Whats The Verdict On Utz Potato Chips?

[jasonD2]

They say gluten free - are they really safe?

[shopgirl]

Yes, they're safe. They're gluten-free as they say on the bag.

[jerseyangel]

They say gluten free - are they really safe?

They are gluten-free--they are also made on shared lines with gluten containing products. Some can handle that and some can't. I reacted to them.

[shopgirl]

They are gluten-free--they are also made on shared lines with gluten containing products. Some can handle that and some can't. I reacted to them.

Ah, I didn't know they were on shared lines. My apologies. I didn't have a problem with the few that I ate.

[jerseyangel]

Ah, I didn't know they were on shared lines. My apologies. I didn't have a problem with the few that I ate.

There's no need to apologize--they are gluten-free and it does say so on the bag. I just wanted to let the op know just in case he had to look out for that sort of thing. Many people eat them with no problems.

[jasonD2]

got this email from Utz - they are made in a dedicated facility

Thank you for your email and phone message. Yes, our potato chips are gluten free as listed and no possibility of cross contamination as the entire plant is gluten free. Our packages will state if there is any chance of cross contamination.

Sincerely,

Pam

[modiddly16]

I eat them with no issues. I've also been in the factory numerous times and can attest that they really do a good job on some lines with avoiding cross contamination.

[jerseyangel]

It's great that they now use dedicated lines--that was not the case last time I checked.

[shopgirl]

Great news. When I do eat potato chips, these are my favorite. They actually taste like potatoes instead of just grease and salt.

Good for Utz.

[jerseyangel]

Only because I reacted to them before, I emailed them myself as I was tempted to give them another try. This is the first response I received:

Thank you for your question. Mainly all of our potato chips are indeed Gluten Free, with the exception of the Kettle Classic Salt & Malt Vinegar Chips, as specified on all of our labels and on our website. We have 4 manufacturing plants, one is for corn items, one is all of our pretzels, one is all chips, and the other is non-kosher items. Gluten never comes in contact with our potato chip items. We are audited by a third party auditing firm. The company audits our four plants for food safety, security, adherence to good manufacturing practices, and allergen management which included our claims of gluten free status. We have consistently received high marks for our efforts. In addition, we regularly monitor our seasoning suppliers for their adherence to good manufacturing practices, and allergen management. To validate our gluten free claims, we also submit samples to an independent, globally recognized, third party lab. To date there have been no findings of gluten contamination.

Thank you and hopefully this answers your question.

Stepfanie Marshall

Technical Services Technician

Utz Quality Foods, Inc

It actually did not, so I inquired further, and this is the result:

Let me clarify, they are not made on dedicated lines. We do run some of our Natural Chips and Mystic chips using the same equipment. However, we do thoroughly clean and sanitize between runs. We start out with plain chips and then switch over to seasoned chip items. Once a line starts a seasoned chip, it stays on that chip all day. We also do not use air lines for cleaning while product is running. Gluten never intentionally comes in contact with any item.

Thank you!

Stepfanie Marshall

Technical Services Technician

Utz Quality Foods, Inc

Just a heads up for the more sensitive among us

[MaryJones2]

We don't have Utz in our area but I do eat Kettle Chips (the ones with few ingredients like sea salt or salt and pepper) all the time with no issues. If you react to Utz you might want to give them a try.

[Tigercat17]

Only because I reacted to them before, I emailed them myself as I was tempted to give them another try. This is the first response I received:

Thank you for your question. Mainly all of our potato chips are indeed Gluten Free, with the exception of the Kettle Classic Salt & Malt Vinegar Chips, as specified on all of our labels and on our website. We have 4 manufacturing plants, one is for corn items, one is all of our pretzels, one is all chips, and the other is non-kosher items. Gluten never comes in contact with our potato chip items. We are audited by a third party auditing firm. The company audits our four plants for food safety, security, adherence to good manufacturing practices, and allergen management which included our claims of gluten free status. We have consistently received high marks for our efforts. In addition, we regularly monitor our seasoning suppliers for their adherence to good manufacturing practices, and allergen management. To validate our gluten free claims, we also submit samples to an independent, globally recognized, third party lab. To date there have been no findings of gluten contamination.

Thank you and hopefully this answers your question.

Stepfanie Marshall

Technical Services Technician

Utz Quality Foods, Inc

It actually did not, so I inquired further, and this is the result:

Let me clarify, they are not made on dedicated lines. We do run some of our Natural Chips and Mystic chips using the same equipment. However, we do thoroughly clean and sanitize between runs. We start out with plain chips and then switch over to seasoned chip items. Once a line starts a seasoned chip, it stays on that chip all day. We also do not use air lines for cleaning while product is running. Gluten never intentionally comes in contact with any item.

Thank you!

Stepfanie Marshall

Technical Services Technician

Utz Quality Foods, Inc

Just a heads up for the more sensitive among us

Thanks Patti for clarifying this! I know I am a sensitive one also, so I probably won't be able to eat them. After reading everyone's posts about these for the last year, I was too afraid to even try them.

I just stick with Lays Stax & Xochitl Corn Chips. I used to eat chips everyday before going gluten free, but now I don't get those cravings anymore. I used to be a junk food addict! I eat so healthy now -I'll probably live to 125 years old!

[kwys]

I just tried the UTZ Gluten Free Pretzel rings and reacted to them. I know the manufacturer said that they keep their chip and pretzel line separate, but do they have a separate line for their Gluten Free and non Gluten Free pretzels?

[kareng]

1 hour ago, kwys said:

I just tried the UTZ Gluten Free Pretzel rings and reacted to them. I know the manufacturer said that they keep their chip and pretzel line separate, but do they have a separate line for their Gluten Free and non Gluten Free pretzels?

 

 

The response was from 2011.  They may have changed practices in the last 4-5 years.  You might want to check with the company.