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Free From...All Plamil products are dairy free, gluten free, non-GMO, and made in our own 'no nuts' factory. Avoiding allergenic ingredientsPlamil have been making products since 1965, originally soya 'milk' for those that wanted to avoid dairy milk. This was achieved by making products in our own factory, which never used dairy/animal ingredients. Then in addition to excluding dairy/animal products we also ensured that we never use ingredients with wheat or gluten. 'Avoidance' by exclusion evolved into 'allergy management' as labelling laws now recognise a defined list of ingredients which can trigger allergic reactions, which must be clearly labelled. For those that wish to avoid many ingredients either due to allergy or for ethical/religious reasons the 'exclusion from the production site' is more clearly defined and understood. At Plamil the only ingredients that we use in our factory that require 'allergy labelling' where appropriate, are soya and mustard (used in our plain egg free mayo's). In 2008 we added to the list of ingredients that we exclude from our factory: Our 'no nuts used here' productionWe have a long experience of producing chocolate and our dairy free hazelnut bars were always popular. But we noticed with crowds around our stands at public exhibitions that the demand for 'nut free' in the rest of our range became overwhelming. So many people asked questions like "is this product nut free", "I can't find organic chocolate which is nut free" and "my friend would love these but can't you make these products nut free". The comments were impossible to ignore. It was therefore clear that those who wanted a range of tasty, organic, 'no added sugar' and dairy free chocolate were not being catered for. We were very familiar with the concept of 'free from', but our commitment to seeking 'free from nuts' status meant we had to consult widely. Our whole factory is a no nut 'zone'Firstly we assessed if we thought it would be possible to meet the clear demand and finally decided that as well as installing a new production line for a new range of premium, impulse and snack bars we would fully commit ourselves, making our whole factory facilities uniquely 'no nuts used here'. Since January 2008 we stopped all production of products containing hazelnuts, and the factory/machinery underwent a series of the most thorough clean down you can imagine, removing any possible traces of nuts. Production line tests in the beginning of February already indicated negative results for hazelnut traces. Independent testing and in-house testing is now part of our ongoing commitment. As our whole production facilities are nut controlled, there are no segregated production facilities, storage areas or need for special 'no nut zones', but stricter controls on every aspect of the business. There is complete commitment with all staff involved. Some of the steps, but by no means the only things we have done and do:
'No nuts used here' and 'free from'So to answer all those questions we were getting at exhibitions "is this product nut free"... We use an Allergy Management System which includes tests that can now detect to one part per million - far more accurately than previously possible. The allergy information given on our retail packs is in line with up-to-date nut allergy labelling recommendations of not stating 'free from'. This is because, despite all our efforts, nothing can ever, always, absolutely be guaranteed 100% free from nuts. So we claim on our labels:
Which products are now available with the 'no nuts used here' allergy information?The first range of products with this new information is our new range of impulse and premium chocolate bars. Our whole confectionary range of products is now manufactured in our 'no nut factory' and labels will change during 2008 to carry the new allergy information. It is however important that those with a nut allergy are careful and treat every product as is written on each individual label. (This is because the distribution chain, wholesalers/retailers can hold stock for relatively long period.) Look out for the new 'no nuts used here' logo on the front of the labels, and the allergy information box next to the ingredients section on the back of the labels. LupinIn our commitment to produce products suitable for allergy sufferers we also took the additional step, at the same time as implementing the nut controls, to end the use of lupin in the Expressions chocolate bar. Therefore in addition to all hazelnut products, the Expressions bar was also discontinued. However we are already producing the ideal replacement for this product, our organic Fairtrade chocolate bar (see organic chocolates) which is ideal for those who want a dairy-tasting chocolate without the dairy milk. In each ingredient pop-up box on this website Click here to browse our product range. Useful links |
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will also see the allergy box information, as declared on the label.