Light Small Pieces (13001-500)

Although Crain Walnut Shelling has always been dedicated to processing exclusively walnuts, we acknowledge that allergens are a serious concern for our customers and consumers, and have further reduced the risk of cross-contamination of other allergens by initiating the following guidelines, policies, and procedures. 1. CWS recognizes that cross contamination may be introduced to our facility by harvesting of walnuts with shared farming equipment (of other tree nuts, listed below). Because of this, CWS walnuts may contain other tree nuts grown in close proximity to walnuts. • Hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, Cashews, Macadamias, Pecans, Pinenuts, Pistachios Hullers, dryers, and trucking companies are contacted prior to harvest to provide resources and recommendations for processing raw product safely and without cross-contamination. To further reduce the risk of allergen cross-contamination at the field level, introduction of FSMA will require contracted growers to follow GAP guidelines. Truckloads of in-shell walnuts are sampled and examined during the receiving process to identify and contain any potential cross contamination that could have occurred during the harvest of walnuts. Cleaning of the product contact surfaces is regularly verified through environmental swabbing for coliforms and/or ATP swabbing. In addition, if cross-contamination occurs, then an allergen test kit for the specific allergen is used to test whether any residue is left on that equipment/line after sanitation. CWS recommends their customers research local laws and regulations for allergen labeling requirements of their products when considering the shared farming equipment used while harvesting walnuts. 2. Allergen awareness training is provided during new hire orientation and on an annual basis for current and returning employees. As a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), employees are routinely trained to wash their hands thoroughly before returning to work. 3. Contractors and vendors visiting our facility are notified of our GMP and Allergen Awareness guidelines prior to entering production areas. 4. CWS is a Peanut Free Facility by prohibiting peanuts or peanut products from entering our lunchrooms or any other part of our facility. Employees are permitted to store and eat food in designated breakrooms only. Breakrooms are separated from production areas. Crain Walnut Shelling, Inc. continues to monitor and evaluate the risk of allergen cross contamination based on risk assessment and residual monitoring. Historical test results have not indicated notable residues of other nuts in our products.

Nut / Seed