Spangler Candy's Commitment to Celiac Safety
Spangler Candy Company, the maker of Dum Dums, has a strong and clear allergen control program. They take significant steps to ensure their products are free from gluten, which is essential for those with celiac disease. This goes beyond simply not using gluten-containing ingredients; it extends to the manufacturing process itself.
How Spangler Prevents Cross-Contamination
For a food product to be truly safe for celiacs, the manufacturer must also prevent cross-contact, which is the unintentional transfer of gluten to a gluten-free food. Spangler achieves this through several key measures:
- Dedicated Equipment: All Dum Dums products are manufactured on dedicated equipment, meaning the machinery is not shared with any products containing wheat, barley, or rye. This eliminates the most common factory-based source of cross-contamination.
- Supplier Requirements: The company requires its suppliers to provide ingredients that are free of major allergens and gluten. They receive and evaluate allergen assessment sheets to verify this status.
- Employee Training: Spangler maintains training programs to ensure all employees are aware of proper allergen handling procedures.
- Annual Audits: A dedicated food safety team audits the allergen material control program each year.
All Dum Dums Flavors Are Celiac-Safe
One of the most reassuring aspects for celiacs is that this commitment to safety applies to the entire range of Dum Dums lollipops, including the classic Original Mix and the ever-elusive Mystery Flavor. Unlike other brands where certain flavors or seasonal products might differ in their manufacturing process, Spangler's policy covers all standard Dum Dums. This includes special holiday varieties like Bunny Pops and Swirls. The consistency of their manufacturing process across the entire product line gives celiacs the confidence that they can enjoy any Dum Dum without worry. This is a critical distinction, as some brands have different allergen statements for different products or seasonal items.
Understanding the Difference: Gluten-Free vs. Celiac-Safe
It is important for individuals with celiac disease to understand that while all celiac-safe products are gluten-free, not all gluten-free products are celiac-safe. This distinction hinges entirely on the risk of cross-contamination.
Comparison Table: Gluten-Free vs. Celiac-Safe Manufacturing
| Feature | Generic "Gluten-Free" Claim | Celiac-Safe (Spangler's Approach) |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Avoids gluten-containing ingredients like wheat, barley, and rye. | Same, avoids gluten ingredients. |
| Manufacturing Equipment | May be produced on shared equipment with gluten-containing products. | Manufactured on dedicated, allergen-free equipment. |
| Cross-Contamination Risk | Significant risk of cross-contact from shared lines, surfaces, or airborne flour. | Minimal to no risk of factory-level cross-contact due to dedicated lines. |
| FDA Labeling | May meet the FDA's voluntary labeling standard of <20 ppm gluten. | Exceeds standard expectations by eliminating cross-contact at the source. |
| Safety for Celiacs | Potentially unsafe due to invisible contamination. | Highly safe due to stringent controls and dedicated processes. |
Potential Sources of Hidden Gluten in Candy
Beyond the manufacturing facility, celiacs must also be aware of potential sources of gluten. While Spangler's Dum Dums are safe, other candies may contain hidden gluten from sources that might not be obvious to a casual consumer.
Common sources of hidden gluten in candy include:
- Malt Flavoring: Malt is derived from barley and is not gluten-free.
- Brown Rice Syrup: This can be contaminated with barley enzymes during production unless explicitly labeled gluten-free.
- Food Starches: Modified food starch can be derived from wheat. Unless specified as from a gluten-free source like corn or potato, it should be considered a risk.
- Processing Aids: Even small amounts of processing aids or release agents can contain gluten.
- Non-Dedicated Production Lines: The most significant risk is shared equipment, which is what makes Spangler's approach so reliable.
For those with celiac disease, verifying the manufacturer's practices is always the best approach. The Celiac Disease Foundation often updates its list of safe products, and checking resources like Beyond Celiac can provide further insight into the risks of cross-contact. The Dum Dums website is also an excellent source of information, where they directly address their allergen statements.
Conclusion: A Clear Yes for Celiacs
Given Spangler Candy Company's robust manufacturing protocols, including the use of dedicated, allergen-free equipment for all Dum Dums, these lollipops are indeed a safe choice for celiacs. This provides welcome reassurance for anyone managing this strict dietary requirement. However, this article applies only to Dum Dums specifically manufactured by the Spangler Candy Company. Always check the packaging to verify that it was produced by Spangler to be certain of its celiac-safe status. A product that has been re-bagged or repackaged by a different company could present a cross-contamination risk if not handled in a dedicated facility. For more detailed information on preventing cross-contact at home and when dining out, consult authoritative resources like Beyond Celiac.
