Peanut Free and Nut Free Community
Click on one of the categories below to see all topics and discussions.
| Community Category | Number of Topics |
|---|---|
| Living With Peanut Allergy | 14,777 |
| Manufacturers, Food: Safe and Unsafe | 6,242 |
| Schools | 3,502 |
| Peanut Allergy in the Media | 2,226 |
| Welcome: Please Introduce Yourself | 1,882 |
| Travel | 1,396 |
| Restaurants | 1,205 |
| Recipes and Cooking | 821 |
| Doctors | 499 |
| Take Action | 377 |
| Other Food Allergies | 33 |
| General Discussion | 2 |
Latest Discussions
Peanut Free Store
More Articles
Magnesium is a macromineral which is a class of minerals that the human body needs in large amounts. Other macrominerals include calcium,...
Migraines are a truly debilitating neurological condition, with symptom persistence ranging from a few hours to up to three days. According to...
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA)
An important part of peanut allergy awareness was enacted on January 1, 2006...
Misunderstanding the significance of food allergy test results can lead to unnecessary anxiety and dietary changes. The three tests used most...
It can be easy to overlook the presence of nut allergens in non-food items because the allergens are often listed by their Latin or scientific...
There is no definitive treatment for a peanut allergy. Because every case different, reactions will...
Tree nuts and peanuts are distinctly different. An allergy to one does not guarantee an allergy to the other. Peanuts are considered legumes and...
Soymilk is one of the most popular alternatives to cow’s milk. As well as being rich in fiber, soy is a great source of protein and contains all...
When faced with the task of arranging a gluten-free menu, you might be overwhelmed and confused. Even a search on the Internet can create more...
Only those who have peanut allergies really seem to realize how many things can and often do have...
Peanuts and peanut oil are cheap and easy additives to food and other commercial goods. It is surprising (and alarming if you have a...
Olive oil has many benefits and surprisingly few side effects. It is derived from the olive and is popular with people around the world. The...
You may be surprised to find that peanut butter is used to make many products. Someone who has a peanut...
For those with severe food allergies, flying can be a stressful process. Here are...
Fall Is The Time To Start Feeding Birds
Many people fill their bird feeders in the fall to help out the birds as their natural food...
As anyone who lives with food allergies knows, certain foods can be dangerous, even life-threatening. If you are allergic, you know to avoid the...
Peanuts are loaded with protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals, and most dogs love the peanut flavor. Peanut butter is often an ingredient...
The Smallest Particle of Peanuts Could Cause An Allergic Reaction
Peanut allergy is one of the most dangerous food allergies because it...
For those who don't have experience with peanut allergies, going 'peanut-free' often seems as easy as avoiding peanut butter sandwiches and bags...
Asthma is a respiratory condition that results from spasms in the bronchi of the lungs. It is usually an allergic response to an allergen, and is...
Is Hershey still really dark chocolate? Not to criticize other brands, but none of my *safe* chocolates are dark and that's why I've been wanting Hershey.
Of course, once I get my fill of that, I'll be missing something else. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]
Hi Anna Marie,
I think Hersheys may make a safe dark chocolate bar, but I can't remember.
You could also try eating "AERO DARK". It is made by Nestle Canada in the nut-free Toronto facility.
I think Cadbury Canada still makes the "CARAMILK DARK", which is also safe.
[img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by erik (edited March 10, 2003).]
You're just a *Candy Thesaurus* aren't you? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
I wondered why everyone called you CandyMan, I guess I sure got my answer.
Thanks again.
Hi Anna Marie,
You're welcome.
I saw a large size "Hersheys Special Dark" (100g??) at lunch time, but it had a peanut warning... hmm. maybe the regular size may be ok .. if I see it anywhere I'll let you know.
So for now, the only safe dark chocolate I can think of is Nestle Aero dark and Cadbury Caramilk dark.
Also, the new Coffee Crisp French Vanilla has a dark chocolate coating. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
I'm currently feeling a little uneasy about Hersheys. I called them today.
I was told if they felt there was any risk a *may contain* warning would be on the package. I asked if that meant if it ran on the same line as a peanut product it would have a warning and she said "not necessarily".
She said that "as recommended by the FDA they do an allergen wash". Canadian and US Hershey products are both labelled the same (unlike many other companies) and they strictly follow the recommendations of the Canadian FDA.
But, Canada doesn't have an FDA does it? We have the CFIA. I checked the CFIA web-page and although I found a lot of information about labelling regarding allergies, I found nothing about an allergen wash.
What is this *allergen wash*?
Not specific to Hershey, but when other companies have explained an allergen wash, it seems to include totally breaking down equipment parts and cleaning very thouroughly. Might even include swabbing for allergens. I have more faith in this than a statement saying we follow good manufacturing guidelines, rinsing between runs or such. I worry about particles getting stuck and it seems better to break down equipment.
However, watching "Unwrapped" is very educational, just to see manufacture of many sweets. It is a show on the food network. These places are huge warehouses and huge machines. It just sort fo grosses me out sometimes, even in terms of thinking about machine parte and lube and grease that makes them go! Never mind nuts. Anything with lots of crumbs seems impossible to really clean all the way up, even with hoses and such. It is just so cavernous in these places.
I do trust Hershey and we have been fine. Have even been branching out. Gotta be able to have something! becca
I agree with Becca. Hersheys uses "manufactured in a facility that uses peanuts" and "manufactured on the same equipment that processes peanuts" warning labels so I do trust their labelling. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Until this phone call I trusted them too. But anybody claiming to follow Canadian FDA regulations obviously doesn't know what they are talking about. (I realize this could just be the person who answers the phone doesn't know the difference between our countries, but she should if she's answering those questions.)
I've been searching for information about the FDA - hoping to find out about this *allergen wash* but I'm not finding any web-sites.
Maybe a lot of the companies I have been feeling safe with use this method - and maybe it really is safe. I'd just like to check it out and I'm lost.
If anybody knows of web-sites for the FDA regarding labeling practices, food allergies, or *allergen wash*, please let me know.
Hi Anna Marie,
Long time no talk.. how are you?
In reading the labels on Hersheys I think they are fine. The majority of their products have "manufactured in a facility that uses peanuts" or "manufactured on the same equipment that uses peanuts"...
so if there is no warning I would think it is fine [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
ie: hershey kisses, etc
Pages