It’s that time of year again to say, “I love you” through sweet treats like conversation hearts, decadent chocolates and anything that can be shaped into a heart or rose. While expressing your fondness for a loved one is always encouraged, think twice before wrapping up some sweets for your sweetie, you never know what allergens could be hiding in these candy-coated sentiments.
Let’s begin with the Valentine’s Day classic: a box of assorted chocolates. From the bow that encloses the box to the red satin lid, you can’t get any gushier than sending chocolates to a loved one. However, lurking beneath the shiny, heart-shaped box top is a food allergen haven. Tree nuts, peanuts, soy, milk, eggs and wheat can be blended into these confectioneries. From almond and cashew clusters to chocolate coated peanuts and toffee made with wheat, nearly three-fourths of the Top Eight allergens can be found in one box of chocolates. Clearly, one must tread cautiously when selecting boxes of chocolate if food allergies are a concern.
Then there’s conversation hearts; nothing goes better with February 14th than expressive, sugary hearts. These candies can be a lot of fun and help present your feelings in a sweet little heart but they can also be a safe choice for people with wheat allergies or Celiac disease. Most companies that produce candy hearts verify online or on the package that their hearts are gluten-free, you should always contact the manufacturer to be safe.
You could also indulge your love with a hug and a kiss the Hershey’s way with their individually wrapped chocolates. Beware of milk and soy allergies, as these chocolates often contain both. Soy and milk are also found in many other chocolate treats like M&M’s, truffles, and chocolate-covered strawberries, so be cautious when gifting these treats.
While an ingredient list may look safe, some confectionery manufacturing plants may also process tree nuts, peanuts and other common allergens as ingredients for other products. While they are not directly included in the candy, trace amounts of these allergens can contaminate the product and elicit an allergic reaction upon consumption. To avoid this less-than-romantic fate, be sure to examine ingredient lists and contain statements to verify which allergens may have contacted the sweets. Do a little extra research before February 14th to look into smaller businesses that specialize in allergen-free candies or look into local shops that may have Valentine’s Day gifts that don’t involve food.
There’s clearly more than one treat that can convey your feelings this Valentine’s day, but remember to refer to ingredient statements to avoid allergic reactions when selecting a sentimental sweet. If food allergies and Valentine’s Day is a concern, play it safe and head for the floral department or jewelry store to eliminate any chance of accidental exposure.
