pI am so pleased with Keebler. After reading in the latest FAAN newsletter that they are going to start labeling for allergens I called to find out if this will include cross-contamination labeling. I first spoke with Natasha, who was very nice, and she said that yes they will label for cross-cont. so if a product is not run on a dedicated line and is on a shared line with a possible allergen containing product they will label for it. She also said they would be able to tell us if a product is run on a dedicated line. She then transferred me to the home office where I had a great conversation with Steve. We talked about it all again and he did some research and got back to me. I told him I was looking for a safe graham cracker and regular cracker. When he called back he said that the regular honey grahams and the cinnamin grahams are run on dedicated lines. Also the Townhouse crackers are run on dedicated lines and also the Munchums- plain and Ranch and all are peanut/nut free. He assurred me that with their new labeling, if it is not in the ingredients and there is no warning the product is safe. Of course though to always read the ingredient list everytime! I thanked him so much and told him how wonderful it is that Keebler is taking this step. The new labeling should be seen in the store in June. What a wonderful step in the right direction. They were also just bought by Kelloggs, and it looks like Kelloggs is starting to label also. I think this is great news and a wonderful step in a safer direction!!! Yay!!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]br /
kcmom/p
Yeah Keebler!!!
Posted on: Fri, 06/28/2002 - 8:10am
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At the holiday season this past year, they already had some allergy warning, "made in" type labelling in place. I did not purchase, however, because of reports I read here. I think the process is in a state of flux and change, and not reliable. I forget, but there was a projected date as to when all labelling would accurately reflect thr risks. But, I look forward to when it is done and consistent. Becca
We just bought 18 boxes of Keebler Cinnamon and Chocolate Grahams for Vacation Bible School. They're safe for dairy and egg allergies, too!
I called Keebler today (1.877.45 ELVES)and received the same information with respect to labeling. If a "top eight" allergen is not already part of the ingredients, but Keebler has assessed a cross-contamination issue (via cleaning and testing), there will be a "may contain" statement under the ingredient list.
With respect to dedicated lines, I was transferred to Jeanette in the corp. office (1.800.962.0052). She stated they are not able to confirm dedicated/non-dedicated lines since production can change and they don't want moms/dads to rely on that - we always need to read the label.
So....here are the steps they take to elimiate cross-contamination:
Break down equipment - 12 hour wet clean - allergist swipe - reassemble equipment - test "quite a few" pounds of the actual product.
Bottom line...the cleaning and testing procedure is the determining factor for putting a "may contain" label. If traces are noted during the testing, the "may contain" will be included. She stated that due to the volume of product, it is more cost effective to label than start over break-down and production (obviously [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img] ).
Keebler cannot provide information re: peanut/nut-free facilities either (if there are any).
It all depends on their testing and the label. Do many people use Keebler products?
Cathy
Well, I'm confused.
I just called Keebler re: their Deluxe Grahams which has no warning on the label. I asked if they are made on a line that also makes peanut or nut containing products. The customer service rep. took the UPC code as well as the stamped on code on the package. She went and checked, came back and said she couldn't confirm one way or another and wouldn't want to give me the wrong information. I asked if that was because different plants do things differently and she said yes. She sounded like she didn't know the procedures very well about may contains. I take this to mean that if what people have posted here about the company implenting new procedures is accurate, than the message isn't getting passed along within the company.
So, those of you who feel these cookies are safe, would that be because there is no "may contain" statement on the label or because you feel comfortable with their cleaning and testing procedures even though the cookies might be run on shared lines?
I have come to the conclusion that the "changes" are rigorous cleaning steps and some PR. It was clear that Keebler will never lock themselves into dedicated line information. I still haven't become comfortable relying on testing each batch as the determining factor for the "may contain" statement. It seems like one more area for mistakes by Keebler, myself or my son (eventually). I would rather stick with products labeled consistently. I am curious what others think or have experienced, though, as my son is young.
Cathy
Gee, now I'm really disapointed! I felt really good about the conversation I had with Keebler but now I don't know what to think. The person I talked to, Steve, at the home office even said he would look into it and he called me back. I know he said that the new labeling would not be seen in stores until mid June. But he was the one that told me what was made on dedicated lines. He really sounded knowledgable. I don't know, maybe, since I haven't actually purchased anything of Keebler yet, I will call back again and see what answer I get. I have to say I am really bummed, I was looking forward to me dd being able to eat a graham cracker. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]
kcmom
I just wanted to update all! I had a great conversation today with a lady named Cindy at the corporate office at Keebler. We went over all the info again. She confirmed their cleaning process. She said right now on some products they have may contain warnings but they are actually fazing (?) this out. She said there will be a line that states it either contains it or no lines at all. The way she explained it, they will be labeling like General Mills. She said if they believe there is any chance of cross-cont. it will be listed as containing the allergen but if there is no warning or not listed in the ingredients it will not contain the allergen. I asked her specifically that if I see a Keebler product that does not say it contains peanut can I rest assurred that it does not contain it at all and she said yes. She said that in general they try to run all products that contain nuts on the same lines, while still cleaning between products, so that all non-nut containing products are made on the same lines. She said if they do have to share equipment that they would run all non-nut products in the morning and then run nut containing ones in the afternoon and then all machines are broken down and put through a 12 hour wet cleaning process, then lines are swabbed for the presence of the allergen. She said they are trained to understand how important the cleaning process is and that if it is not done correctly it could be serious. She also said that all employees are trained thouroughly on allergy awareness. She said they are trained to understand that they are deadly, and that if Joe is running a line with a nut containing product and goes over to talk to Sally who is running a line of a non-nut containg product that is all it can take to contaminate a product and cause someone their life. She just seemed really concerned and sincere and was very helpful and willing to answer any questions. She also said that all this info goes for Kellogs products as well, since Kellogs purchased Keebler. We spent about a half hour on the phone just discussing things and I was telling her about the frustrations we go through in getting so many different answers. She said that they are working on a sheet that would be distributed to all customer service reps so that they would all be able to answer the same question the same way. She said too, that she grew up with a mother who had multiple allergies and remembers being frustrated by all the things they couldn't have in the house because you couldn't be sure they were safe.
I know what a lot of you may be thinking, that this is a bunch of bunk but I would really like to believe this. She did say I cannot give you an iron clad guarantee of anything but I can say with my upmost confidence that if there is not warning on a label that it does not contain that allergen. This bothered me at first, but we all seem to trust General Mills and while I have always been satisfied with their answers I don't remember them guaranteeing me anything either. Does anyone use Keebler products regulary and trust them? Were there any major problems with Keebler products? I am hoping from some input from others to make my final decision on whether I should give my dd Keebler products or not. Tell me what you think! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]Thanks!
kcmom
I have used Keebler and Sunshine products, and all others for that matter, before coming here! Never a problem. Our only reactions were to PB sandwiches. I do not now, but your latest answer sounds great to me. I may give them a ring too, to compare notes. Before finding this site, I just checked all labels for the "may contain" and shared equipement language, and avoided also things that seemed to be from "nutty" companies. For example, always leary of any cookie sandwich where there is a nutty variety in the same brand. Otherwise, I knew nothing of calling companies. I am tighter now, but have been considering loosening up a bit ant trusting labelling more from the major manufacturers, based on these rigorous cleanings. Thinking about it, not there yet! becca
"She said if they do have to share equipment that they would run all non-nut products in the morning and then run nut containing ones in the afternoon and then all machines are broken down and put through a 12 hour wet cleaning process, then lines are swabbed for the presence of the allergen."
So, in this case, the allergen statement would include nuts/peanuts?
[This message has been edited by Lam (edited August 14, 2002).]
Yes, she said if an allergen was detected at all then they would put a may-contain warning on the box. I have a box of wheat townhouse crackers that I want to let my dd try but I am so nervous. It helps to know that other people have used these products without incidence.
kcmom
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