Mariano's / Roundy's Brands - NOT SAFE

Ok.  Please pass this email exchange along to those who make policy for Roundy's.  As the parent of kids with life-threatening allergies, I approach Mariano's with excitement and trepidation.  For each food I may want to buy, I must know if it (a) contains tree nut/peanut protein as an ingredient, or (b) potentially contains tree nut/peanut protein through cross-contamination.  If (a), I dont buy it.  If (b) I must determine if the potential exists because of shared manufacturing equipment, or the facility processes or handles tree nuts/peanuts, and then make a risk assessment.  So I need to know "manufacturing/handling environment" info for all foods that do not contain tree nuts/peanuts as an actual ingredient.

As a typical "food allergy" customer, I encourage Roundy's to go the way that Trader Joe's goes.  Trader Joe's also uses many manufacturers under its house brand.  But they require their sub-vendors to disclose to them (even if not on their label) whether the facility handles any of the top 8 allergens, or whether the item is manufactured on shared equipment, and if on shared equipment whether their cleaning procedures meet certified standards.  Trader Joe's has a hotline phone number where you can learn the manufacturing/handling environment risks of any of their products. 

Until Roundy's can provide manufacturing/handling environment information for the top 8 allergens, I guess I will not be buying any Roundy's brand items.

Thanks,
Christine Young

On Nov 5, 2012, at 9:29 AM, O'Leske, Christina wrote:

Christine,

I am sorry I was not clear.   Roundy’s does not have a policy in place at this time regarding labeling for all of our products.  Because of that, we do not have a list of these products.  Our products are manufactured by many different companies that label them for us.  Some of these companies will voluntarily list that information on these products.  At this time we do not have a list of tree nut/peanut free manufacturing facilities producing our products.

Thank you.

From: Christine Young [mailto:Crabbiappl@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2012 8:44 PM
To: O'Leske, Christina
Subject: Re: response to Roundy's nutritional inquiry

yes thanks, I know this.  my question was about the Roundy's brand itself - and its policies on disclosure.  can you either tell me their policy or give me a contact phone number for their corporate representative who can speak to which products are made in tree nut/peanut free manufacturing facilities?
thanks

On Nov 2, 2012, at 5:03 PM, O'Leske, Christina wrote:


Hello Christine,

I checked with the company that handles inquiries regarding our products.  Per government regulations, the possibility of cross-contamination does not have to be stated on the label.   Some companies are doing this voluntarily if they know that is a possibility with their products.  In recent years this is becoming more of a concern for consumers so manufacturers are being more sympathetic to their requests.   We hope to see more of this type of information on packaging in the future.

Thank you.


Tina O’Leske
Roundy's Supermarkets Inc.
Customer Experience Center (office hours 7:45am to 5:00pm)
Phone:  866-742-6728 / 414-231-5681
Fax:  414-231-7011
Email:  christina.o’leske@roundys.com