Pretzel manufacturer Snyder’s of Hanover announced is main pretzel production facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania has transitioned to a peanut-free facility in response for growing demand for snacks free of the common allergen.
According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), approximately three million people report allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, and the number of children living with peanut allergies appears to have tripled between 1997 and 2008. The rise in nut allergies among America's children has led some schools to eliminate their use of peanut products altogether and discourage children without peanut allergies from bringing peanut products to school.
Snyder’s pretzels now made in any of the company’s peanut-free facilities will have packaging clearly marked with a peanut-free icon and allergen information. Many of the products such as Pretzel Minis, Pretzel Sticks, Pretzel Snaps and Pretzel Rods already display the new allergen information and are on shelves now. Remaining products with updated graphics will be on store shelves by the end of the year. Nut-based pretzels such will be manufactured in a separate facility in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.