Dairy-, nut- and soy-free chocolate bars cater to consumers with food allergies and intolerances
Millions of America have been forced to live in a chocolate-less world due to their food allergies and food intolerances. That world has changed forever, thanks to Schiller Park, Ill.-based Enjoy Life Foods. Food-allergic children and adults need no longer miss out when it comes to enjoying the rich, creamy, irresistible taste of chocolate with the launch of allergy-friendly chocolate boom CHOCO boom bars, the first dairy-, nut- and soy-free chocolate bars, available nationally at Whole Foods Market and other select natural food and grocery stores.
More than 12 million Americans have food allergies, and diagnoses are on the rise. Eight foods, including wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish, account for 90 percent of all food-allergic reactions in the U.S. Approximately 3.3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts and another 30 to 50 million are lactose intolerant. Safety concerns around cross-contamination or the use of dairy-based ingredients cause people with these conditions to avoid most mass-produced chocolate until now.
The bars are available in three varieties boom CHOCO boom dairy-free rice milk (230 calories, 17g of fat, 0mg cholesterol, 25mg sodium, 21g carbohydrates, 1g of fiber and 1g of protein); boom CHOCO boom dairy-free rice milk with crispy rice (220 calories, 15g of fat, 0mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 22g carbohydrates, 1g fiber and 1g of protein); and boom CHOCO boom dark chocolate. Dairy-free rice milk is used as opposed to cows milk, and the bars are made in a dedicated nut- and gluten-free facility so most everyone can enjoy them.
Until now, most packaged chocolate bars were strictly off limits to anyone with food allergies because of the ingredients used and/or the prevalence of nut warnings, says Nancy Curby, director of marketing for Enjoy Life Foods. Now, food-allergic chocolate lovers throughout the U.S. can safely enjoy the chocolaty taste sensation of boom CHOCO boom bars and easily find them where they regularly shop.
Suggested retail price is $1.79 to $1.99 for a 1.4-ounce bar.