<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Following is a reply from the Cape Cod plant manager regarding a follow-up
question on contamination from sprayers.

Dear Sharon,

Thanks for your question.

At our company we actually salt the product at one location and then season
it above our packaging machines.  We purchase seasonings that are “reduced
salt” so we are able to do this.  Our seasoning equipment is found above
our packaging machines.  Again, the product arrives there already salted,
and then is seasoned.

We do have seasonings that contain gluten:  Firecracker BBQ and Sour Cream
& Chive.  The Sour Cream & Chive is actually in the process of being
discontinued here in the U.S.  We also have some seasonings that contain no
gluten but different allergens, ie: Dairy.  All of our seasonings are
applied using the same seasoning equipment.  However, all equipment used to
package product containing allergens is cleaned prior to use for packaging
of allergen free products or products containing different allergens.

I hope this is the information you were looking for!

Please feel free to email with additional questions.


Sincerely,


Martha Baker

Plant Manager

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003 12:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Product Ingredient Information Request

Thank you again for your thoughtful response. I received the following
question from a Celiac Disease list member in response to my posting
sharing your email.

"This is not meant to frighten you but thought it was something which could
be of concern and for which a manufacturer  of rice cakes told me may be a
source of cross-contamination.  The rice cake manufacturer told me that the
gluten is sprayed through the same sprayer as the salt.  Do you know if
their sprayers, that is if the gluten seasoning comes from the same sprayer
as the sprayer for salt or non-gluten seasoning?"

Could you please respond to this question? I would also appreciate your
understanding as to whether this concern is common industry practice, and
what your perspective, as someone knowledgeable about the production
process,  on the contamination issues.

Thanks again,

Sharon

Here is the text of the plant manager's original response that I posted
earlier.

The Salted, No Salt, Reduced Fat, Golden Russet, Dark Russet, Sea Salt
& Vinegar, and Nantucket Spice Potato Chips are gluten free.

Our Sour Cream & Chive and Firecracker BBQ contain gluten.

All our kettle fry products are packaged on common lines.  However, all
equipment used to package product containing allergens is cleaned prior
to use for packaging of allergen free products or products containing
different allergens.

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