88-763_Bulk_Clasen 4k Ct Natural Peanut Drops- 50lbs (88-763)

From: Meredith Koss Corporate Quality Manager – Clasen Quality Chocolate, Inc. RE: Allergen Information – Middleton, WI Facility The majority of the products manufactured at the Clasen Quality Chocolate’s Middleton, WI Facility contain both SOY and DAIRY ingredients. SOY Majority of products contain Soy Lecithin as an ingredient and is listed on all applicable product ingredient statements, labels, and product specifications. SOY-FREE: For products formulated without Soy Lecithin as an ingredient, an alternative emulsifier may be used. CQC uses common equipment for these 2 product groups and follows the guidelines referenced in the FARRP Expert Opinion: Allergenicity of Soybean Lecithin: April 12, 2017. Within this expert opinion statement is the following statement: “No conceivable allergenic risks would occur from the use of shared equipment for products that contain soybean lecithin and products that do not. The amount of soybean proteins that could conceivably be transferred to the next product manufactured with this shared equipment is extraordinarily low. Therefore, “allergen clean-outs” are not necessary, in our opinion, for shared equipment in situations where the first product contains soy lecithin as an ingredient and the second does not, if soy lecithin is the only ingredient in the formulation that is derived from a commonly allergenic source.” Soybean oil may also be used as an ingredient in some products, but is refined, bleached, & deodorized and therefore considered non-allergenic. DAIRY All products contain one or more dairy containing ingredients and are listed on all product labels and product specifications. Some of these ingredients are easily identifiable as a Dairy ingredient (Whole Milk Powder) and others are not (Calcium Caseinate). CQC may include (Milk) immediately following dairy ingredients not easily identifiable. The Middleton, WI Facility also produces products, which in addition to containing SOY and DAIRY ingredients, may also contain PEANUT and/or TREE NUT ingredients. PEANUT All peanut products contain one or more peanut containing ingredients and are listed on all product labels and product specifications. (continued on page 2) Corporate Office ● 5126 West Terrace Drive Madison, WI 53718 Tel 608.467-1130 ● Toll-Free 877.459.4500 ● Fax 608.249-4573 ● www.cqc.com TREE NUT All tree nut products contain one or more tree nut containing ingredients and are listed on all product labels and product specifications. Each individual Tree Nut is considered an independent allergen. Tree Nuts as defined by the FDA include: Almonds, Beech Nut, Brazil Nut, Butternut, Cashew, Chestnut, Chinquapin, Coconut, Filbert/Hazelnut, Ginko Nut, Hickory Nut, Lichee Nut, Macadamia Nut, Pecan, Pine Nut, Pili nut, Pistachio, Sheanut, &Walnut. Highly refined, bleached, & deodorized oils derived from peanuts and tree nuts are considered non-allergenic. Coconut Oil and Peanut Oil are utilized at this facility. Peanut and Tree Nut ingredients are controlled through a comprehensive Allergen Segregation Program within the Middleton Facility. This program includes: • Annual allergen awareness training for all employees. • Color coding system to clearly identify allergen specific ingredients, rework, tools, equipment, and finished products. • Combination of dedicated (where possible) & shared: o Receiving, storage, & shipping areas. o Manufacturing, shaping, and packaging equipment. o Employee tools, utensils, and workstations. o Sanitation wash areas, cleaning equipment, and chemicals. o General maintenance tools and lubrication equipment. • Validated cleaning and inspection procedures for shared equipment, including documented inspections, allergen residual swabbing, and finished product testing (where applicable). • Finished product labeling verification for allergens. Clasen Quality Chocolate’s Middleton, WI Facility does not receive, utilize, or warehouse any ingredients that knowingly contain: Wheat Gluten Egg Mustard Seafood Shellfish Celery Sesame Additionally, ingredient suppliers are evaluated for acceptable allergen practices prior to approval and incoming ingredients are verified to be received from approved vendor manufacturing locations. Allergen information statements for individual products are available upon request. Clasen Quality Chocolate, Inc. is dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services offered by the confectionery industry. Please contact our Quality Department to answer any additional questions

Confectionery Coating