With an eye on the food allergy community as a unique group of consumers since 2008, we're on a quest to find and share ways to continue enjoying the good things in life.


30 August 2009

Allergen Free Candy Corn?

Many readers of Food Allergy Buzz remember the candy corn saga from last fall. I tried to find truly peanut-free candy corn, from a completely peanut-free facility/factory and had no luck. I came close though--Blueberry Hill made candy corn in an enclosed peanut free section (could be considered a "facility") within a larger building or facility.

Some rumbles about candy corn are already beginning and Food Allergy Buzz is beginning to receive visitors in search of allergy free candy corn, allergen free candy corn, and peanut free candy corn. Blueberry Hill Foods has been bought out by another candy company, Sunrise Candies. I recently called Sunrise to find out if they are still producing "peanut free" candy corn. I learned that their candy corn is peanut-free and nut-free, made in a Mexican facility which does not use any peanuts or tree nuts. They make a lot of "private label" candy so there is a good chance your local supermarket's bags of candy corn may be from Sunrise. If you know of another brand of peanut/nut-free candy corn available for sale, please do send in a comment. The more options, the better--I am still looking too!

Another yet more elusive Halloween candy is egg-free, peanut-free, and nut-free candy corn. Does it exist anywhere? Does anyone know? That would be a great find! And what about gluten-free candy corn, without the risk of cross-contamination? Has anyone got a brand to recommend? 

Fingers crossed for some good tips!

BTW, I use the term "allergen free" loosely. Of course, nothing is truly allergen-free, but we each can hope to find things allergen-free of the things we need to avoid!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jennifer. Actually there is a candy corn ...dairy free, egg free, nut free...http://foodallergysupport.drmomsallergyrx.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=307

Unknown said...

Hi! Thanks for your comment! We bought those candy corn flavored DOTS at the supermarket over the weekend, coincidentally. They are a nice substitute for candy corn. The flavor is similar to candy corn but they still have that gumdrop texture going on in a big way, being DOTS. They do look kind of candy corn too, so might be a good substitute for decorations on cupcakes, etc.

Doctor Mom said...

Hi Jen, Can you help me fix the above post . I did enter the link as my name, but didnt mean to call it anonymous. Can you keep the link, but call me "Doctor Mom". The link in th epost doesnt work. Thanks. Appreciate it.

Unknown said...

Hi Doctor Mom! I guess the second time's the charm! I am unable to edit the comments here in Blogger so I have just published your second comment so readers can click on your name and visit your site. Hope that's okay...

Doctor Mom said...

Of course! I think many members of our allergic community will enjoy the candycorn dots as a pretty close sub! They are great for decorating cupcakes, cakes and candies! They also have a ghost variety, and a bat variety! Hope this helps some of your followers! Have a great day.

Unknown said...

Yeah, I agree, it is a pretty good substitute. We still had our box so I snapped a shot and added a post to make sure people notice them. Thanks!

If the Sunrise candy corn were made in the US, I would probably buy that, but...I'll wait and stick with the DOTS.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure that Vermont Nut-free Chocolate makes candy corn...

Unknown said...

Anonymous, VT Nut Free used to carry candy corn but something about the manufacturer or manufacturing process for the candy corn changed about a year or two ago. I asked about whether candy corn would be available last year through Vermont Nut Free and they said they are looking for a safe new brand brand to carry, but have not found one yet. By the looks of the VT Nut Free Halloween selection this year, it looks like the elusive candy corn has yet to be found. I bet you are right, though--as soon as some high quality, absolutely nut-free candy corn is available, VT Nut Free would be the place to find it. :)

Jenny said...

I just found these candy corn Dots--they are great for decorating cupcakes, as you mentioned. The bat "Dots" are cute, too. I'm glad to see these since I know they're safe if they're from Tootsie.

I know that Hershey makes candy corn Kisses--they are safe according to Hershey's label/allergy info which I've found to be accurate.

Unknown said...

I am a new reader of this blog and am a grandmother of 1 1/2 year old with peanut, dairy, egg, and dairy allergies. I am trying desperately to find something cute to send for Halloween, but have found nothing on line. Any suggestions?

Jan Fischer

Unknown said...

Hi Jan,

Have you looked at Divvies? http://www.divvies.com/ They might work for you.

They are peanut free, tree nut free, egg free, and dairy free. They are also Kosher. They have cookies, cupcakes, candy and chocolate. A bit pricey, as you might expect.

Hope this info is helpful.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Jennifer,

I was looking for something really cute. I did find two chocolate ghosts in a package, but, I was looking for something cuter. I may just be asking for the moon.

Thanks,

Jan

Shawn Phillips said...

yes, Candy Corn... the dreaded CC...

We have egg, dairy and various other allergies, including peanut.

Candy corn is one of my favs and given he can eat so little during this season, it's great to share this simple food.

Alas, not possible with the egg--which always strikes me as odd...

But, we got some of the DOTS in his bag and I was frustrated to not be able to locate ingredients. Finally, after contacting the CO. they confirmed they were ok.

Still, leaves me only mildly confident.

We found an amazing candy corn that is safe from Jelly Belly Brands.... it's in 3 flavors and full on awesome.

As for Divvies... love 'em, they rock!

Shawn

Unknown said...

Hi,

I am thrilled to find candy for my little granddaughter. I have seen "DOTS" mentioned which I will try to find at my market, but where did you find a recipe for cupcakes upon which to decorate them without eggs, etc.

Jan

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan,

A box of Energ-G Egg Replacer (it's a powdered potato starch) costs about $5 and you can use it in most any recipe calling for eggs other than something like angel food or other where there are lots of eggs. I have baked many beautiful cakes & cookies, made pancakes, etc. for people without egg allergy and they have no idea the item didn't have eggs. Your local natural foods store should have it.

You might also find allergy-free chocolates and then buy some candy molds from a craft store and make your own fun holiday shapes. That is what I'll be doing for my son for Christmas this year. Bake It Pretty.com has darling molds and lots of other pretties!
Best to you and your granddaughter.
Joyce
Colorado

Unknown said...

Hi Joyce,

Thank you so very much for the info. I will certainly look for the Energ-G egg replacer at our health food store and will utilize your inovation of making molds for the holidays with allergy free chocolate.

Jan Fischer

K said...

jelly belly candy corn is nut, peanut and seed free in ingredients and facility.

Anonymous said...

but Jelly belly is not coconut free!