Its really confusing when you first find out. One of the hardest things to understand is food labeling laws. Some foods say " may contain" , " made on same equipment" , or " made in the same facility as " . Some dont say anything at all.
Thats leads us to have to guess what it all means. Depending on your own comfort level and degree of your childs allergy you have to decide based on what little info they give you.
I will tell you this. There is NO law that says that if a cross contamination is possible ( such as made on same equipment or in the same facility) they "have" to tell you. Law requires only that they tell you " intentional " ingredients. As a result many companies pick and choose how to label their food warning labels if at all. They DO have to list the item " if" its a intended ingredient but since most peanut / nut allergic people are highly sensitive to minute residue thats just not enough to go on safely.
The best thing you can do is to take each item and call a company directly yourself. And make sure that you check back every 6 months or so as the facilitys change. I can give you a heads up on a few companies and maybe some of the moms here can share what they know as well.
Pepperidge Farm- goldfish - PN / TN free facility ( the chocolate covered ones around the holiday are not safe though)
Other Pepperidge Farm products are only labled on a case by case basis . That means you have to call on each product individually.
Entenmans - Does not label but does run on shared PN/ TN lines. So not safe.
Hostess- They do have some safe baked goods . Call and check to get the codes for your local area. Up here in PA if the numbers 68 and 87 before the date code are PN / TN free lines and facility.
Sara Lee- Does not label for may contains. So be careful.
Nestle - Does not lable for may contains. Only if it has it so be cautious as well.
Philly Swirl - They made ice pops that are in a nut free facility. ( The cupcakes with icecream are not safe)
Cooking oils- A lot of canolia and vegetable oils are made in facilities with nut oils . We use only olive oil and only apple sauce for baking. ( Turns out great btw!
Watch shampoos , body washes , hand soaps etc.. Almond and nut oils are very popular right now in a lot of these products. Shea Butter is a issue for some people with PN allergies so watch for that.
When shopping I take some sales flyers from the store and spread them down into my shopping cart to keep my food from contacting a place I know has had peanuts.
Hope some of that helps get you started.
