Talking Allergies

I noticed they have signs up advertising that they use sunflower oil now, so I contacted them to see if we could feed our little fry-monster there. I am really impressed with the thorough answer I received. Though it seems Alexander will remain New York Fries-less, hopefully the info will prove useful to some of you!

(NYF reply first, with my original message below. Please note that my inquiry was specific to ds's allergies, so you may need to investigate for other allergens.)

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From: Angie Venzon
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 3:01 PM
Subject: RE: Allergy question


Hi Marla,
Each NYF unit cuts whole fresh potatoes daily and the potatoes are soaked in fresh cold water with no additives. The Fries are cooked in non-hydrogenated sunflower oil and lightly salted before serving.

The NYF menu includes cheese sauce on the side or as part of a meal such as the Works and Veggie Works. Cheese curds are part of the Poutine meal. The gravy which is also served as a side or as part of the Poutine includes milk ingredients.

The Cajun and California Seasonings, and Chili are manufactured in plants that are peanut and tree nut free. The NYF Hot Dog does not include any nuts but may contain traces of milk and soy. The Hot Dog Bun is manufactured in a plant and on a line that contains sesame seeds although our product does not include them.
For your information, when the fryers are shipped to our units, the inside surface is coated in peanut oil. After installation, the fryers are boiled out and then filled with sunflower oil. NYF procedures call for the frying oil to be filtered daily and the fryers to be cleaned. Additionally, the fryers are boiled out every few weeks.

It is important to note that our units are not designated peanut or nut free; therefore, customers or employees may bring all food products to our counters or into our locations. Please be aware that the possibility of cross contamination does exist.



I hope you find this information helpful.



Regards,



Angie Venzon
Director of Purchasing
NEW YORK FRIES and SOUTH ST. BURGER CO.
1220 Yonge St. Suite 400
Toronto, ON M4T 1W1
T: 416-963-5005
F: 416-963-4920
www.newyorkfries.com
www.southstburger.com


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From: Tyler & Marla
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 2:29 PM
To: Daciana Sas
Subject: Allergy question


Hello,

Now that you've started using Sunflower oil, I think my son (who has food allergies) might be able to eat at your restaurant! However, before we do so, I wanted to ask you for information about ingredients in your products, as my son is allergic to peanuts, eggs, milk, and soy. (Peanut and egg are more severe for him)

Please provide whatever information you can to help us make a careful decision. It would be exciting to be able to give him a treat while we're out, but not if it's too risky.

Thank you for your help,

Marla Smith

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*Son, 5 years old: Asperger's, allergic to eggs, peanuts, and mustard seed (outgrew dairy and soy)
*Son, 23 months old
*Hubby: allergic to cats and trees (non-specified types)
*Self: allergic to penicillin

Thanks for the info!

_________________
15-year-old son: peanuts, nuts, raw egg whites, asthmatic
Self: allergic rhinitis, fragrance/chemical sensitivities, oral allergy syndrome

the units are coated in peanut oil? why would they do that?

That's exactly what I was thinking. What an odd thing to do....

K.

_________________
Karen, proud Mom of
- DS1 (12 yrs): allergic to cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, potatoes, some legumes, some fish, pumpkin seeds; OAS
- DS2 (1o yrs): ana. to dairy, eggs, peanuts; asthma

Here is answer I got from NY Fries:

_________________
Mary