Food Allergy Friendly Halloween Treats from A&J Bakery

Recently, we were the happy recipients of a package of food allergy friendly Halloween treats from A&J Bakery. A big thank you goes from my sons and I to A&J!!!There were spooky ghost purple sugar cookies and scrumptious big iced pumpkin sugar cookies--all free of the top 8 allergens!--, lots of candy corn free of peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat, and gluten (they do contain soy and egg), and delicious biscotti (their specialty item). I have learned over the years that treats from A&J don't last very long in our house. It is such a treat to get freshly baked food allergy safe sweets from a bakery!

 

The owner, Joe Hitzemann, has explained to me many times the efforts they go through to find quality, food allergy safe ingredients, so when they say it is nut-free or gluten-free, it really is--right down to the manufacturer of every single ingredient. Knowing this puts my mind at ease.

 

By the way, if you are having a hard time finding food allergy safe candy corn that is peanut-free, nut-free, dairy-free, wheat-free and gluten-free, consider calling A&J at (401) 228-8696 or visiting their website (http://www.aandjbakery.net) soon! It is difficult to find food allergy safe candy corn, and with clear allergen information!

 

Other candy corn is being sold at dollar stores in the US and Canada but based on a cursory Google search, I found it is apparently made by a company in Mexico with some history of lead contamination in their mint candies. I haven't been able to find information clarifying if that brand of candy corn is from the same factory as the contaminated mint candy. Jelly Belly makes candy corn which is peanut free, and does not contain tree nuts or dairy as ingredients, but I am finding unclear information about the possibility of cross-contamination with milk and nuts.

 

Beware of labeling tricks and enjoy some food allergy safe treats this Halloween!

Food Allergy Consumer Alert: Halloween Candy

Each year, I find more and more food allergy safe options for my son. We've never missed trick-or-treating due to his food allergies, even though he does not eat any of the candy he gets while trick-or-treating. He is very happy to eat the safe candy I've got ready and waiting at home, and we have so much fun every year. As you consider your Halloween candy purchases (candy corn, marshmallow cremes, etc) and plans, I wanted to share some concerning information with you.

 

Over the last few years, I have noticed more and more food allergy families mentioning in online forums that they purchase food allergy safe candy at dollar stores. The labels say what we want to see: "This product is processed in a facility that does not use peanuts, tree nuts, milk or wheat." Like anyone, I love to get a bargain and I visit the dollar store myself from time to time. (not for toothpaste; not a big fan of antifreeze in my toothpaste.) I want to urge you to PLEASE do thorough research on the candy you buy. I recently discovered that Greenbriar International, which seems to be the Dollar Tree company, has had some problems with lead in their candy. From what I found in a cursory Google search, Greenbriar International (aka Dollar Tree) is related to Landmark Confections and Coastal Bay Confections, both candy brands sold at Dollar Tree stores. As recently as August 2014, some of their candy was found to be in violation of the California Health & Safety Code (Proposition  65). I found a "Sixty Day Notice of Intent to Sue for Violation of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986". In this notice, they discuss "Violations of Proposition 65 Concerning Candy Containing Lead". The notice states the violations have been occurring for more than three years!

 

There has been so much frightening news lately: Ebola, Enterovirus 68, people jumping the fence at the White House and getting in the White House! As the old saying goes, buyer beware! Check those labels, and then maybe check out the company that manufacturers the candy or food you buy. Those of us managing food allergies are pretty savvy consumers, so take a good long look when you are at the store and make sure you aren't getting more or less than you bargained for...