DISCLAIMER: It is crucial to read all food labels, EACH time you buy a product to double check the ingredients and disclosures –– manufacturers have been known to change recipes, sourced ingredients, processing facilities, handling/packaging procedures, etc. without warning. Never re-post anything from this blog without this disclaimer!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Regal Snacks and Dried Fruit - NOT SAFE



Begin forwarded message:

From: Regal
Subject: Re: Allergies to tree nuts and peanuts
Date: March 24, 2013 7:24:16 AM CDT
To:

Hi Christine,

Unfortunately, our products are packaged on shared equipment with both peanuts and tree nuts.

www.regalsnacks.com


3/22/13
Hi - I'd like to use your whole dried pitted apricots this weekend but need to know if they are safe for me.  I'm allergic to tree nuts and peanuts.  Do your apricots have a risk of cross-contamination by any particles of tree nut or peanut protein?  Thanks, I really need to know asap!
Christine Young

Friday, March 22, 2013

Sunsweet Mediterranean Apricots - SAFE

Dear Ms. Christine Young :

Thank you for taking the time to contact us concerning Sunsweet Mediterranean Apricots. We are always glad for the opportunity to be of service.

The apricots do not contain, nor are they cross contaminated with peanuts or tree nuts.

If you have any questions, please contact our Consumer Affairs Department, toll free, at 1-800-417-2253Call: 1-800-417-2253. Our representatives are available to assist you weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Thank you,

The Sunsweet Consumer Affairs Team .

Case: 366884

Thursday, March 21, 2013

100% Cocoa - SAFE OPTIONS

Nestle Tollhouse 100% Cocoa for baking is SAFE

Dried Cranberries - Ocean Spray are SAFE

Ocean Spray products are safe, other than their trail mix.  Trail mix is processed in a separate facility.  No nuts in their cranberry operations.

Medjool Dates - MOST ARE NOT SAFE, but Trader Joe's is sometimes safe!

http://www.naturaldelights.com/
is the website for Bard Valley - Sorry but they process pistachios and almonds (and coconut) on the same equipment.

Dole Dates (pitted whole or chopped) are also processed in the same facility as many nuts.  

Trader Joe's has a hotline number you can call (or get the store to call) to verify if their current vendor for a particular product processes the product in a facility that also handles peanuts or tree nuts.  In Chicago, presently, the Medjool dates and the figs are processed in a facility that is free of any tree nut or peanut protein!

Safe Chocolate Chips!

Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Trader Joe's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Friday, March 15, 2013

Nut free Charoset for Passover

Please keep chilled.  Stir before serving!  Makes enough for 15-20

3 Gala apples - fresh - peel and slice into 1/2-3/4" thick chunky lengths
1 Honeycrisp apples - fresh - peel and slice into 1/2-3/4" thick chunky lengths
1 Bartlett pears - fresh and very un-ripe - peel and slice into 1/2-3/4" thick chunky lengths
6 Dried Medjool dates - Trader Joe's brand - no nuts in the facility
10 Dried Black Mission figs - Trader Joe's brand - no nuts in the facility
10 Dried Apricots (with sulphur dioxide) - Trader Joe's brand - no nuts in the facility
1/2 c Ocean Spray Craisins (dried cranberries, infused with blueberry juice) - no nuts in the facility

In food processor:  Layer 2 apples then sprinkle 1/2 of the dried fruits on top, then layer the remaining apples/pear and sprinkle the remaining dried fruits on top. Pulse to get the top layer to circulate to the bottom for even chopping.  Stop and re-distribute by hand if the bottom is getting pureed while the top has yet to be chopped.  Get it to a texture that you like.  Put it all in a bowl.  I use the unripe pear to replace the texture of nuts - it stays crisp and gives the charoset more body.

Then mix the liquids:
1/4 c Welch's white grape juice
3 T Busy Bee Organic Honey
1/4 t McCormick's cinnamon
juice of 1/2 Lemon  - fresh


Pour by tablespoons full over the fruit and stir in, to taste.  The fruit will give off more juice, so don't make it too soupy!