Food Allergy Support

Discussion Boards => Mfrs. & Packaged Food => Topic started by: Macabre on July 04, 2013, 08:41:08 AM

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Title: English Muffins
Post by: Macabre on July 04, 2013, 08:41:08 AM
From their website:

http://thomasbreads.com/Faq.aspx

FAQs
What is your guidance on allergenic ingredients for highly sensitive consumers?
We assure you that we adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices as established by the FDA. We take abundant precaution to prevent cross contact of allergenic ingredients between batches, and our bakeries are inspected to ensure that they meet or exceed all regulatory and baking industry standards. We understand that highly sensitive consumers need to know when there is even the remotest possibility of inadvertent cross contact of allergenic ingredients during processing. To that end we disclose that the following allergenic ingredients are used in some of our manufacturing facilities and that inadvertent cross contact is remotely possible: milk, eggs, soy, almonds, walnuts, peanuts and hazelnuts (filberts). Wheat is used in all of our facilities and all of our products as an ingredient. Please refer to ingredient labels on our products for full disclosure of the ingredients used in that product.




When I called them a month ago they said they labeled for shared lines--even sesame. But the person I spoke with waffled.

Ugh.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: twinturbo on July 04, 2013, 09:12:30 AM
Can you get Bay's? Last I called them they were straight forward at least. I did not call about sesame, however.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: GoingNuts on July 04, 2013, 09:17:50 AM
We nixed Thomas's years ago.  We go with Pepperidge Farm English muffins, but they are nearly impossible to find.  Which is really a shame, because they are delicious!
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on July 04, 2013, 09:27:47 AM
I also buy pepperidge farms english muffins.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: Macabre on July 04, 2013, 02:25:39 PM
PF makes them?  And safe for sesame? I will look for some.

DH made some killer ones a few weeks ago. Wow.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: MandCmama on July 04, 2013, 06:00:38 PM
When I called Thomas' a few years they were pretty blunt- yep we share lines. Nope, we don't label for them.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on July 04, 2013, 08:52:27 PM
We haven't had them in a couple months, but they were labeled safe for sesame (referring to Pepperidge Farms).  I'll have to look again next time I'm at the store. 
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: maeve on July 05, 2013, 05:14:35 PM
When I called Thomas' a few years they were pretty blunt- yep we share lines. Nope, we don't label for them.

I had the same experience. 
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: pitter patter on July 07, 2013, 09:28:30 AM
I believe Thomas is now one of the masses of products  owned by Bimbo Bakeries.  I will never buy Bimbo products because when I called I was read, verbatim,  their food allergy policy.  Their policy basically said that  food allergic individuals should not eat their products.  They didn't even try to convince me with the whole "good manufacturing practices" explanation  that most companies use to try to convince you that their products are safe.  A policy like this leads me to believe that they don't take precautions to keep the Top 8 separated.  It is unfortunate that Bimbo ownes a huge percentage of the bread products in this country.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: GoingNuts on July 07, 2013, 12:20:57 PM
Pitter patter, you nailed it.  I was seeing 10 shades of red by the time I got off the phone with their customer service rep.

And yes, they own a HUGE share of the bread market now.

 A pox on them!  >:( :tongue:
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: maeve on July 07, 2013, 02:43:29 PM
The issues I had with them when I called pre-dated the acquisition by Bimbo.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on July 07, 2013, 05:37:51 PM
We haven't had them in a couple months, but they were labeled safe for sesame (referring to Pepperidge Farms).  I'll have to look again next time I'm at the store.

PF eng muffins still read safe (at least here, don't know if they have regional bakeries)
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on October 04, 2014, 08:43:59 AM
I've sent an email to Bays English Muffins about peanuts, tree nuts and sesame since I cannot for the life of me find Pepperidge Farm English Muffins.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: Macabre on October 04, 2014, 09:04:49 AM
Oh, do post. I have been buying them for DS but haven't been eating them myself. I used to but seem more  sesame sensitive lately. DS is allergic to peanuts but does five with them. I think maeve also uses them.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on October 04, 2014, 11:04:13 AM
I sent the email and guess what I found at the grocery store...PF english muffins, but I don't think they are always there so it would be good to have a back up.  I will definitely post their reply.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on October 06, 2014, 07:56:02 PM
I've sent an email to Bays English Muffins about peanuts, tree nuts and sesame since I cannot for the life of me find Pepperidge Farm English Muffins.

Bad new for Bays on sesame...

Hi Hezzier
 
We do have Sesame seeds in our multi-grain product so they are in our facility.
 
Thanks,



This is the shortest response I've ever gotten when inquiring about allergens. No "thanks for contacting us" or anything.  And didn't have anything to say about peanut and tree nuts...guess I won't tell my non-sesame allergic friends about their products.  Not good PR
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: maeve on October 09, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
We've also used Sara Lee English muffins. I can only find those at Wal-Mart.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 21, 2015, 01:18:50 PM
Ok, rumor on the street is that PF has discontinued making English muffins.  Don't know if it's true so I will be calling on Monday.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: GoingNuts on November 21, 2015, 03:42:46 PM
Nooooooooo!
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: nameless on November 21, 2015, 06:07:34 PM
If you are in the northeast US - Vermont Bread Co is peanut/nut free (as if Koffee Kup Bakery.) Koffee Kup Bakery makes donuts! Grocery store donuts, but they are pretty good. They don't advertise it on their products b/c of US laws on such, but at VBC employees can't even bring peanuts/nuts in as snacks/lunch.

I believe you can order VBC products online.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 21, 2015, 06:39:11 PM
We have sesame to deal with as well...some of their breads have sesame so I haven't looked into in depth yet.  I was looking on their website and some of their rolls say made in a facility with tree nuts.

http://www.vermontbread.com/product/seed-grain-dinner-rolls/?type=buns-rolls
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: nameless on November 22, 2015, 10:22:35 AM
We have sesame to deal with as well...some of their breads have sesame so I haven't looked into in depth yet.  I was looking on their website and some of their rolls say made in a facility with tree nuts.

[url]http://www.vermontbread.com/product/seed-grain-dinner-rolls/?type=buns-rolls[/url]


well - then I'm going to write back to them and point that out.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: nameless on November 22, 2015, 10:26:52 AM
I wonder if it's the seeds or something, that come with the warning...so if the seeds they get in are 'same facility' but not 'same equipment' it might be they are considering the extremely unlikely cross-x with tree nuts on their VBC products (which might be why they don't put nut/pn free on labels anywhere.)

Honestly - that's fine with me with my comfort level. YMMV
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: nameless on November 22, 2015, 10:32:03 AM
I've written in, I'm sure they'll write back on monday.

I LOVE their english muffins (taste homemade and not like Thomas' and others which still taste 'processed' to me)
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: Macabre on November 22, 2015, 11:25:48 AM
I've wondered whether Thomas are on same equipment. I've just avoided them, but I buy them for DS.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: nameless on November 22, 2015, 02:18:48 PM
For Vermont Bread Co. --- they got back to me fairly quickly! They don't make those rolls anymore and the website is overdue for updating apparently.

So - they are pn/nut free. I'm not sure if they still use sesame.

~ Adrienne
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 22, 2015, 04:18:40 PM
Wow, I've sent them a message this morning and have not heard back from them yet.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: nameless on November 22, 2015, 04:54:20 PM
Wow, I've sent them a message this morning and have not heard back from them yet.

ah - I think I know the reason. I had been emailing Brian from Koffee Kup Bakery --- they are run by the same people :)  I replied back to Brian's email from a few weeks ago and asked about this anomaly, and he wrote back and explained.
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 23, 2015, 06:33:17 AM
This is what I got back...

Good Morning,
 
We are a peanut/tree nut free facility; however, there is sesame in the facility.
 
Jocelyn Galipeau
Vermont Bread Company
Superior Bakery, Inc.
860-923-9555 x23
Jgalipeau@vermontbread.com
 
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 23, 2015, 09:36:33 AM
I have a call into Vermont Bread Company.  I'll let you know what I find out.

Thomas' English Muffins (Bimbo Bakery) were less than helpful on the phone.  She said they do not label for sesame and there is sesame in the facility.  I asked in there was sesame on the line that made the muffins and she said she cannot tell me because they move product from facility to facility.

This is ridiculous.

Ok, well here's a gourmet english muffin that is peanut, tree nuts and sesame free if you are willing to pay for it.  He said they don't keep peanuts, tree nuts or sesame in the bakery.

http://www.stoneandskillet.com/
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 23, 2015, 12:10:42 PM
I have confirmed with pepperidge farms that the rumor is true that they have discontinued making both kinds of english muffins.  If you have an outlet near you, you may still be able to get them.  The one near us closed (thankfully, I called before driving there).
Title: Re: Thomas English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 23, 2015, 12:12:07 PM
I'm hoping no one minds, but I'm going to change the name of the thread to "english muffins" since there is more than info on thomas's.
Title: Re: English Muffins
Post by: Kittle on January 22, 2018, 06:40:09 PM
I know this is an old thread but my son just had an allergic reaction to Thomas’ English muffins. The packaging has NO statement in regards to peanuts.

So to all the moms wondering, do not give your peanut allergic kids the Thomas’ brand products :( I hope this saves someone else the heartache.
Title: Re: English Muffins
Post by: GoingNuts on January 22, 2018, 07:40:07 PM
Kittle, I’m so sorry that happened.  How is he?

I stopped using them years ago due to X-contamination concerns.  I switched to Pepperidge Farm English Muffins, but I don’t think they make them anymore. 

Unfortunately “may contain” and “shared equipment” warnings are voluntary, which totally sucks for our community.   :disappointed:
Title: Re: English Muffins
Post by: hezzier on November 05, 2018, 02:34:51 PM
I saw a FB post that said Thomas's English Muffins now have a warning for Walnuts.  So since I was headed to the grocery store, I checked our Thomas's and the label stated made in a facility that uses nuts.

We do not use this brand.