Dryers Ice Cream

I asked for more information on the fact that Dryers Loaded Maxx Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Dough ice cream is labeled as "nut allergen free" on the website when it contains peanut oil and chocolate chips (a processed in same facility ingredient). This was their response which I don't fully understand, and I will not be buying their products again.

Dear Ms. Delikat,

Thank you for your email regarding your purchase of EDY'S Loaded Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. In an increasingly health-conscious society, it is my pleasure to respond to your question regarding our products.

We do not have dedicated machinery for nut allergen free products. Each claim is specific for each product on the ingredients listing. The designation of "nut allergen free" is used on our web site, not the packaging, and would include all nuts. We offer this information as a courtesy to our consumers.

Our manufacturing facilities comply with federal and state regulations regarding food safety and handling. While designated lines are not used for manufacturing products that contain allergens, such as nuts and wheat, we do employ specific procedures to prevent allergen materials from getting into non-allergen products. These procedures include monitoring packaging materials to assure the correctness of product type. All production equipment receives thorough cleaning, rinsing and sanitizing. Comprehensive inspections are performed on key production equipment after allergens have been run and the production lines are cleaned.

The statement "Manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts and nuts" is not required under FDA regulations. If a manufacturer states this on their package it is considered over-labeling by FDA requirements. Dreyer's and Edy's Grand Ice Cream make the choice not to over label.

Each finished product and each ingredient that goes into the finished product is reviewed to determine what precautionary labeling maybe needed on our finished product label. This review process is based upon our finished product production process and how our ingredient vendors process the ingredients that we procure from them. In that review process DGIC determines if precautionary statements are necessary, then determines what the appropriate communication that is needed on the label. I hope that this information is useful to you and I appreciate your taking the time to contact our company to share your concerns. Please watch your mail for coupons that may be used towards future purchases of EDY'S.

Sincerely,

Denise Kadar
Consumer Response Representative

Ref # N2162341