I've been buying the all natural vanilla for my kids (all NKA) but now I'm tempted to try it

I can never find the B&J's that are "plain" short of at a stand/store which is not within my comfort zone.

We choose Breyer's all natural vanilla (as opposed to the other Vanillas) because of our own allergy set - gluten, egg, peanuts and treenuts. 

we've been gobbling these down (they are just the right size)

http://www.bluebunny.com/Products/d/Cadbury_Vanilla_Chocolate_Ice_Cream_Bars

No advice on the allergies, individual mileage may vary. It works for us, though.

We just read the ingredient lists carefully. They do have some that say shared equipment and those are ones in which some of the add-ins may have cross contamination issues. B&J's works closely with FAAN and another food allergy resource also so hopefully that makes them that much more aware of any possible issues.

Jessica, thank  you for your response.  How do you determine which Ben & Jerry's favors are safe?

For me it's just based on track record and cleaning procedures. Normally I wouldn't be this lax but with ice cream there aren't any other choices around here. We are very watchful when dd eats ice cream. She is 16 and has been eating Breyer's Vanilla and safe Ben & Jerry's flavors for at least 8 yrs or so.

Can those of you who eat Breyer's vanilla and Ben and Jerry's tell me why you feel comfortable doing so?  Do these companies label for shared equipment or have dedicated equipment?  Are their cleaning procedures exemplary?  I would appreciate any feedback.  THanks!

Turkey Hill does not have any peanuts or treenuts on the line for the vanilla and chocolate. All add ins are done on different attachments. Unless something has changed since the fall, but my son eats this all the time. We also do Breyers vanilla and chocolate.

We also use breyer's vanilla (all types of vanilla) and also ben & jerry's that read safe.

Not sure if it's within your comfort level but we do use Breyer's All Natural Vanilla.  I know others here use other flavors as well but I just get nervous.  And more than once we have goofed and got the vanilla with egg in it - we are good at reading labels with new packages of food as a double check at home. 

I wish Edys/Dreyers would revoke their peanut free symbol as well.  Gotta love a good PF label on an ice cream that includes peanut oil (I know, I know oil doesn't cause a reaction for most but still...).

I wanted to add that when  I was new to allergies, I mixed up blue bunny and blue bell, and did have a reaction.  Not an epi reaction, but a definite reaction.

From the above link...

QuoteThe Quality Assurance Department reviews weekly production orders to ensure non-allergen products are manufactured first. When bulk flavors are produced, flavors are arranged in an order that prevents one flavor from being contaminated by the preceding flavor. If the possibility exists, an equipment washout is performed. In the rare instance where a flavor change is made on a novelty run during a shift, the same procedure is followed. Ordinarily, the same product is run on a novelty line for an entire shift; the machine is then dismantled, scrubbed and sanitized before the next shift. All Wells' manufacturing facilities are Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certified.

This is the same policy/procedure that resulted in DS's anaphylactic reaction to breakfast cereal when he was 5.   

Ugh.

Well, I am glad that they gave you straight information when they spoke with you, at least.


Not so thrilled about the (dangerously?) misleading labeling, though.   

I just got off the phone with Blue Bunny.  I was told that there is no dedicated equipment or facility.  They do the allergan wash/dismantle equipment process.  I pointed out that labeling their products "nut allergan free" is misleading.  The rep agreed and said that they were in the process of removing that distinction from the website.  I am extremely disappointed, to say the least.          I'm not surprised, though.  I am beginning to get used to this kind of disappointment.    I wish I could be one of those parents who are ok with the standard equipment wash procedure.  I have two friend with PA kids and their kids eat anything without a warning--regardless of manufacturer.  Neither have ever had a reaction.  But I just can't bring myself to do this.

I do know that Blue Bell has some safe ice cream, but it is not sold here in California.

FAs are so depressing. 

Blue Bunny is made by Wells Dairy in LeMars, Iowa.  Are you contacting Blue Bunny or Blue Bell?

Here is allergen info from Blue Bunny, including info about equipment and cleaning procedures (I'd still call):

http://www.bluebunny.com/About/FAQ/Products.aspx