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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

PEEPS Marshmallows and DAIRY... MILK-FREE... sometimes!

Peeps Marshmallows tend to be very popular during the Easter season.  My kids like them just as much as everyone else.  However, with our dairy, egg and nut allergies, we need to be a bit more selective in which ones we buy.  With this in mind, I decided to do an updated ingredient review on the products available.    

When it comes to the GLUTEN-FREE labeling, all of the products I came across were clearly marked and they also appear to be completely NUT-FREE and EGG-FREE.

However, the MILK-FREE (DAIRY-FREE) labeling can vary. 

Peeps Brand Marshmallows Candies, manufactured by family-owned JUST BORN, Inc., Bethlehem, PA.

1.  Peeps Marshmallow Chicks, Lavendar - NO DAIRY


  • Ingredients listed includeSUGAR, CORN SYRUP, GELATIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 0.5% OF THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS: POTASSIUM SORBATE (A PRESERVATIVE) NATURAL FLAVORS, RED #3, BLUE #1, YELLOW #6, CARNAUBA WAX.
  • Also stated on the packagingGLUTEN FREE

2.  Peeps Marshmallow Bunnies, Yellow
      DAIRY listed on packaging next to Allergen Information 


  • Ingredients listed include: SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, GELATIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 0.5% OF THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS: YELLOW #5, (TARTRAZINE), POTASSIUM SORBATE (A PRESERVATIVE), NATURAL FLAVORS, CARNAUBA WAX. 
  • Also stated on the packaging ALLERGEN INFORMATION: May contain MILK

3.  Peeps Milk Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows
      contains DAIRY, stated in ingredient list

  • Ingredients listed includeSUGAR, MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, WHOLE MILK, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, NON FAT DRY MILK, SOY LECITHIN - AN EMULSIFIER, VANILLIN - AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR), CORN SYRUP, GELATIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 0.5% OF THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS: YELLOW #5 (TARTRAZINE), POTASSIUM SORBATE (A PRESERVATIVE), NATURAL FLAVORS, CARNAUBA WAX.
  • Also stated on the packagingGLUTEN FREE
For more information, contact:  www.marshmallowpeeps.com or call 1-888-645-3453.

If you are cautious of purchasing products which include natural flavors, be sure to consider this aforementioned ingredient when buying these items.  Also, if you are allergic to certain dyes, be sure to read the coloring ingredient list for every different PEEP as the coloring varies.  

This is just a small reminder that when managing allergies, one must always read the ingredient list and not just rely on reading the highlighted allergen information.

I hope this helps you in deciding which of these products will be safe for your home!  I already have mine stashed away!!

4 comments:

  1. They may lack dairy, but with pig-derived gelatin (a by-product of the viciously cruel "pork" industry) they contain something much, much worse: the unnecessary suffering and torture of millions of sensitive, intelligent beings. Please learn about factory farming!

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  2. The company can always change their procedures, but here is what I know about Peeps and dairy:
    1. The chocolate-dipped ones contain dairy.
    2. All the 2D (flat) ones (pumpkins, bunnies, snowmen) are processed on the same lines as dairy and therefore are labeled for the likelihood they have had cross contact.
    3. The 3D ones--chicks--are processed on a dedicated,dairy-free, line on a separate floor.

    Remember to always read the labels. Just because that's how the operate as of my phone call to them today doesn't mean they won't change their production lines or formulations tomorrow. Stay safe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your added info! The more details, the safer we can keep out kids..

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  3. I bought the yellow peeps and it does not say May contain dairy on the package. But my milk allergic kids both had allergic reactions after eating them today!

    ReplyDelete

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