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KoKo Dairy free new nut warnings

It would seem that KoKo Dairy free have recently changed their packaging due to circumstances at their factory. I was made aware of this by someone on Instagram who was very quick to point out that I was wrong to claim my breakfast was #nutfree 🙁

koko dairy free is nut free

KoKo Dairy free is still nut free despite nut warnings

At first I was confused (I was petrified… sorry, couldn’t pass up a song reference). Coconut is not a nut… but it soon became clear that this person was in the know and quite delighted to put me straight. I felt foolish and little downhearted. Was I losing yet another nut free product from my staple supermarket basket?

I contacted KoKo and I think the news is good. They are duty bound to update labelling if circumstances change at their factory but I do wish the packaging could contain more detailed explanations, without all this emailing to check. But hey ho. It’s easy to contact a company these days.

This what they said,

Thank you for your email and I hope I can clarify our change in labelling to you to give you some reassurance when consuming our Koko Diary Free yogurts.

No, none of our products contain nuts. However, we have recently discovered that the factory that makes our yogurts has started to make a yogurt product where a sealed plastic container is added to the top of a yogurt pot which contains Muesli for consumers to tip into their yogurt and this muesli has some nuts included in it. The Muesli is delivered in the little sealed pots which are shrink-wrapped onto the yogurt pots. Their contents are not exposed or open at all.

Initially we were not concerned as this is a managed risk but we decided to take advice and whilst the risk is infinitesimally small the authorities recommended that we put a warning on the packaging. All our yogurts are made in the same place, and so this applies to all our yogurts.

The risk of nuts entering the product is extremely small. The Muesli is delivered in the little sealed pots which are shrink-wrapped onto the yogurt pots. Their contents are not exposed or open. Initially we were not concerned as this is a managed risk but we decided to take advice and whilst the risk is very small the authorities recommended that we put a warning on the packaging.

As we do not own the factory so we cannot prevent them from doing other work. They appreciate the situation but believe that all the systems are in place to make sure that there can be no contamination risk so we are left in a dilemma. We fully appreciate that if they were making a hazelnut yogurt or something where nuts were added to a yogurt we would not be able to continue making our product but that is not the case. They only make plain or fruited yogurts and then there is one product they now make that has this sealed container added.

Our milk and spread are made in a separate factory with no potential of cross contamination.

I hope this is sufficient and if I can help further please do let me know and your disappointment isn’t too great?”

I will be asking them about my dairy allergy and whether this could pose a risk… since it isn’t clear what other yogurt products are made at the factory but I feel this is very good news.

The product containing nuts is in a sealed container and KoKo do not have any products containing nuts, so I would hazard my own judgement that this product is still pretty safe for those with a nut allergy.

I eat food prepared in kitchens with nuts are kept in sealed containers, so I am pretty sure these products will remain safe.

So just in case you see the nut warning or hear some bad press… KoKo have not deserted us.

The milk and spread is till completely freefrom and the yogurts, do not pose any risk of cross contamination in my view.

What do you think? Had you noticed the nut warning on the new packaging? Will you still eat KoKo dairy free products?

I’ve been eating them in blissful ignorance for a while anyway and had no adverse reactions. Any thoughs?

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Gluten and dairy free Everybody pasties at Marylebone Station!

For those of you who have heard about the new West Cornwall Pasty Company Gluten and Dairy free Everybody pasty, you may be interseted to hear you can get these at Marylebone station. They may be avaiable at other stations but check first.

I really rather enjoyed these gluten and dairy free pasties

I really rather enjoyed these gluten and dairy free pasties

What you need to do to get your hands on these freefrom pasties

  1. Plan a trip to London
  2. Check the station you are visiting has a West Cornwall Pasty company outlet
  3. Phone to check they have Everybody wheat and dairy free pasties in stock
  4. Phone to tell them what time you’re arriving – they need about an hour to get them ready so they can defrost and cook them to perfection
  5. EAT!
  6. Go back and beg for another

So who’s coming? I can’t wait. I need a trip to London – and soon! Who fancies a big freefrom picnic in the summer? with pasties en route for those organised enough to find some?

Bring on the freefrom pasties!

These guys were one of my winners at the recent FreeFrom Food Awards this week. Visit the Foods Matter Website to read Ruth’s Allergy Diary and my winners…. My review should be available on Saturday 1st April – this is not an April Fool 😉

If you do try one, remember to tag the West Cornwall Pasty Company #westcornwallpasty or #pastyfame

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Gluten and dairy from Cornish pasty, because it’s pie week

Can you eat pie? The chances are that if you’re a coeliac or have a wheat, dairy or celery allergy that they are totally off limits. Well no longer! You can still eat pie!

There are quite a few gluten free pastries and dairy free pastries on the market but not many that are both gluten and dairy free together. And I have made pastry before so if you love baking you can make your own pies. But what if you’re on the go and you just want to buy a pasty. I would have thought that this was just a dream but not any more.

At this year’s FreeFrom Food Awards 2017 judging I discovered the most amazing gluten and dairy free Cornish pasty.

It seemed very appropriate to share this today, especially since it’s British Pie Week!

This is not technically a pie but I think it qualifies.

Gluten, dairy and celery free Cornish Pasty

Now it’s been rather a long time since I ate a pasty and to have a REAL Cornish Pasty from Cornwall was one of those OMG moments. This pasty is amazing.

West Cornwall Pasty company Gluten and dairy free pasty

West Cornwall Pasty company Gluten and dairy free pasty

These West Cornwall Pasty pasty company pasties are freefrom wheat, dairy, soya and celery but most of all, they were packed with declious meat and vegetables and taste amazing. I need to get hold of some more of these because they were so delicious.

This was my outstanding moment from judging and there were many.

I may have eaten more of my fair share… OK I had loads. Well alright I had a whole one and some more.

I really rather enjoyed these gluten and dairy free pasties

I really rather enjoyed these gluten and dairy free pasties

You can find out more about the amazing West Cornwall Pasty company here in their latest blog ‘Everybody gluten and dairy free pasty shortlisted for FreeFrom Food Award 2017’.

To see all the other shortlisted products visit the FreeFrom Food Awards website.

These awards are so important for championing all the companies out there who really care about those of us with allergies and coaliac disease. These companies don’t think we should miss out or be excluded from enjoying a choice of foods and they have all gone the extra mile to experiment and create freefrom alternatives.

My taste buds may have changed over the years but I actually think many of these products would pass as the real thing and in some cases are even tastier.

I challenge you to try these pasties because you will be impressed! These are the real deal.

Let’s big up the FreeFrom Food Awards! #FFFA17

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Learning to cook wheat, dairy and tomato free Italian

If you’re living with multiple allergies and get fed up cooking the same meals day in day out… this cook book is just what you’re looking for. It is packed with wheat and dairy free recipes, which are all really easy to cook.

FreeFrom all’Italiana by Anna Del Conte and Michelle Berridale-Johnson is THE most brilliant, simple cook book I’ve discovered in years.

It is packed with pasta, risotto and soup dishes for those with allergies. You CAN still eat Italian!

FreeFrom all'Italiana by Anna Del Conten & Michelle Berridale-Johnson

FreeFrom all’Italiana by Anna Del Conten & Michelle Berridale-Johnson

This is the best birthday present that I received this year and one that will keep on giving.

I have perfected the Brocolli sauce pasta dish recipe with anchovies, garlic and chillis.

Brocolli,ancovy, garlic and chilli sauce

Brocolli,ancovy, garlic and chilli sauce

After cooking this dish twice now, it’s already a firm favourite. Find our more about this recipe in my allergy diary on the Foods Matter website, “Learning to cook Italian is a big hit!”

Next I will be mastering proper Italian Risottos and fish dishes. Come and join me. You can buy FreeFrom all’Italiana here.

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Dairy free, nut free, wheat free tapas, twice in one week!

This is a really quick blog with some delicious pictures of food that I’ve eaten recently at Tres Corazones tapas restaurant in Wendover.

I went with a group of friends for a Christmas dinner and then treated myself to lunch this week because it’s so quick, tasty and safe for people with allergies.

They cook everything fresh from scratch when you order which means they can easily adapt dishes to suit those with coeliac disease or allergies. The food I ordered was dairy free, wheat free, nut free, tomato free and celery free.

The starters…

I love olives but these were particularly tasty and the anchovies in vinegar were so delicate and moreish. One of my favourite dishes of the evening and naturally dairy and wheat free.

Manzanilla Olives and Boquerones which were anchovies

Manzanilla Olives and Boquerones which were anchovies marinated in vinegar

The resaurant made these specially for me slightly differently to the normal ones on the menu. Deliciously crunchy with sea salt crust, we voted these better than the option from the main menu!

Padron Peppers done specially for me with sea salt

Padron Peppers done specially for me with sea salt

And then the mains…

I was particularly looking forward to these baby squid and again, the restaurant were amazing and made these specially for me. The others had these from the main menu with a crumb coating and after trying both, they all agreed these were far superiour! Sometimes it’s good to be the allergic diner – I do love a bit of food envy 🙂

Chipirones (baby squid) con ali oli griddles a la plancha

Chipirones (baby squid) con ali oli griddled a la plancha

One of my favourite meals is roasted vegetables and I was able to order these straight from the menu, just minus the tomatoes, which I’m allergic to. Really tasty and just so fresh and simple. I’ve never roasted asparagus before but they were delicious.

Verdura a la plancha: courgette, aubergine, peppers, asparagus, mushrooms

Verdura a la plancha: courgette, aubergine, peppers, asparagus, mushrooms

My all time favourite dish at any tapas resraurant is the Spanish omelette. Again I could order this one straight from the menu and we could all share the same dish. We had quite a few of these between us. Really delicious and perfectly cooked.

Tortilla Espanola - potato and onion Spanish omelette

Tortilla Espanola – potato and onion Spanish omelette

We were so full we had no room for pudding! Not sure the puddings would have been suitable so I always just gorge on the starters and mains. A top night out and so safe and easy for me.

And finally, that sneaky lunch…

I had all this myself, Spanish omelette, garlic mushrooms and some more of those delicious anchovies. Mmmmmm…

Spinach omelette, garlic mushrooms and vinegar marinated achovies

Spinach omelette, garlic mushrooms and vinegar marinated achovies

This place is now my new favourite restaurant. Who wants to come with me next time?

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