OMAHA — ConAgra Foods, Inc. said it has transitioned its Lofthouse Cookies main bakery in Ogden, Utah, into a nut-free facility.
“Lofthouse Cookies’ transition to a nut-free facility is welcome news for cookie lovers everywhere,” said William Miller, senior brand manager for Lofthouse Cookies. “We know that nut allergies are a constant concern for millions of Americans, and we’re glad this move will allow them to choose Lofthouse Cookies with confidence.”
While 90% of Lofthouse Cookies current product offerings are made without nuts, the company said the move to a nut-free facility reduces the potential for inadvertent cross-contact with nut containing products, which is important for those suffering from nut allergies. As part of the transition, Lofthouse Cookies’ nut-based offerings, which include peanut butter cookies and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, will shift to a bakery in South Beloit, Ill., that already produces nut-based products. The transition will not affect the recipes for any current Lofthouse Cookies products, the company said.
In addition to the transition of the facility, ConAgra said it will begin placing a “Manufactured in a Nut Free Facility” statement on Lofthouse Cookies packaging. Additional in-store signs also will alert consumers to the transition.
Founded in 1994, Lofthouse Foods primarily produces cookies that are sold to the in-store bakeries of major U.S. grocers and mass merchandisers. Ralcorp acquired Lofthouse in January 2002. ConAgra acquired Lofthouse as part of its acquisition of Ralcorp in 2013.
