Fry's Cocoa

[misseditbythatmuch]

Fry's is a brand of Cocoa that is sold in Canada (and possibly other countries). I recently have been trying to figure out if it is gluten-free, so I have been reading labels.

Initially figuring this out was confusing. One of my sisters has a can of this cocoa which says that it may contain traces of wheat (and may also mention other allergens). My parents have a can of it that says it may contain traces of milk (but does not mention wheat). I just recently bought a can of it that has no mention of traces of allergens. So what gives?

My mother phoned up Fry's and got the answer. It turns out that Fry's Cocoa is produced by at least three different suppliers. So, though the cans look nearly the same, they have been made at different facilities. The can my sister has was made at a place where wheat cross-contamination could happen. The cans that my parents and I have don't have this problem.

So, one product, three different cans, two of the products with different allergy alerts and one with none. Always read the label!.

Geoff

[Chicklet]

Oh, how annoying. I stopped using Fry's because of the warning of being made in a facility with wheat.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for taking the time to post that. It serves as a great reminder that we should always read labels, as ingredients and (in this case) manufacturing practices can and do change.

[misseditbythatmuch]

It also shows that it can be worth it to phone up the number provided on the label.

For that, it may be hit or miss. In some cases, the person you talk to may be very helpful and informative. In other cases, unfortunately, they may not have a clue of what you're talking about.

[num1habsfan]

Oh, weird. I have never seen a can with warnings on them...ever! Also have never been glutened (and have used a lot of recipes that need cocoa. Plus somewhere I seen a list saying that Frye's was safe, hmm...I don't remember what list or from where, I re-write everything into my "gluten-free bible".

[misseditbythatmuch]

Well, if the cans you have used have never had warnings about wheat on them, they are OK (according to Fry's customer service number).

Fry's may use multiple suppliers simultaneously, or they may just switch suppliers occasionally. The three cans of cocoa I mention in my original post were bought at different times. It is possible that Fry's had one supplier when my sister bought her cocoa, another one when my parents bought their cocoa, and yet a different one when I bought mine. We don't know.

[num1habsfan]

Well, if the cans you have used have never had warnings about wheat on them, they are OK (according to Fry's customer service number).

Fry's may use multiple suppliers simultaneously, or they may just switch suppliers occasionally. The three cans of cocoa I mention in my original post were bought at different times. It is possible that Fry's had one supplier when my sister bought her cocoa, another one when my parents bought their cocoa, and yet a different one when I bought mine. We don't know.

Sheesh, way to confuse a Celiac, hey??

Still is going to make me double-check anytime I buy a can or use someone else's cocoa, that's for sure.

[Felidae]

I guess the Fry's cocoa made in the prairies is fine. I too, have never seen a warning on a can. I've been using Fry's for as long as I can remember. I'm sure glad they are safe here!

Thanks for the info.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

That is very interesting. Thank you for posting!

[lorka150]

Fry's Cocoa in the small canister is gluten-free, casein-free and made in a gluten-free/CF facility. The large canister sold at Costco may contain milk ingredients. That is what they told me over Christmas, when I ran out of cocoa and was confused that Costco's was different.

[Felidae]

I take back what I said, that Fry's cocoa in the prairies is gluten-free. Okay the small cans are gluten-free. The large cans sold at Costco say right on the label, "may contain wheat."

[Chicklet]

Well mine was bought in Alberta from Safeway and was a small can. Sorry.

[allergymom]

Thanks...this was great info to find. We have just found a Frys cocoa that may contain milk and my sister has one with no warnings. Mine came from Costco and we've had to get rid of it. My daughter has a severe milk allergy and my mother-in-law is celiac. We now know it is possible to purchase cocoa at a grocery store. We all know specialty stores come with a special price!!

[2Boys4Me]

On a semi-related note Nestle Hot Chocolate mix (50 envelope packets in a box) now has a "may contain wheat" disclaimer on it. I checked it at both Costco and Superstore and the boxes had the may contain, but the canister did not. Cadbury was off limits last time I checked, but the PC ingredients seem safe.

[solitaire]

Hi I'm a Canadian temporarily living in the US while a family member goes through treatment for health issues.

Can anyone in Canada help me out by sharing their copy of the Fry's Cocoa recipe for CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE?

The recipe has been in countless recipe booklets given out for free in groceries. I left Canada without it.

I really don't have the time to experiment with a new recipe and that one worked perfect for me. I'm already spending countless hours figuring out where to find Dutch processed cocoa in the US.

Thanks in advance!

From one homesick Canadian!

[gollygee]

Fry's is a brand of Cocoa that is sold in Canada (and possibly other countries). I recently have been trying to figure out if it is gluten-free, so I have been reading labels.

Initially figuring this out was confusing. One of my sisters has a can of this cocoa which says that it may contain traces of wheat (and may also mention other allergens). My parents have a can of it that says it may contain traces of milk (but does not mention wheat). I just recently bought a can of it that has no mention of traces of allergens. So what gives?

My mother phoned up Fry's and got the answer. It turns out that Fry's Cocoa is produced by at least three different suppliers. So, though the cans look nearly the same, they have been made at different facilities. The can my sister has was made at a place where wheat cross-contamination could happen. The cans that my parents and I have don't have this problem.

So, one product, three different cans, two of the products with different allergy alerts and one with none. Always read the label!.

Geoff

DON'T BUY FRY'S COCOA! My son had a violent reaction to Fry's the other day - quite a surprise because we'd been using this brand for years.  The product had the new packaging with the red band around the top warning against milk, but there is no mention of possible wheat contamination or even the ambiguous "natural and artifical flavoring".  I spoke to the company, went through 3 levels of their customer service- they were concerned whether or not he had needed medical attention, but feel no responsibility to notify people of the likelihood that there is gluten in this cocoa powder that will make a great number of people very ill.  I would not trust this company's labeling AT ALL - sometimes they label for wheat, sometimes for other allergens, which gives the impression that if they only list milk, that the product is clear of other allergens (that the company themselves consider in their 'Top 5") if the ingredient list is clear... VERY MISLEADING!!

[psawyer]

This topic is four years old, and information may be out of date.

In both Canada and the US, wheat is an allergen whose presence must, by law, be clearly disclosed.

Open Original Shared Link

The updated Canadian rules require disclosure of ALL gluten sources. In the US, only wheat is required by law, but most manufacturers voluntarily disclose all gluten sources.