Andrew's Mom,
The Smarties that are referred to here are only available in Canada. I believe that they are similar to M&M's. There is a product here in the US called Sixlets that can be found. I believe someone posted here that they can be found at oriental.com

Thanks for your reply! I appreciate it.

Andrew'sMom,
American Smarties are small wafer like candies that resemble sweet tarts (only much smaller) and come in a roll that is about 2 inches long. They do not contain peanuts or treenuts, thus they are safe, but they contain no chocolate and in no way resemble M&Ms as canadian smarties do.

Earlier in this thread, JanBP told us that Hershey said plain Kisses can be run on common lines when there is a higher demand for them--like on holidays. Well, I think they may be making them on common lines now.
I bought a bag of Kisses a week ago (in a Valentine's Day package), and ate two of them. It took less than three minutes before my mouth, tongue and throat started to tingle (I am PA and TNA-especially Almonds). I ran to take my Benadryl, and thankfully, I didn't have to resort to my Epi Pen. I'm glad that I only ate 2 of them, or it may have been worse.
The very next day, I ordered some chocolate from Vermont Nut Free. I don't know that I will want to try plain Kisses again, but I still need my "chocolate fix".
I am 26, and my allergies are just now getting worse. Its hard to give up all chocolate after one develops a taste for it. I guess I will content myself with Oreos and Vermont Nut Free.

This question has to do with the last reply someone mentioned she sticks to oreo's and vermont nut free. This doesn't have anything to do with Hershey Kisses but with the Oreo's. I haven't called myself I know I should. But wanted to ask are these made on a dedicated line?

This question has to do with the last reply someone mentioned she sticks to oreo's and vermont nut free. This doesn't have anything to do with Hershey Kisses but with the Oreo's. I haven't called myself I know I should. But wanted to ask are these made on a dedicated line?

I have just called Hersheys here in Canada.
I was told that basically if it doesn't have a warning label on it then it is safe. Every time you buy the product you should check the labelling as if it does have a chance of cross-contamination then they will put that on the label.
THe person that I spoke to said that if a line is used for a nut-product then beforew it is used for a nut- free product (With no warning of may contain) then the lines/machines have to be cleaned using a 'wet method' and a 'dry method' and the after that they are inspected. They then stand by their packaging--if it is not labelled 'may contain ' then it is safe.
I also just called General Mills and the same applies for them.
I spoke with a supervisor at a Cadbury plant (here in Canada)at a party on the weekend. He said that their labelling is very strict and that things that are totally nut free are made completely seperate and that there is no cross-contamination as there are strict rules about hand washing and taste testing (dismissal if caught). In other words you can trust the labelling--this person also has a son who is PA so is definately allergy aware.
Hope this helps and I welcome comments about these products or others. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by care (edited February 13, 2001).]

I did a search for Hershey chipits and this is the thread I brought up. All this talk about chocolate makes me hungry. My mom just made a cake for my daughters birthday. She was so proud of these chipits she had put in the cake. They are Hershey White chocolate Chipits. I told her I would have to check if they were safe. I think I hurt her feelings, but I am not willing to take the chance without knowing more about the company. I live in Canada but the package said imported by Hershey Canada with a Canadian address. Does this mean they are made in Canada? Do Hershey always label there May Contain? Since it is the long weekend in Canada I don't think I can get an answer before tomorrow. Any body out there already spoke to Hershey about this?
Thanks for your help.
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Karalot

This is in reply to the person who ate a couple of "valentine packaged" hershey kisses. I have found and was told by Hershey's that the guidlines for manufacturing holiday kisses were different because they are mass producing very quickly. She said that they are labeled with warnings whereas the others are not.

With Valentines around the corner I thought some of us might want to review some ideas that might be safe for the classroom. SOOOOO that is why I raised this thread.
Sue in Sunny Arizona