The Nut-Free Mom Blog

Food Allergies and Halloween: Tootsie Roll (R) Candies Made in a NUT-FREE Facility

Posted: 26 Oct 2012 09:10 AM PDT

Tootsie Roll (R) candies are produced in a dedicated, nut-free facility.

I got an e-mail from a parent last night who said she received a really nice note from Tootsie Roll industries. This mom had sent Tootsie Roll a thank-you note for being a candy that kids with peanut and tree nut allergies could safely enjoy. What a great idea, to let companies know why you appreciate their nut-free policies. I'm glad she shared her experience with me.

This mom's e-mail also made me realize that a lot of people might not know that Tootsie Rolls are made in a dedicated nut-free facility. This is the case for their entire family of products, like Caramel Apples, Junior Mints, Tootsie Pops, Sugar Babies, Dubble Bubble gum, Andes Candies and many more. Click this link to see Tootsie Roll's entire family of products. If you are looking for a last-minute Halloween candy for your nut-allergic child (or for yourself), then Tootsie Roll brand candies are an option easily accessible in nearly every store.

Caramel Apple Pops are just one of the products made by Tootsie in their nut-free facility.

Here is some more allergen information directly from the Tootsie web site:

Do any of your products contain peanuts or nuts?

At this time, all of our confections are completely peanut, tree nut and nut product free. We have no peanut or tree nut products in any of our facilities.

Which of your products is gluten free?

At this time, all of our confections are gluten free with the exception of Andes cookies. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts. We do use corn and soy products in the manufacturing of our products.

All Tootsie products are:

Gluten-Free (All Tootsie products are gluten free except Andes cookies.)

Peanut-Free

Nut Product-Free

Tootsie does not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt, or any of their components, either as ingredients or as part of the manufacturing process.

Corn and soy products are used during the manufacturing process.

Kosher Products:

Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Fruit Rolls, Frooties and DOTS have become kosher-certified by the Orthodox Union (OU). "We take great pride in producing wholesome confectionery products with fresh ingredients of the highest quality. This will bring our iconic brands to an entirely new consumer base that can now enjoy our products," said Ellen Gordon, President, Tootsie Roll Industries.

More Halloween candy supermarket finds made in a dedicated nut-free facility:

You can find Surf Sweets gummy candies (free of the top 8 food allergens and organic) including worms and spooky spiders at specialty grocers and Whole Foods; Skeeter Snacks cookies (peanut and tree nut-free) are available at many supermarkets and Costco; Yummy Earth lollipops (top 8 allergen free and organic) are available at many supermarkets and specialty grocers, even Toys R Us; Divvies nut-free, egg-free and dairy-free candies and treats are at specialty stores and Wegman's supermarkets.

Time is running out to order from awesome online retailers and nut-free bakeries like Premium Chocolatiers, Sweet Alexis bakery, Nutphree's, Deans' Sweets (gourmet chocolates) Cakes for Occasions and Vermont Nut Free Chocolates! If you haven't ordered yet, check to see if you can still get a Halloween delivery. Many of these also have local storefronts, so see the links for more details. If you live in the area, you can always stop in!

What are your favorite Halloween nut-free supermarket finds?

KID MEALS

Saturday, October 27, 2012