she slices my cheese. I now use Bordens packaged cheeses and Cabot which are safe.. Kathy Ann

FYI - Kahn's browns many of their deli meats in peanut oil.

Jackie

I have searched the discussion boards and found contradictory information about several brands of prepackaged cold cuts. I went to our grocery store and found prepackaged cold cuts from the following companies:
- Butterball
- Hillshire Farms
- Healthy Choice
Does anyone have a PA child who eats these brands without incident? Alternatively, does anyone know that they are unsafe for a child allergic to both peanuts and almonds?

In Canada, I trust Schneider's. I contacted them some time ago and they are very allergy aware. They told me that they have a peanut/nut free plant. They make a nice selection of deli meats as well as some frozen foods such as chicken pot pies.

I find their labelling to be accurate as well.

Regards,

Katiee

We met a rep from Boar's head in the grocery deli. She has a PA son and assured us that there are no Peanuts or nuts in any of their products. I would call to be sure, but we eat them all the time. Mortadella is frequently made without pistachios....Patty Quote:Originally posted by KATHYANN:
[b]We used to get Boars Head cheeses all the time from the deli till I realized that the Mortedella meat had pistachio nuts in it and I asked about the cross contamination issue. The manager said he would suggest not buying any product from them even though they have separate slices for cheeses and meats they still handle the meat and do not change gloves between meat and cheese items , so some residue from the nut could go on the gloves while she slices my cheese. I now use Bordens packaged cheeses and Cabot which are safe.. Kathy Ann[/b]

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Empire Kosher & Best Foods Kosher deli meats area also safe for PA/TA, as per calls to their reps within the past year.

We have been buying the Boar's Head cold cuts with no problems. The only thing I would be cautious of is they make a "Pesto" baked ham. I would never buy it, but I did read the ingredients because I was concerned with them cutting it on the same equipment. The ingredients don't list pine nuts at all, just basil, garlic and a few other spices.

I don't know the particular brand, but I know that our local grocery store does have roast beef with pesto in the deli which has nuts in the pesto. The man working the deli told me this because a child had an allergic reaction and the mother tracked down the source to the meat. He also told me to always ask to have the slicer cleaned and to have them open a fresh package of meat. I guess it depends on your comfort level but I've never had a problem with any deli meat, we have it often. Other than being extremely careful with roastbeef I also check the labels for any egg source because sometimes meat has a glaze made with egg. HTH
Tamie

See my posting on Hormel 81 hams. You can slice this yourself and use it for sandwiches etc.

I'm pretty sure it was hillshire farm that told me their bologna has peanut oil in it. Also i have noticed some supermarket deli's have peanut butter machines (makes peanut butter) at the deli counter. And mortadella is a type of bologna that sometimes contains nuts.

I just received a message from Hillshire farms saying that their products are safe for peanut/tree nut allergies.

Sara Lee prepackaged meats are safe.

Empire Kosher has a list of safe items including lunch meats. They have a web site and I have also posted about them recently.

Oh my god...this never crossed my mind...it is so hard to believe that lunch meat and cheese are another thing to watch out for now! Did I read that kraft cheese is not safe? or oscar meyer ? I can't possibly keep up with all of this...may god watc hover my child because I feel that without him I will be fighting a losing battle here! LUNCH MEAT AND CHEESE....good grief!!!!!!!!!

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supermom

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[This message has been edited by Elisabeth (edited October 16, 2003).]

We don't eat it very often, and I really try to stay away from Kraft, but we use the Osacar Mayer roast turkey breast and cooked ham without a problem. We use it mainly for quick convenient lunches out, and it's not often we need to do that, maybe 2x month max.

what about the hard cheeses from Kraft? like chedder and all those?

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supermom

I buy sorrento sliced provolone and cabot in the chunks. I personally don't care for Kraft cheese so I don't buy it. I use Sorrento shredded mozzarella for pizzas.

My son eats Oscar Meyer deli meats regularly and has never had an issue. He also has had deli meat on occasion, and this is news to me that deli meat is out for PA. I thought that it was unsafe for those with milk allergies, but not PA.

Can you please explain to me why this would be? I can't think of one meat or cheese from the deli that has nuts in it.

Mortadella with pistachios
Liverwurst with pistachios
Some bologna has peanut oil
Some hams have nut oils for base coats.

Can you please explain to me why this would be? I can't think of one meat or cheese from the deli that has nuts in it.

I have never heard of mortadella with pitachios, at least not in Canada. My PA daughter has mortadella quite often from the deli with no problems. I have also checked the packaged one and have never seen pistachio as one of the ingredients.

I believe there is mortadella without pistachios and with pistachios. We do not eat it either but I know it is there because I have seen it.

Hi! So far the ones that we found are safe are Hilshire Farms and Applegate Farms the ones from Applegate are nitrite free. I did call both Hilshire and Applegate and were told both were safe for PA/TNA. The only thing not safe at Applegate is their new lunchboxes (like lunchables) because their gummi treats and crackers are made in a facility that also processes nuts. If your looking for other things Horizon has great yogurt squeezes and string cheese and all there products are safe. I just received an e mail from them stating that they don't make anything with nuts. Stonyfield also make a great squeeze yogurt for kids safe for PA/TNA. Hope that helps a little.

I was happy with Tyson's answer. Has anyone else called?

Spoke to Hillshire Farms today and unfortunately there is ALWAYS a chance of cross contamination with their products. They do have an allergy cleansing progam but she said "there could be a peanut stuck somewhere" (good god!!!) At least she was truthful. She did say all Jimmy Dean pro*ducts were safe and no chance of crosscontamination.

DD (allergic to PN, TN, dairy and egg) developed hives near her mouth after eating a slice of Oscar Meyer oven-roasted white turkey. The customer rep was very nice on the phone and said they do not have separate lines for pure meat versus meat and cheese products, but the cleaning process is very complete, and if there is any chance of cross-contamination they would label as such, blah, blah, blah. I suspect there was cross-contamination with cheese. Has anyone else had a problem with Oscar Meyer recently?

I tell ya...this is depressing. I mean, I know it is a comfort level thing, but this is ridiculous. As my allergist says, why are they putting nuts in almost everything now a days? It is bad enough that my child cannot have anything, but Ham cold cuts is all that he CAN have. Greatfully he has never had a reaction, but that does not mean that his sinus infections, red eyes, and asthma could not be caused by these things. There is so much to look out for! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

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Renee athma/EA
Quinton: PA/TNA/Soy/EA/Severe Asthma/whole egg/onion/cocoa bean/chicken/turkey/string beans/potato
Mykiaja: EA/asthma
Taylor: EA/asthma

Hi All,

I recently contacted Hillshire Farms Re: there Pre-Package Deli meat. This is there responce.

Thank you for visiting the Hillshire Farm web site. We appreciate your
interest in our products and are
happy to assist you with your questions and/or concerns.

The Hillshire Farms lunchmeats do not contain any peanuts or tree nuts
and
there is no chance of cross
contamination with this product.

Sincerely,

Karen E. Baker
Consumer Response Department

If anyone gets different info, Please let me know.

Thanks for your Help,

MelEldredge

Wow, this is one I never thought of. My son always eats Boar's Head turkey.

I usually buy it at my local Italian store, not the supermarket - I'm thinking maybe I will explain the situation and ask if I can come in early in the morning and be the first customer, when the slicers are still clean from the night before.

Does anyone have any experience with Kirkland Signature moked fully cooked Boneless Ham Steak from Costco? It is presliced in the package.

Thanks

Lingling

I called costco. The costco service represent told me if there is any chance for cross containment with tree nuts and peanuts, it would be labeled. It is the labelling policy of all their Kirkland Signature product.

Can someone call to verify this?

Thanks

Lingling

Lingling[/B][/quote]

I called costco. The costco service represent told me if there is any chance for cross containment with tree nuts and peanuts, it would be labeled. It is the labelling policy of all their Kirkland Signature product.

Can someone call to verify this?

Thanks

Lingling

Lingling[/B][/quote]

Searching for an answer to this ... has anyone had a problem with Russer German Wunderbar Bologna? My daughter had a reaction, and I'm sure there had to be peanut exposure somehow because she has eaten this many times before.

Doreen...I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your question. However, I just noticed your profile, that you are in New Windsor. I am in Middletown! (Pine Bush schools) I used to work in Newburgh for 8 years (stopped working there in '99) Feel free to e-mail sometime if you'd like!

We eat Boars Head cold cuts, from our local Stop & Shop. I won't buy anything else. Sorry, in my opinion those packaged deli meats taste gross, and they are never sliced thin enough. We have never had a problem with Boars Head. The workers use separate slicers for meats and cheeses, and change gloves before they wait on me (I ask them to, if they haven't done it already) My goodness, if I had to stop giving cold cuts to my 5 yr old PA son, I don't know what I would give him for his school lunch. I have yet to find a small thermos-like container for hot foods that is kid friendly, spill-proof, and fits into a lunchbox. He eats other things on the weekends and days off from school.

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Michelle

Mom to Timmy, 5 yrs, PA
DD 7 1/2 yrs NKA
DS 3 yrs NKA

Thanks Michelle.
I still did not get an answer to my question.

A friend of mine uses Boars Head too. Unfortunately, I moved to Connecticut last year. I would have loved to have gotten together with you.

Doreen