Gluten-free and allergen-free often go hand in hand when creating food products for the world to enjoy. But what does it mean to be allergen-free as a co-packer? There are a lot of things to consider when creating a new product or making changes to an existing one.
In today’s market, having a product that is specialized and safe for many people with dietary restrictions will be recognized and valued. As consumer demand for safer, cleaner, and more inclusive food options grows, so does the need for food manufacturing that’s not just gluten-free but also allergen-free.
Working with an allergen-free co-packer like GF Blends can guarantee your product will be free of the top 9 allergens, making your dry baking mix, flour blend, or vegan baking mix safer for your consumers.
How Widespread Are Food Allergies and What Are They?
Food allergies are more common than you might think. There are upwards of 33 million people in the U.S. alone who have food allergies. That’s close to 10% of the population that has to read labels, understand packaging, and take actions that might feel risky when it comes to navigating their health.
There are 9 major food allergens that we are required to clearly label and mark on all products and goods. The top nine allergens include:
- Milk or Dairy
- Eggs
- Fish
- Wheat
- Tree Nuts
- Soybeans
- Crustacean Shellfish
- Peanuts
- Sesame
Why Do Allergy-Free Products Matter?
Today’s consumers are reading labels more closely than ever, and for those with food allergies, it’s not a preference – it’s a lifesaving decision. Offering products made in an allergen-free facility gives your brand a competitive edge and builds trust with a loyal audience.
Whether you’re launching a line of top-9-free snacks or a gluten-free product that also avoids dairy and soy, choosing an allergen-conscious co-packer means fewer risks and more peace of mind for you and your customers. Consumer safety should be the number one priority. When paired with a quality product that tastes good, that impacts the longevity of your bottom line more than any other factor.
Many times, consumers, particularly those with allergies and celiac disease, are picking products that are made in dedicated facilities and spaces. They might try a product made in a facility that contains wheat and other allergens, but if they experience any kind of reaction or feeling, even if it wasn’t your product that caused it, your product goes on their never-again purchase list.
Those who need gluten- and allergen-free products read every label and every ingredient twice just to be sure it’s safe.
How Does Allergen-Free Work at Food Co-Packer GF Blends?
If you’re used to working with gluten-free facilities, you already know the basics: separate equipment, ingredient vetting, cleaning protocols, and regular testing. Following SQF certifications can also ensure that your co-packer meets high-quality food and safety standards.
At GF Blends, all ingredients are tested for gluten. All products are made on dedicated equipment and are cleaned and sanitized regularly in accordance with our operating procedures and environmental monitoring program. We have trusted suppliers for ingredients and dedicated equipment to keep everything gluten- and allergen-free.
SQF requirements mean we have strict labeling processes and ingredient storage requirements. We follow these protocols to ensure that there is no cross-contamination for your product.
Gluten and Allergen-Free is Our Specialty
We know a thing or two about gluten- and allergen-free co-packing; it’s our specialty! As a gluten-free food packer, we have produced millions of pounds of dry goods products and served hundreds of customers over the years. We understand the importance of high-quality and trustworthy products, from both the consumer and the producer perspectives (over 45 people in our extended family have celiac disease). At GF Blends, we specialize in dry blends, which include gluten-free baking mixes, flours, scone mixes, cinnamon rolls, bread mixes, seasonings, and more.
At GF Blends, we don’t use gluten or any of the top 9 allergens in our White Line facilities, including peanuts. Having one of our facilities completely allergen-free ensures a safe, trustworthy environment for every product we co-pack.
While we do use some allergens in our Red Line facility, we do not use gluten, soybeans, peanuts, fish, or crustacean shellfish. If you aren’t quite sure which facility your product would need to be produced in, give us a call, and we can talk more about what you are creating.
We make it as easy as possible to get started. You can visit our website to submit your NDA, which means we keep your business and recipe details private right from the beginning.
When you work with GF Blends, our goal is to provide you with competitive pricing and options as you expand your capacity to produce and serve the market. We will work with you and take care of everything from sourcing ingredients and packaging your product to getting it shipped where you need it distributed.
GF Blends has been serving and helping gluten-free food producers for over 15 years. Ready to bring your product to the world? We are here to help you on your co-packing journey, and you can take the first step today.
If you have any questions, you can call us at 509-375-0909 or contact us to schedule a time to talk with our team.
We sign NDAs with all of our clients to protect their information, recipes, and proprietary processes and needs. We understand how important it is to keep your information and recipes safe. If you haven’t signed one yet, this process is simple. You’ll fill out the form on our website, receive an email with a link to the NDA, and sign it.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you and seeing what we can co-pack together!
