A list of companies specializing in safe treats and seasonal presents
 |
| PHOTO CREDIT: Christmas Village Flash Screen free wallpaper |
Being the parent
of a child with food allergies can be frequently stressful and rather
isolating, especially during the holidays which feature an abundance of
food-centered gatherings. Making sure everyone is included, safe, and still
having a great time is a worthwhile challenge. And so rewarding! To give
parents some extra empathy – or safe treats – is keenly appreciated during the
holiday season. Find below a list of some of my family’s favorite and safe
vendors for avoiding treenuts, peanuts and eggs. Check the section on
“free from:” designations as several of these companies are also safe for those
avoiding dairy or other top 8 allergens.
·
Premium Chocolatiers - http://www.premiumchocolatiers.com/
Gourmet chocolates and truffles sold in gift boxes. Solid chocolate in lollipops, shapes and bars. Chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate cheesecake bites and chocolate “flowers.”
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs, dairy, gluten
Does contain: soy
Made in designated PN/TN facility? Yes
Where to find: order online
This is a big deal because most fancy chocolates contain nuts and use eggs in their truffles. This is the only chocolatier I’m aware of that is also dairy-free. (Let me know in comments if there are others.)
Gourmet chocolates and truffles sold in gift boxes. Solid chocolate in lollipops, shapes and bars. Chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate cheesecake bites and chocolate “flowers.”
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs, dairy, gluten
Does contain: soy
Made in designated PN/TN facility? Yes
Where to find: order online
This is a big deal because most fancy chocolates contain nuts and use eggs in their truffles. This is the only chocolatier I’m aware of that is also dairy-free. (Let me know in comments if there are others.)
·
Vermont Nut-free Chocolates - http://www.vermontnutfree.com/
Chocolates, truffles, candies, baking goods, granola bars and trail mixes sold individually or in combos. Holiday themed chocolates and giftboxes.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts
Does contain: dairy is included in several of their chocolates; egg is included in their truffles – but not in solid chocolates or baking chips; they use soy; some products contain wheat; many products are processed on same lines containing dairy, egg, or wheat (their ingredients page is very thorough with labeling)
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes
Where to find: order online; in some healthfood stores in New England
This is a big deal because most gourmet chocolates contain nuts or are made on same equipment. This is the only chocolatier I’m aware of that provides nut-safe white chocolate and butterscotch baking chips. (Let me know in comments if there are others. Enjoy Life brand makes nut-safe semi-sweet chocolate chips but other flavors have had cross-contamination warnings – always read labels and/or check with manufacturers for most up to date info.)
Chocolates, truffles, candies, baking goods, granola bars and trail mixes sold individually or in combos. Holiday themed chocolates and giftboxes.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts
Does contain: dairy is included in several of their chocolates; egg is included in their truffles – but not in solid chocolates or baking chips; they use soy; some products contain wheat; many products are processed on same lines containing dairy, egg, or wheat (their ingredients page is very thorough with labeling)
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes
Where to find: order online; in some healthfood stores in New England
This is a big deal because most gourmet chocolates contain nuts or are made on same equipment. This is the only chocolatier I’m aware of that provides nut-safe white chocolate and butterscotch baking chips. (Let me know in comments if there are others. Enjoy Life brand makes nut-safe semi-sweet chocolate chips but other flavors have had cross-contamination warnings – always read labels and/or check with manufacturers for most up to date info.)
·
Divvies Bakery - http://www.divvies.com/
Gourmet food gifts and cook book. Baked goods include cupcakes, sheet cakes, and 6 varieties of cookies. The cupcakes are sent un-iced; you choose frosting colors and decorate yourself. They also sell gourmet popcorn, candies, holiday themed candy, solid chocolate bars and semi-sweet baking chips.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs, and dairy
Does contain: soy, wheat, corn
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes for some products, they don’t make everything on site - other products/ingredients are certified allergen-free by manufacturers
Where to find: Order online
This is a big deal because most commercial bakeries use nuts, peanuts or peanutbutter and eggs. Divvies offers a wide range of products.
Gourmet food gifts and cook book. Baked goods include cupcakes, sheet cakes, and 6 varieties of cookies. The cupcakes are sent un-iced; you choose frosting colors and decorate yourself. They also sell gourmet popcorn, candies, holiday themed candy, solid chocolate bars and semi-sweet baking chips.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs, and dairy
Does contain: soy, wheat, corn
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes for some products, they don’t make everything on site - other products/ingredients are certified allergen-free by manufacturers
Where to find: Order online
This is a big deal because most commercial bakeries use nuts, peanuts or peanutbutter and eggs. Divvies offers a wide range of products.
·
Brothers All Natural Freeze-dried Snacks - http://www.brothersallnatural.com/
Fruit crisps, fruit & oat cups, potato crisps in individual and bulk packaging. Products are made using no chemicals, no oils/fats, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and low calorie. Offers 10 varieties of dried fruit crisps. Delicious for snacking and also baking. Can use them to make your own safe trail mixes or put in cereal, too. They also offer “Fruit of the Month” discounts throughout the year.
Free from: peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, gluten, soy
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes – their facilities are top 8 allergen free
Where to find: Order online; also available in variety of grocery stores
This is a big deal because dried fruit is almost always made around nuts, many dried fruits also contain chemical preservatives or color enhancers. To find all natural, allergen free and really tasty dried fruit is a treasure.
Fruit crisps, fruit & oat cups, potato crisps in individual and bulk packaging. Products are made using no chemicals, no oils/fats, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and low calorie. Offers 10 varieties of dried fruit crisps. Delicious for snacking and also baking. Can use them to make your own safe trail mixes or put in cereal, too. They also offer “Fruit of the Month” discounts throughout the year.
Free from: peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, gluten, soy
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes – their facilities are top 8 allergen free
Where to find: Order online; also available in variety of grocery stores
This is a big deal because dried fruit is almost always made around nuts, many dried fruits also contain chemical preservatives or color enhancers. To find all natural, allergen free and really tasty dried fruit is a treasure.
·
Gerb’s Seeds - https://www.mygerbs.net/
Vegan, dry roasted seeds (sunflower, pumpkin & flax) sold separately and in combos with dried fruits for trail mixes. Also sells seed butters and dried spice blends. No chemicals or oils are used. Certified Kosher.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs, dairy, soy, shellfish, sesame, gluten, and transfats
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes
Where to find: Order online
This is a big deal because most seed providers make other products with nuts or peanuts so cross-contamination is a risk. Great source for baking, snacking & trail mixes.
Vegan, dry roasted seeds (sunflower, pumpkin & flax) sold separately and in combos with dried fruits for trail mixes. Also sells seed butters and dried spice blends. No chemicals or oils are used. Certified Kosher.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs, dairy, soy, shellfish, sesame, gluten, and transfats
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes
Where to find: Order online
This is a big deal because most seed providers make other products with nuts or peanuts so cross-contamination is a risk. Great source for baking, snacking & trail mixes.
·
Stretch Island Fruit Co. - http://stretchislandfruit.com/
All natural dried fruit in strips or rolls. No added sugars, no chemicals or additives. Delicious alternative to overly processed fruit leathers or fruit-by-the-foot products which usually contain HFCS. Conscientious company with a fruit tree-planting program for schools to boot.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes; they are also equipped with special ventilation system
Where to find: Order online; also available in a variety of grocery stores
Great safe snack. Intense flavors from the drying process. My fav is the cherry.
All natural dried fruit in strips or rolls. No added sugars, no chemicals or additives. Delicious alternative to overly processed fruit leathers or fruit-by-the-foot products which usually contain HFCS. Conscientious company with a fruit tree-planting program for schools to boot.
Free from: peanuts, treenuts, eggs
Made in designated PN/TN free facility? Yes; they are also equipped with special ventilation system
Where to find: Order online; also available in a variety of grocery stores
Great safe snack. Intense flavors from the drying process. My fav is the cherry.
No comments:
Post a Comment