Mickey Ice Cream Bars are NOT Peanut/Tree Nut safe

[MouseinMelbourne]

Over the last year or two I have read on DISboards repeatedly that people with peanut or tree-nut allergic children consider the Mickey Ice Cream Bars safe. We've been discussing this on another thread, but I am creating a new thread about this topic alone because feel so strongly that I should share what I know in order to keep even one kid safe.

Every single time I have contacted WDW (and we're talking in the dozens), I have been told the Mickey bars are not safe. During one of my latest go-around with them I asked for ANY safe frozen novelties. The Mickey Bars were not given as an option. In fact, they sent me something that specifically indicates they are NOT safe. The picture of the LABEL does not have the warning, but the text of what she sent DOES. (The text is below.) I am sure most of you know, but there is no law requiring manufacturers to label for "may contains." Corey told me that the mfg. keeps changing the mfg. line, so one time it "may contain" and another time, it may not. But apparently they don't label it.

If anyone would like a copy of the actual email so that you can see the label that DOES NOT have the nut warning right there on the same page with the text that DOES, please let me know and I would be more than happy to forward it.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings and to think of the disappointment kids suffer when they see everyone else walking around with those cool bars. I've been there. My DD experiences that quite frequently since we go about once a month. But I felt compelled to share what I know. Do with it what you will. Which I hope is more research.

Here is the correspondence I had with WDW:

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
My family spends a lot of time in the WDW parks (we're passholders). My
daughter has a severe peanut/tree nut allergy. In the past we were told
that Itzakadoozie bars were safe for her to consume. Tonight I visited
the Nestle website and they indicate a possible cross-contamination.
This would be on the boxed treats to be consumed at home. Are WDW's
manufactured elsewhere?
http://www.nestle.ca/en/products/bra...n_Snacks/Itzak
adoozie.htm

Additionally, I would like to double check on the Mickey Ice Cream bars
(chocolate covered with the ears). In the past we were told they were
unsafe. Is this still the case?

My daughter is the most severely allergic one can be; so any minute
trace could give her a reaction.

Thank you for your help,
Carolyn Perrine


_________________________________________



On Jul 14, 2010, at 9:42 AM, WDW Special Diets wrote:

Dear Carolyn,

Thank you for your email.

Here is the information we have for the Itzakadoozie and the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar for your review.

Sincerely,

Lee Brady
Guest Communication Services
Walt Disney World

Carolyn's note: This is a copy of the attachment she sent.....

NESTLE ICESCREAMERS
PREMIUM ICE CREAM BAR
NESTLE ICE CREAM COMPANY LLC –
12647 ALCOSTA BLVD., SUITE 300, SAN RAMON, CA PLANT #06-30 1; 800-441-2525

INGREDIENTS: MILKFAT AND NONFAT MILK, COATING (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, COCONUT OIL, DUTCH PROCESSED COCOA POWDER, SOYBEAN OIL, COCOA BUTTER, DAIRY OIL, SOY LECITHIN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS), SUGAR CORN SYRUP, WHEY POWDER, STABILIZER (MONO-DIGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GUM, LOCUST BEAN GUM, CALCIUM SULFATE, POLYSORBATE 80, CARRAGEENAN), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, EXTRACTS OF TUMERIC COLOR, ANNATTO COLOR.

NESTLE’S NOVELTY ICE CREAM IS MADE IN A PLANT THAT PRODUCES NUT AND WHEAT PRODUCTS.


_________________________________________




-----Original Message-----
From: Carolyn Perrine [mailto:tperrine@XXXXXX.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 9:48 AM
To: WDW Special Diets
Subject: Re: Itzakadoozie

Thank you for the information. As I said in my first email, we were told (albeit a few years ago) that the Itzakadoozie were safe. Now, knowing that they are not, is there any ice cream novelty that WDW stocks that would be safe for a person with a peanut/tree nut allergy?

Thank you for your help,
Carolyn


_____________________________________________



Dear Carolyn,

I have attached the information on the fruit bars, Tofutti and Rice Dream frozen desserts.

You will be able to find the tofutti frozen dessert at most of the full service restaurants and also at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Beaches and Cream at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.

Sincerely,

Lee Brady
Guest Communication Services
Walt Disney World

 

[charlenek421]

We've just gotten home from cruising on the wonder. My son has tree but and peanut allergies. He ate the Mickey bars!!!!! Thankfully he didn't have a reaction. According to several waiters they read the labels and they were completely safe. I was disappointed to find out on the cruise that the staff was not as aware of our situation as I had read they would be. I had to constantly ask if things were safe, luckily my son is 3 and a picky eater so he doesn't eat a wide variety of foods. This upsets me that I exposed him to a few of these ice creams. The first time they brought it out, after telling me it was safe, they had it in a bowl of sprinkles. I asked for one without the sprinkles because I know those aren't very safe typically. I'll be contacting DCL about this for sure. Thank you so much for posting this information.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

I've been trying to find the study that analyzed samples of food labeled "may contain" and food not labeled "may contain" but suspected of containing. Can't find it.

This is the best I can come up with:

http://www.mamashealth.com/allergies/foodallergy.asp


Between September 1999 and March 2000, FDA researchers working with state inspectors from Wisconsin and Minnesota inspected 85 bakery product, ice cream and candy manufacturers for allergen labeling and cross-contamination issues, with a focus on peanut and egg allergens. Many of the firms in the study were small- to medium-sized operations. The joint study was prompted, in part, by a jump in the number of national recalls due to allergy-related ingredients not being listed on labels.

Samples were collected for egg and peanut protein analysis only when labeling or cross-contamination issues were identified by the investigator. Eighteen of the 73 samples (25 percent) of the ice cream, bakery and candy food product samples tested positive for peanut allergens, although peanuts were not listed on product labels. Investigators also found that companies unintentionally introduced food allergens into other foods through poor cleaning and cooking schedules or improper cleaning of utensils.

"These findings show that more work is needed," Falci says.

The inspectors also found that just over half of the manufacturers checked their products to ensure that the labels accurately reflected all of the ingredients.




I believe this is the FDA study the above is quoting:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNut...ComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm106779.htm

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

You are welcome, charlenek421. I debated because I know how much in love people are with those Mickey bars. Denial - it's not just a river in Egypt.

We were on the Wonder in October and had the opposite experience from you. I wonder if it is because all 3 ships now have 1/2 staff of inexperienced crew. We're going on the Dream in May and I will have no problem putting my foot down and making sure we are assigned to a server and head server who get it.

I am glad that nothing happened to your son and you all made it home safely!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

So sorry to hear this. I know all about peanut allergies as my brother's very allergic to all nuts. Well, I had a Disney wedding and as soon as I said "If my brother eats a nut or any trace of a nut, he could die right there" they went crazy to try to accommodate him. They made him everything separately and repeatedly asked me to identify him. Every letter to every coordinator, chef, everyone said "Brother of the Bride LIFE THREATENING NUT ALLERGY'.

I guess, my advice would be to talk to someone asap and really impress upon them the seriousness of the allergy.

 

[HappyontheLake]

Thank you --

There is a big difference in processed in a plant and processed on equipment, and people/children with allergies have their own thresholds that they abide by.

In the case of my children we feel comfortable allowing the consumption of food processed in a plant, but never on equipment.

Thank you.

 

[giljr]

We just got back from a cruise, and our server had to get special Mickey bars that were nut safe for my niece. But they are available, and she had one for dessert nearly every night.

 

[Erickson99]

Thank you --

There is a big difference in processed in a plant and processed on equipment, and people/children with allergies have their own thresholds that they abide by.

In the case of my children we feel comfortable allowing the consumption of food processed in a plant, but never on equipment.

Thank you.

It is the same thing with our kids - if it is processed on shared equipment then we don't allow it, but if is just processed in the same plant then that is OK.

Fortunately my kids have the allergies that they just can't consume it, but can smell it and be right next to someone who is eating it. My husbands HATES making a big deal out of their allergies, but I will be bringing the epi pen just in case and hope that we don't run into too many issues.

 

[princesskenziesmom]

Thank you so much for posting this. Our ds has a life threatening nut allergy so we can't take any chances. We don't ever let him eat any chocolate due to the fact that most of it is processed in a plant that uses nuts.

 

[jilljill]

thank you for posting this info

 

[clawmachine]

As PP said, everyone's threshhold is different but we strictly avoid any products with nut warnings and DS was given the Mickey Bar last week night after night and was totally fine. Our servers and head server were extremely careful about everything they gave him, so I do wonder if they have different labeling at different times. Then again, in our situation, we always read the label but do not call the manufacturer, in most cases....and this has always worked for us..