Hain Celestial labels disclose cross-contamination risks

    From:     consumerrelations@hain-celestial.com
    Subject:     Hain-Celestial Ref. #: 2087746
    Date:     July 12, 2010 10:19:40 AM CDT

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our Long Grain Brown Rice Flour. We strive to maintain the highest quality products and appreciate your patronage.

The Hain Celestial Group's labeling declares major allergens (peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, and wheat) and we follow the U.S. FDA's regulations. We recognize the serious nature of the allergen issue and we strive to minimize risk.

Both major and minor ingredients of all products, as well as all processing procedures and equipment, are closely scrutinized and all potential allergen issues as determined by the Hain Celestial Group are declared on our labeling.

We assure you that strict manufacturing processes and procedures are in place and that all of our manufacturing facilities follow rigid allergen control programs that include staff training, segregation of allergen ingredients, production scheduling, and thorough cleaning and sanitation

As one of our valued customers, your satisfaction is very important to us and we will share your comments with our Leadership Team. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-434-4246, Monday through Friday from 7AM - 5PM Mountain Time.

Sincerely,
James
Consumer Response Representative

Ref # 2087746

**This e-mail is sent by The Hain Celestial Group, Inc and/or one of its subsidiaries. The information and attachments contained in this e-mail message may contain privileged and confidential information and is for the exclusive and confidential use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby requested not to read, distribute, copy or take action in reliance upon this communication. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone or return e-mail and delete this e-mail and any attachments from your computer system.**

A Kid's Kitchen

http://www.akidskitchen.com/index.php

Tickle Your Tummy

http://www.tickleyourtummy.ca/

Streit Kosher Foods - bag in a box mixes are safe!

We make macaroons and use coconut and tree nuts.  However, that is done on a
separate line in a separate room and no nuts are used on the equipment we
use to make the cake mixes and all our other bag in a box mixes.  The
production supervisor is very careful about allergens and there is no chance
of cross contamination.

Alan Adler
Aron Streit, Inc.
150 Rivington St.
New York, NY 10002

Kelloggs nutrition labels online

http://www.fafh.com/products/Default.aspx

Austin
Bear Naked
Carrs
Eggo
Famous Amos
Gardenburger
Kashi
Keebler
Kelloggs
Morningstar Farms
Murray Sugar Free
Sunshine
Worthington

WONKA non-chocolate candies are SAFE

Laffy Taffy
Nerds
Sweet Tarts
Pixy Stix
Spree
Bottle Caps
Runts

Per Wonka (division of Nestle) these candies are not made in facilities that also process foods containing peanuts and tree nuts.  Wonka makes other candies that are not made in dedicated nut free facilities.  Also, Wonka will put a cross-contamination warning on risky candies, but only on the package you buy, not on each individual piece (e.g. Fun Size pieces).

Donuts- Hostess Donettes are SAFE from factories 07 and 57

Hostess Donettes - the only safe bakeries in our area are #07 and # 57 - coding info on best by date May05 57 (as of 10/19/12) - HOSTESS IS NOW CLOSED!!!

Krispy Kreme - is safe, but there are none in downtown Chicago

Holey Donuts

My solutions:  (a) Trader Joe's frozen Ebelskeivers, or (b) I make them, or (c) Rice Krispie Squares

Kashi labeling discloses potential cross-contamination.

All of our product packages have labeled the top eight potentially allergenic ingredients (i.e. peanut, tree nut, cow's milk, egg, soybean, wheat, fish and shellfish) in a separate box directly below the ingredient list on the Nutrition Facts side panel.  Because product formulations can change at any time, we encourage our consumers to check the ingredient statement on each package they purchase for the most up-to-date information on the ingredients contained in that product.

Our production lines are thoroughly cleaned between allergen containing products and we follow good manufacturing practices. We have validated (through testing) our allergen cleaning processes in all of our facilities. We are very concerned about food allergies and want to ensure that our products are safe for food allergic consumers to eat. Scientific evidence has shown that consumers with peanut and tree nut allergies can have a severe reaction to amounts that are below the current detectable limits based on existing technology. For this reason, we have chosen to warn consumers allergic to peanuts and tree nuts of the potential for extremely low levels by using a may contain statement.

For all other top 8 allergens - if the product contains the allergen, it will be listed below the ingredient statement. If it is not listed below the ingredient statement, we are confident that the product is safe for consumption. Please trust the labeling and continue to check it for any changes.

Pizza

Costco - SAFE

Totino's Party Pizza (cheese) - safe

Little Caesar's - safe

Domino's - NOT SAFE if the ovens have been used for any "gourmet" items (like sandwiches) because they cant say the ingredients they used are safe (e.g. sauce, bread)

Uno's Pizzeria, 29 E. Ohio - UNSAFE BUT CAN MICROWAVE UP WHAT WE BRING, no nuts on menu, but desserts are made in facilities that handle peanuts and tree nuts and they have a small kitchen.   Choc chip cookies are baked in the pizza oven. They can microwave a pizza we bring but cannot bake it in a sealed foil packet.

Pizzeria Due, 619 N Wabash, - UNSAFE BUT CAN BAKE WHAT WE BRING FOR $7 (price of the individual cheese pizza), no nuts on menu but desserts are made in facilities that handle peanuts and tree nuts.  Choc chip cookies aer baked in the pizza oven.  They can bake our pizza in sealed foil packet but will charge us as if we bought their personal cheese pizza.

Malnati's, 1120 North State Street - SAFE!  Separate pizza and food line.  No nuts on menu.  YEA!

Birthday Parties - cake to bring

Pepperidge Farm freezer boxed cakes - reliable labels.