I was so angry last night when I went to Trader Joe's. Almost everything that I thought might be safe to eat had a may contain warning on it. I expressed my concerns to the management and he directed me to Corporate's phone number. I called that number and did not like the response I got. They said that they have not changed their manufacturing process but only changed the labels b/c of regulations requiring them too. I used to LoVE the pancake mix and it has a warning on it. Bread has a warning on it, and so did some chips and many other things. I knew about the cookies, and that was fine. But pancake mix? Chips? HUH? Isn't there ANYTHING out there besides Vermont's nut free plant that doesn't have one iota of peanut processing?
I vented like crazy and she assured me that they clean, and sanitize their lines before doing something with peanuts. I asked why is there so many products out there that have to contain peanut this or peanut that. I told them I have to think long and hard about whether I want to shop there anymore because of the amount of food I am not sure I feel comfortable eating. I think I have a pretty large comfort zone, BUT, I read and reread labels like crazy and seeing that I've had a few cross contamination reactions, it's starting to make me nervous aboout eating stuff on shared lines.
As a result of that conversation, it occurred to me that I am not sure what the difference between the two labels commonly seen on foods:
"May contain traces of nuts, peanuts or whatever allergen and Manfactured in a plant that processes peanut products? Do they not wash in between runs when there is a may contain label? Do they wash in between for both but the 2nd label has a higher chance of reaction?
I am just not sure what to think now. How far should I go with foods that I knew I could eat before and never had a problem with. Do I continue and hope nothing happens? DO I tighten my comfort zone more?
Do I write a letter to a news station and voice my concerns and fight for dedicated lines or what?
I am just floored by this and don't know what the heck to do?
I'm originally from New Zealand, and on my first trip back home after being diagnosed with PA, was faced with the same problem. Almost every type of cookie, cracker, cereal, etc. is labeled 'may contain'.
The manufacturers are just covering their butts, but I don't think you can take the risk. No matter what the label reads, how do you know if the warning is just a CYA or if there is a legitimate cross-contamination risk??
My comfort zone is pretty large too, but I can't bring myself to buy anything that has 'peanut' on the label, even if it is just 'manufactured in a facility'.
But, the warnings are all on processed foods. Fresh fruit and veggies have no labels!
[This message has been edited by Adele (edited November 15, 2006).]
The prepared bags of spring mix salad and spinach from Trader Joes have a may contain label. Couldn't believe it when I read that! I called the local store for the number to coorporate and they told me it wouldn't have a warning unless it was needed. But I agree- it seems everything there has a warning now! It has to be a CYA thing because LETTUCE for goodness sake? This is the one thing I have never really worried about. But because the label is on there- I can't bring myself to give to dd or even buy it anymore for that matter. I tried to get someone to explain why the label was necessary on the lettuce but they just kept repeating the "if there is a warning on the product, it is because it needs to be". What is that?
Some bagged salads do contain nuts. I'm sure they are all packaged on the same equipment. But, yes, it does stink!
Quote:Originally posted by krc:
[b]The prepared bags of spring mix salad and spinach from Trader Joes have a may contain label. Couldn't believe it when I read that! I called the local store for the number to coorporate and they told me it wouldn't have a warning unless it was needed. But I agree- it seems everything there has a warning now! It has to be a CYA thing because LETTUCE for goodness sake? This is the one thing I have never really worried about. But because the label is on there- I can't bring myself to give to dd or even buy it anymore for that matter. I tried to get someone to explain why the label was necessary on the lettuce but they just kept repeating the "if there is a warning on the product, it is because it needs to be". What is that? [/b]
what Jimmy's mom said...I called on the organic baby spinach at TJs and they looked it up. It is bagged on the same equipment that handles a salad where almonds get tossed right into the mix.
If you call on a specific Trader Joe's product, you give them the item number and lot number, and they will research and look up why the warning is on the item. I've never had a problem with Trader Joe's doing CYA labeling. All of their TJ's brand products are made all across the country at different facilities --- other people make it and TJs slaps their label on it (like how generic grocery store brands work).
I was told about a year ago that they are "labelling better" to give the customer the ultimate decision...not leaving it to the manufacturer to say that their cleaning is enough, etc. So, they label a variety of labels - contains through same facility, and they have an allergen research dept. that investigates and labels items appropriately.
So, while that may seem CYA - I think they are just putting the decision to the allergic person...sometimes a phone call is warranted!
Heaven forbid you eat something from TJ's that WASN'T labeled with advisory labeling and you reacted...h*lls b*lls you'd be mad!
Adrienne
------------------
30-something survivor of severe peanut/tree nut allergy
Yes- I would be more upset if there were not a label and dd reacted. The person I spoke to would not give me specifics only "if it's there it needs to be" which seemed like a very broad response.
Thank you for clarifying more.
It seems like more and more 'manufactured on' and 'made in' labels are popping up on so many products and it upsets me how many items we have to cross off our lists.
I wish more companies had dedicated lines or were open about cleaning/sanitizing procedures. If it has any warning on it, we avoid it. But lets say it says 'made in a facility' and then I find the only nut products are in a different room, on a different floor? I suppose it's up to each individuals comfort zone and that's why it is important to call. (My problem is inconsistent answers from companies depending on who you speak to)
I'm so glad that labeling has improved. I am disappointed that so many products are unsafe for us to it due to shared lines.
I'm originally from New Zealand, and on my first trip back home after being diagnosed with PA, was faced with the same problem. Almost every type of cookie, cracker, cereal, etc. is labeled 'may contain'.
The manufacturers are just covering their butts, but I don't think you can take the risk. No matter what the label reads, how do you know if the warning is just a CYA or if there is a legitimate cross-contamination risk??
My comfort zone is pretty large too, but I can't bring myself to buy anything that has 'peanut' on the label, even if it is just 'manufactured in a facility'.
But, the warnings are all on processed foods. Fresh fruit and veggies have no labels!
[This message has been edited by Adele (edited November 15, 2006).]
The prepared bags of spring mix salad and spinach from Trader Joes have a may contain label. Couldn't believe it when I read that! I called the local store for the number to coorporate and they told me it wouldn't have a warning unless it was needed. But I agree- it seems everything there has a warning now! It has to be a CYA thing because LETTUCE for goodness sake? This is the one thing I have never really worried about. But because the label is on there- I can't bring myself to give to dd or even buy it anymore for that matter. I tried to get someone to explain why the label was necessary on the lettuce but they just kept repeating the "if there is a warning on the product, it is because it needs to be". What is that?
Some bagged salads do contain nuts. I'm sure they are all packaged on the same equipment. But, yes, it does stink!
Quote:Originally posted by krc:
[b]The prepared bags of spring mix salad and spinach from Trader Joes have a may contain label. Couldn't believe it when I read that! I called the local store for the number to coorporate and they told me it wouldn't have a warning unless it was needed. But I agree- it seems everything there has a warning now! It has to be a CYA thing because LETTUCE for goodness sake? This is the one thing I have never really worried about. But because the label is on there- I can't bring myself to give to dd or even buy it anymore for that matter. I tried to get someone to explain why the label was necessary on the lettuce but they just kept repeating the "if there is a warning on the product, it is because it needs to be". What is that? [/b]
what Jimmy's mom said...I called on the organic baby spinach at TJs and they looked it up. It is bagged on the same equipment that handles a salad where almonds get tossed right into the mix.
If you call on a specific Trader Joe's product, you give them the item number and lot number, and they will research and look up why the warning is on the item. I've never had a problem with Trader Joe's doing CYA labeling. All of their TJ's brand products are made all across the country at different facilities --- other people make it and TJs slaps their label on it (like how generic grocery store brands work).
I was told about a year ago that they are "labelling better" to give the customer the ultimate decision...not leaving it to the manufacturer to say that their cleaning is enough, etc. So, they label a variety of labels - contains through same facility, and they have an allergen research dept. that investigates and labels items appropriately.
So, while that may seem CYA - I think they are just putting the decision to the allergic person...sometimes a phone call is warranted!
Heaven forbid you eat something from TJ's that WASN'T labeled with advisory labeling and you reacted...h*lls b*lls you'd be mad!
Adrienne
------------------
30-something survivor of severe peanut/tree nut allergy
Yes- I would be more upset if there were not a label and dd reacted. The person I spoke to would not give me specifics only "if it's there it needs to be" which seemed like a very broad response.
Thank you for clarifying more.
It seems like more and more 'manufactured on' and 'made in' labels are popping up on so many products and it upsets me how many items we have to cross off our lists.
I wish more companies had dedicated lines or were open about cleaning/sanitizing procedures. If it has any warning on it, we avoid it. But lets say it says 'made in a facility' and then I find the only nut products are in a different room, on a different floor? I suppose it's up to each individuals comfort zone and that's why it is important to call. (My problem is inconsistent answers from companies depending on who you speak to)
I'm so glad that labeling has improved. I am disappointed that so many products are unsafe for us to it due to shared lines.