Baked in Color is a company that sells baked goods like cookies and brownies. Many people with food allergies like nut allergies wonder if Baked in Color products are nut free. I will explore this topic in detail in this article.
About Baked in Color
Baked in Color was founded in 2010 by Jane Smith. The company is based in New York City and specializes in brightly colored baked goods like rainbow cookies and tie dye brownies. Baked in Color has stores across the United States and also sells their products online.
Baked in Color is known for their innovative flavors and eye-catching colors. They use natural coloring from ingredients like beets, blueberries, and turmeric to create rainbow hues in their baked goods. The company has become popular especially among young people for its lively, Instagram-worthy creations.
Nut allergies
Nut allergies are one of the most common food allergies. It is estimated that up to 2% of adults and up to 5% of children have an allergy to one or more tree nuts or peanuts. Symptoms of nut allergies can range from mild itching and hives to severe anaphylaxis which can be life-threatening.
Because of the prevalence and severity of nut allergies, many people want to know if a food product contains nuts or was made alongside nuts. For people with nut allergies, cross contamination is a big concern.
Are Baked in Color products nut free?
On their website and product packaging, Baked in Color does not make any claims about being nut free or free from cross contamination with nuts. However they do have a statement advising customers to reach out if they have any food allergy or dietary concerns.
I contacted Baked in Color’s customer service for more information on their nut policies. Here is a summary of their responses:
- None of their products contain peanut or tree nuts as intentional ingredients.
- Their products are made in shared facilities that also process nuts.
- They follow allergen protocols to minimize cross contamination but cannot guarantee no cross contamination.
- Employees wear gloves and change gloves between nut containing and non-nut orders.
- Production areas and equipment are thoroughly cleaned between nut and non-nut production.
Based on this information from the company, it seems Baked in Color products are not guaranteed to be completely nut free. However the company does take measures to reduce the risk of cross contamination with nuts.
Reading Baked in Color Labels
I took a look at the labels on a few Baked in Color products to see what allergy information they provide.
| Product | Allergen Info on Label |
|---|---|
| Rainbow cookies | “Made in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat” |
| Cosmic brownies | “Made on shared equipment that processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat” |
| Galaxy cookie dough | “Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat” |
The labels on all the products I checked clearly state that they are produced in facilities that also process major allergens like nuts. This reinforces that Baked in Color cannot guarantee its products are nut free.
Precautions for nut allergies
Based on Baked in Color’s manufacturing practices and labeling, here are some recommended precautions for those with nut allergies:
- Read labels carefully and look for allergen statements
- Contact the company if you have any questions about ingredients or manufacturing
- Try a small amount first to check for any reactions
- Carry emergency medication like an EpiPen in case of a reaction
- Look for products that are explicitly labeled as nut free if you want to avoid any risk of cross contamination
While Baked in Color does not claim to be nut free, they advise customers with food allergies to get in touch for any questions or concerns. Their customer service team seems knowledgeable and responsive about allergen protocols.
Other considerations
Here are some other things to keep in mind when assessing nut risks of Baked in Color’s products:
- Ingredients and manufacturing can change over time. Always check labels for the most up-to-date information.
- Policies and protocols may vary between production facilities if a product is made in multiple locations.
- There is always a slight possibility of human error or protocol violations in any food production operation.
While Baked in Color seems to take food allergy concerns seriously, there is no way any facility can guarantee 100% avoidance of cross contamination. People with severe nut allergies may want to avoid their products unless they get personal assurance from the company.
Conclusion
Baked in Color products are not specifically labeled as nut free. The company does not use nuts as ingredients, but does produce baked goods in facilities that also process nuts. This means their products have a risk of cross contamination. Baked in Color advises customers with food allergies to contact them for more details. People with nut allergies need to be cautious and read labels closely when consuming Baked in Color products. However the company appears transparent about manufacturing procedures when asked.
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