Since the advent of Peanut Butter MultiGrain Cheerios, Food Allergy Buzz has received an increasing number of visitors in search of answers about Oreos. As you may know, Nabisco Oreos come in some peanut butter varieties too. Consumers shopping for peanut and nut allergies want to know: are Oreos safe for individuals with a peanut allergy? Are Oreos safe for individuals with tree nut allergies? It's up to you, the consumer, to decide if they are safe for you or your loved one.
I wrote to Nabisco recently, explaining that my son has life threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, and that he cannot eat food manufactured in a facility where peanuts or tree nuts are present. I asked about the facility where Golden Double Stuff Oreos are made (we had a package, with the sku and all the pertinent info on hand).
Below is the reply I received on February 7, 2012. I think it's a very good, thorough reply. You can see the emphasis in Nabiscos' answer is on peanuts; I would have liked a little more info about tree nuts, but all in all, it is a good response. I wish I received this sort of response from more food manufacturers. Hats off to Nabisco for being food allergy aware and sensitive to food allergic consumers!
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for visiting http://www.nabiscoworld.com.
I'd be glad to provide you with information on our manufacturing processes pertaining to food allergens.
If tree nuts and or peanuts were present in our product it would be listed in the ingredient statement.
When labeling products, we consider - and label for - all possible sources of the 8 major allergens recognized by the FDA. These are eggs, fish, crustacean, shellfish, milk, peanuts, soy, tree nuts and wheat. Kraft also labels for additional allergens or substances of interest including celery, mustard, lupin, mollusks, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, poppyseeds, cottonseed, all sources of gluten, and sulfites in levels over 10 ppm. If any of these substances are added to the product, they will be listed in the Ingredient Statement.
Please be aware that formulas may change and the best source of information is the ingredient statement. We ask that our consumers take the time to check the ingredient statement prior to purchasing a product.
To help you with your personal dietary needs, we suggest you contact a physician, allergist, or dietitian with allergy specialty.
To locate a registered dietitian in your area, contact the Consumer Nutrition Hot Line at The American Dietetic Association (ADA) at 1-800-877-1600 Ext. 5000.
Also, other Oreo products, including traditional Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, currently are produced in other facilities that do not produce the Oreo Double Delight Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate Crème and on production lines that do not produce peanut-containing products.
If tree nuts and or peanuts were present in our product it would be listed in the ingredient statement.
When labeling products, we consider - and label for - all possible sources of the 8 major allergens recognized by the FDA. These are eggs, fish, crustacean, shellfish, milk, peanuts, soy, tree nuts and wheat. Kraft also labels for additional allergens or substances of interest including celery, mustard, lupin, mollusks, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, poppyseeds, cottonseed, all sources of gluten, and sulfites in levels over 10 ppm. If any of these substances are added to the product, they will be listed in the Ingredient Statement.
Please be aware that formulas may change and the best source of information is the ingredient statement. We ask that our consumers take the time to check the ingredient statement prior to purchasing a product.
To help you with your personal dietary needs, we suggest you contact a physician, allergist, or dietitian with allergy specialty.
To locate a registered dietitian in your area, contact the Consumer Nutrition Hot Line at The American Dietetic Association (ADA) at 1-800-877-1600 Ext. 5000.
Also, other Oreo products, including traditional Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, currently are produced in other facilities that do not produce the Oreo Double Delight Peanut Butter ‘n Chocolate Crème and on production lines that do not produce peanut-containing products.
This information is accurate as of today. As recipes and production schedules are subject to change, always make sure you read the label every time you buy any product.
For more information about food nutrition, visit www.kraftfoods.com and click on Healthy Living.
Kim McMiller
Associate Director, Consumer Relations
Associate Director, Consumer Relations
6 comments:
It is a good response, however, I think that letter is crafted to avoid a law suit. They say to read the label, consult a dietician, see an allergist. They were polite, they actually responded---and that's good. But honestly, they just pass the buck, in my opinion.
This is odd, considering when I called them last year, I was told Reg. Oreos are produced on the same lines as nutter butters...yet their ingredients list never stated so and still doesn't.
Good to know, thank you for sharing!
"..and on production lines that do not produce peanut-containing products" to me sounds like wording that means that they ARE produced in shared facilities with peanuts, even if not with those particular named products. Research has indicated 6.5% clinically significant cross-contamination in shared facilities with peanuts.
Thanks Dorothy, Anonymous and DannyScotland. And yep, I agree, Anonymous2. The words, I am sure, were chosen carefully. BIG difference between "production lines" and "facility".
My daughter had a reaction to Mint oreos. Got the same answer when I called. However, whenever a peanut version of a product she eats is produced, within a few months, she has a reaction to the non-peanut version. The same reaction. Hmm.
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