Applegate is a company who clearly prioritizes eliminating cross-contamination of allergens as evidenced by this statement:
“Every state-of-the-art policy and procedure is adhered to strictly to prevent cross-contamination. Although you will find the processes not so much art as industry.
That’s at the top of our commitment.
You can feel confident that Applegate products are manufactured in accordance with specific operating procedures to ensure that there is no contact with allergenic ingredients.
Not ever.
That’s more or less the very reason we exist when you think about it – to bring you food you never have to worry about.
Our facility employs a system called HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Program. This ensures strict “Good Manufacturing Practices” which include environmental cleaning and employee hygiene procedures.
HACCP is required by the USDA to prevent the growth and spread of pathogenic bacteria (those that can cause food borne illness), but it also prevents contamination from non-pathogenic bacteria such as spoilage organisms.
Each program is monitored and verified daily to ensure all procedures are followed.
Our plants have strict pathogen monitoring programs to ensure that all of our packaging rooms are cold, clean and free of harmful bacteria.”
Their sausages are free of casein, dairy, and gluten (as well as peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and soy), which makes them an easy meal option. As you can imagine, I was so excited, I immediately ran out to Whole Foods to see what I could find.
As much as I wanted to buy every product of theirs, I stuck to one frozen item because we were leaving for vacation in a few days.
Pork breakfast sausages in which the ingredients are simply: pork, water, cane syrup, and spices. No fillers, no weird crap.
And what did the little man think? Well, just look at the photos. 🙂
He’s a fan, so I’m a fan (although technically I haven’t even tried them yet).
If you’ve bought applegate products before which do you like/recommend? I am eying the deli meat next I think…
applegate turkey bacon…..BLT ‘s
…….yum
We are huge Applegate fans! Deli meat is great and if you watch Mambo Sprouts website, coupons are frequently available. We also really like the GF chicken nuggets (frozen) and keep the large bag at all times for quick meal options.
I keep a box of their chicken nuggets in our freezer for a quick protein for Finley. At my grocery store they’re $4.69 – I’d be curious to see how their prices vary across the country. Anyways, we’ve also had their uncured pepperoni and hotdogs. It’s all been amazing! I don’t think my grocery store carries the pork sausages you tried, but I’ll look next time.
I switched from pescatarian to eating poultry recently and I think I have tried all the chicken and turkey Applegate products. The frozen turkey burgers are fantastic –super low sodium and like two ingredients if I recall. Maybe a tad dry if you don’t cook them well but you can fix it easily.
The deli meats — great. They even have turkey bologna and salami. Their herb turkey was a fave. Chicken and Turkey hot dogs (especially the organic) are terrific and so EASY. You can nuke them. You can even eat them cold. Lastly, their chicken/turkey sausage was really good and unique. I didnt try any of the breaded ones because gluten.
It was fun while it lasted, but it did’t last long. So glad you will now have so many easy options for meals. I bet that deli meat and hot dogs will be a lifesaver for the busy kiddo days. So easy to rip up a few slices of deli meat and throw in a salad or hippie bowl, roll up and dip in hummus, or obviously put them on a piece of toast.
Oh yeah and subscribe (with various emails) to the Applegate newsletter. Get great coupons about every other month and can print three per account.
Woo way to go applegate! So delicious!!
Their lunch meat is the only one I feel comfortable eating. Unlike most lunch meat it’s made of real ingredients!
I will only buy their lunch meat. It’s sliced right there and has no nitrates. So good to hear more good things!
I love Applegate Farms too! I have tried their sausages, gluten-free chicken nuggets, and gluten-free corn dogs. All are super yummy, but now I hope to try their deli meat too. Very good stuff and now I like them even more because of their dedication to their customers and keeping clean facilities. Maybe I should eat allergen-free all the time that way I know there was at least some cleaning done in the manufacturing process unlike the mainstream foods that get recalled all the time???
Great to know! Thanks. Applegate precooked deli or frozen meats are nice to have on hand for convenience.
We have been searching for an allergy safe cocoa powder for baking and I found reference to NOW products on the net somewhere – so I sent an email requesting further info on other allergens or cross contamination risk. I’m not exactly thrilled with the two line response I got and thought it was worth a share:
Hi Lindsey,
Peanut free facility. Yes, shared equipment and same facility for other allergens. Fortunately, our GMP certification and extensive cleaning of the machines between runs limits potential cross contamination with other allergens including corn, gluten, dairy, eggs, other nuts, soy, wheat, and other allergens. No cross contamination is expected to be occurring.
Sarah
NOW Product Information Group
Am I maybe being a bit sensitive (quite possible!), or could she have elaborated on the extensive cleaning procedures?
The deli meat is great! Whole Foods as coupons up now for them!
I am not on the meat eating train right now, but all 3 of my kids are, and their favorite breakfast sausage by a mile are both the turkey and pork applegate, as well as all their deli meats, cheeses. great company, great product. pricey and worth it!
Applegate’s Turkey Bacon is BOMB! lol. I also really like the deli meat. Its the cleanest deli meat I’ve been able to find.
Unless you were very specific asking about their sanitizing procedures this looks like an adequate response to a general allergen inquiry. However if your situations is similar to P’s and peanut dust= ER i would include that in your initial inquiry as well so they realize the seriousness and level of concern you are raising.
Applegate products are absolutely the best! For a change of pace with sliced turkey sandwich, their products is a perfect choice.
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