I haven't been able to find the thread about Philadelphia cream cheese. Is it a problem for people with peanut allergy??

There seems to be a couple of people writing about cream cheese. I reraised a thread in which I wrote about making your own under the Snacks/Recipes board. You can make a 30-minute ricotta cheese too. Both are very easy. [url="http://www.cheesemaking.com"]www.cheesemaking.com[/url] has great, easy, low-cost kits.

Help,
I've done search on cream cheese and upset that I've not been able to find any safe one in this area in Maryland. I found a wonderful eggfree nutfree cookie recipe but it calls for cream cheese- can't do Phille re cross contamin. and bought Best Yet called them and they do have tree nuts- but don't list GRRR. I 've never seen Shaw's here on East coast. Anyone know of any?
Jandy

Hi,
I use Philadelphia cream cheese (plain) all the time, I guess there are those who call every product they buy to ensure it's safe, I don't. Peanuts in cream cheese?

I called re Phille cream cheese today- no dedicated lines- have peanut oil and tree nuts in some runs- cleaned inbetween- no way to know if plain block cheese was made after these nut containing runs. I'll check what the allergists says but he removed store bought ice cream from my son re same line ice cream companies were using.
Take care,
Jandy

I called the manufacturer and asked about Philadelphia cream cheese last week. The customer service rep told me that he couldn't guarantee any of their cream cheeses (even the bricks) are safe for a PA/TNA person. He recommended that we avoid them. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by smack:
[b]Hi,
I use Philadelphia cream cheese (plain) all the time, I guess there are those who call every product they buy to ensure it's safe, I don't. Peanuts in cream cheese? [/b]
Smack-philly makes a honey nut cream cheese, and I believe they use peanut oil and/or flavors in some of their other flavored varieties. All varieties, including the plain blocks, are made on shared equipment. I called them at least a year ago and they advised me to avoid all philly products.
Gale

I just spoke to a rep from Tofutti brand products (their number can be obtained from tofutti.com). They make a soy-based product called "better than cream cheese" which the person I spoke with said IS SAFE for PA/TA individuals. The cheese is made in a plant which uses no nut products. They are strictly parve Kosher - no dairy. There are several flavor varieties. One other product she could claim was safe is "tofiggies" - a fig newton type cookie, which is produced in a nut-free facility.
They were much less clear about their other products, such as frozen desserts, which are made in outside manufacturers' plants where other ice creams might be produced.
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[This message has been edited by Yonit (edited December 26, 2001).]

I was so ticked off after I read this thread yesterday! There are some products you think just HAVE to be safe, and cream cheese was one of them. I immediately contacted Horizon Dairy to inquire about the safety of their cream cheese and neufchatel cheese for PA/TNA individuals. Their response was prompt and encouraging: Here it is:
Thank you for your recent inquiry about Horizon Organic

jandy-for cream cheese in recipes, I substitute "yogurt cheese". I buy plain dannon yogurt and strain it for about 2 days. I have actual yogurt strainers, but you can also use cheesecloth and a regular strainer. I think some people have used coffee filters too. You can get more info at this site: [url="http://www.triadpublishing.com/yogurtcheese.htm"]http://www.triadpublishing.com/yogurtcheese.htm[/url]
Gale

Thanks Gale,
I'll try this and I'll also see if Fresh Fields carries the organic type.
Thanks again,
Jandy

I found what I consider to be a safe cream cheese. I posted about it a while back, so I'll find that post and bring it back up to the top. I remember that I included an email response from the manufacturer, so you can judge for yourself.
Nancy