I sent an email to the producer of the beloved candies, and below is their response.

February 2, 2012
All of our Sweethearts & Conversation Hearts products are produced and packed on dedicated lines.  For all our products, our allergy information statement is:  Processed in a Facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat, eggs and soy.  Our dedicated lines are monitored closely.  Hope this is helpful.
Thank you.
Fran
Consumer Relations 

Here is the rest of their gluten free candy list from NECCO:

Here’s a fun history of the Sweethearts Conversation Hearts from the NECCO website:

Today’s best-selling Valentine candy — Sweethearts Conversation Hearts–the pastel sugar hearts with the quirky sayings, were as much a part of your childhood as they are for today’s kids. New England Confectionery Company manufactures over 8 billion hearts each year to keep up with demand for this American icon.

Still it’s hard to believe that the concept behind today’s Conversation Hearts got its start when Abraham Lincoln was still President. Mottoes seemed to have come into prominence with cockles, a small crisp candy made of sugar and flour formed in the shape of a cockle or scallop shell. The early cockles contained mottoes, which were printed on thin colored paper and rolled up inside.

In the 1860′s, when Daniel Chase, the brother of New England Confectionery Company’s founder, Oliver Chase, began printing sayings on the candy. He experimented first with hand tools, and then devised a machine in which the cloth was replaced with a felt roller pad, moistened with vegetable coloring, usually red, which pressed against the die. The die printed the words on the lozenge paste and the double purpose machine cut the lozenges.

Grown-ups were entertained and passed the hearts around at parties. For weddings, there were wedding-day lozenges with humorously foreboding prophecies such as: “Married in satin, Love will not be lasting” “Married in Pink, He will take to drink” and “Married in white, You have chosen right.”

The present day Sweethearts® Conversation Heart dates back to 1902. Back then, besides hearts, they also produced various shapes such as postcards, baseballs, horseshoes and watches.

In the early 1990′s, New England Confectionery Company’s Vice President Walter Marshall decided to update the sayings each year and retire some. His first –Fax Me–created a lot of attention from Sweetheart fans. As a result, each year we receive hundreds of suggestions from romantics, candy lovers and school kids for new sayings. From old tech, “Call Me” to new tech, “E-mail Me,” Sweethearts® keep the pulse on the heartbeat of the nation.

Conversation Hearts have been used in various ingenious ways over the years– to propose marriage, to teach children statistics and reading, to decorate cakes, and as borders for frames.

Now, for the first time in its 145 year history, the New England Confectionery Company is unveiling a new generation of Sweethearts® that includes all new expressions selected entirely by the American public, along with a re-formulation of the iconic candies made in the USA.

New Sayings & Colors
For the first time in 145 years, Sweethearts® discarded all its previous phrases and asked the American public to tell us how they express their love. The 2010 Sweethearts® are featured in bright and bolder new colors.

New Flavors & Texture
All new flavors for 2010 Sweethearts® include Strawberry, Green Apple, Lemon, Grape, Orange and Blue Raspberry. The new Sweethearts® have been re-formulated to be softer and more fun to eat.

New Line Extensions & Innovation
Sweethearts® new line extensions include Sugar-Free, Dazzled Tarts, En Español and Chocolate. This is the first time the company has put a DAZZLED© finish on TARTS.

To meet the demand for its Conversation Hearts, New England Confectionery Company produces them from late February through mid-January of the following year. The entire production–about 100,000 pounds a day– sells out in just six weeks.

New! From the author of one of my very favorite gluten free resources, Cecelia’s Marketplace Gluten Free Shopping Guide, is this great new book called Cecelia’s Marketplace Easy 30 Day Gluten-Free Diet. This is a great way to begin a gluten free diet with no guesswork needed. Just follow the easy guides.

Dr. Mara Matison has created this 30 day plan, not as a weight loss diet, but to determine if gluten is negatively impacting your body. Step-by-step instructions, a 30 day gluten free menu plan, mini GF grocery guide, kitchen and cooking tips, and 30 delicious gluten free dinner recipes are all included in this beautiful book full of full color photos. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack and drink ideas are also included, along with possible symptoms you may be experiencing that could be attributed to gluten and testing options to check for celiac disease and gluten intolerance.

This really is an EASY way to begin a gluten free diet, get more ideas and recipes for your own gluten free cooking, or buy a copy for a friend or relative. Each Day’s menu includes a full day of meals and snacks, with the dinner recipe, photos, and of course the substitution list if you want to swap something out. Check marks next to each item indicate to refer to the gluten free shopping guide pages for specific brand ideas that are gluten free.

Starting a gluten free diet has never been easier. This book lays it all out for you! Here’s an example of what you’ll find on one of the thirty days:

Breakfast:
Banana Pineapple Smoothie (Recipe included)

Optional Snack:
Roasted Nuts (Gluten Free brands listed)

Lunch:
Turkey Sandwich with Potato Chips (GF brands listed for both items)

Optional Snack:
Apple Sauce

Dinner:
Stir-Fried Chicken & Vegetables in Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce with Brown Rice
(Recipe, Photo & GF brands listed)

Optional Snack:
Fresh Pineapple Slices

The author states in the beginning of the book that this plan is not for weight loss purposes, but that whole day sounds like many weight loss diet plan menus to me. I bet you would lose weight on this plan.

You’ll find other dinner recipes such as Shrimp Kebobs with Grilled Vegetables and Quinoa, Grilled Steak with Vegetables and Sweet Potato Fries, Chicken Pasta Primavera in Garlic Sauce and many more yummy recipes and ideas.

This is the easiest way to go gluten free – no guessing about menus, recipes or ingredients. Just follow the menu for each of the 30 days or swap things around using the handy lists provided. No guesswork at all! This would also make a great gift – it’s full of gorgeous photos on glossy paper and is the helpful, quality book I’ve come to expect from Cecelia’s Marketplace.

Follow along with Cecelia’s Marketplace on their 30-Day Gluten Free Diet Challenge, beginning February 1^st

Click here to order the book or find out more. (available for international orders from Amazon.com)

Find out more about Cecelia’s Marketplace International Classics: Gluten-Free Mexican

Find out more about Cecelia’s Gluten-Free Shopping Guide 2011/2012 Edition: A MUST HAVE book for everyone new to a gluten free lifestyle.

Visit the Cecelia’s Marketplace Store with all their books/products and bundle deals.

Thanks to all who entered to win a copy in our random drawing. Congratulations Laurie Powers, Lisa (lovetolink), and Luanne Julian!

Gluten Freeville Product Reviews: Products are either purchased by us or sent to us for sampling. If we don’t LOVE it, you won’t see it reviewed here. No money is ever accepted in exchange for a product review. The sole purpose of our product reviews is to introduce you to great new products we have found as a resource to you, the reader. Note: Cecelia’s Marketplace is a current Gluten Freeville advertiser.

Want to kick off the New Year right with a healthy diet that fits all of your needs? Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar San Francisco is offering new options for mini bar munchies that scream out to the gluten-intolerant and appeal to the health-seeking travelers. With new gluten-free snacks and beverage options, Palomar San Francisco is giving San Francisco hotel guests with gluten allergies delicious alternative for snacking on the road.

“We recognize that our guests all have different needs, from eating to exercising to even the pillows they prefer. The increased awareness of gluten allergies has certainly shed more light on the varying dietary requirements of our guests,” Christopher Smith, general manager for Hotel Palomar San Francisco. “At the end of the day, we want our guests to feel comfortable and at home when they stay with us. So, it made perfect sense to explore the options of gluten-free snacks in our mini bars.”

Today, 21 million people eat gluten-free. Beginning this month, Palomar San Francisco will offer gluten-free mini bars upon request, stocked with non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages and light snacks.

Selections from the gluten- free mini bar include:

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Izze Sparkling Blackberry
• Metro Mint Lemon Water

Alcoholic Drinks

• Bard’s Malt Beer
• RedBridge Sorghum Beer

Snacks

• Brown Rice Snaps
• Kind Fruit & Nut Bar
• Glutino Pretzel Twists
• Lundberg Rice Chips
• Glutino Crackers

For more information about Hotel Palomar’s programs and other services or to make reservations, please visit their website or Facebook page. SanFrancisco, or call 866-373-4941.

ABOUT HOTEL PALOMAR SAN FRANCISCO

Hotel Palomar San Francisco is an artful retreat in the heart of the city. We invite you to experience the unparalleled hospitality, award-winning services and vibrant downtown location of our boutique hotel. We are just steps from Moscone Center, SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens and the best shopping in the city.

You’ve probably tried some different variations of veggie chips, as I have. Some are Styrofoam-y and flavorless, some just taste like veggies with oil and salt on them. Eat Your Vegetables™ is a real veggie snack offering that tastes like a mainstream chip. These are addictively crunchy and chip-like, but each ounce contains a whole serving of vegetables! Genius!

Eat Your Vegetables, Vegetable Chips are made with a unique blend including sweet potatoes, carrots and navy beans. 1 full serving of vegetables in just one ounce, They are gluten free, all natural, vegan and 1 ounce contains 35% of recommended daily vitamin A.

I tried all 3 of the flavors at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and I found them to be one of the best gluten free products featured at the show, and there were tons of products there! I’m not usually fond of powdery flavoring adding to the top of chips, but thee Jalapeno Ranch and Sour Cream & Onion flavors have just a hint of flavoring – not the kind that gets all over your hands. All 3 flavors are amazing! I’ve listed ingredients on each flavor below in the order of my preference.

Sea Salt Flavor:

Ingredients: DRIED POTATOES, NAVY BEANS, RICE FLOUR, EXPELLER PRESSED SUNFLOWER OIL, CANOLA OIL, POTATO STARCH, CARROT, SWEET POTATO, MALTODEXTRIN, SEA SALT, ONION POWDER, SUGAR, KONJAC FLOUR, GARLIC POWDER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR.

Jalapeno Ranch Flavor:

Ingredients: DRIED POTATOES, NAVY BEANS, RICE FLOUR, EXPELLER PRESSED SUNFLOWER OIL, CANOLA OIL, POTATO STARCH, CARROT, SWEET POTATO, BUTTERMILK SOLIDS, SALT, WHEY, NON-FAT DRY MILK, ONION POWDER, GREEN BELL PEPPER POWDER, SUGAR, SOUR CREAM POWDER (CULTURED CREAM, NON-FAT MILK), GARLIC POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR, MALTODEXTRIN, KONJAC FLOUR, JALAPEÑO PEPPER POWDER, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, DRY VINEGAR, SPICE, PAPRIKA EXTRACT

Sour Cream & Onion Flavor:

Ingredients: DRIED POTATOES, NAVY BEANS, RICE FLOUR, EXPELLER PRESSED SUNFLOWER OIL, CANOLA OIL, POTATO STARCH, CARROT, SWEET POTATO, WHEY, SUGAR, MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, ONION POWDER, SOUR CREAM POWDER (CULTURED CREAM, NON-FAT MILK), NON-FAT DRY MILK, KONJAC FLOUR, CITRIC ACID, SPICE, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR (INCLUDING MUSTARD), YEAST EXTRACT.

You can order the chips directly online, or print the coupon and look for them in a store near you. I checked my local Whole Foods today and they have all the Snikiddy products except these, but I’ll keep checking back for the Sea Salt flavor!

Click here for an Eat Your Vegetables Coupon

Click here to buy directly from Snikiddy
(Click on the product and then questions/help for a live chat button to get all your questions answered!)

Click here for their store locator

Gluten Freeville Product Reviews: Products are either purchased by us or sent to us for sampling. If we don’t LOVE it, you won’t see it reviewed here. No money is ever accepted in exchange for a product review. The sole purpose of our product reviews is to introduce you to great new products we have found as a resource to you, the reader.

See my latest review of Gluten Free Bistro Crust below.

Super Bowl Gluten Free Crust Special!

• Buy 1 get 1 free
• Buy 3 get 3 free
• Buy 6 get 6 free!

Available through Super Bowl Sunday

More Good News!
Gluten Free Bistro’s products are now certified gluten free!

The Gluten Free Bistro’s product line is GF certified by the leading gluten-free certification program of The Gluten Intolerance Group, also known as GFCO or the Gluten-Free Certification Organization.

Order online to get the special price

Buy in a retail location in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico or Utah

Find a restaurant that serves it – over 100 to choose from!

See my latest review of Gluten Free Bistro Pizza Below

Speaking of Pizza: The Gluten Free Bistro Pizza Crust!!
Originally published July 1, 2011

Every few days it seems that The Gluten Free Bistro posts new restaurants on the Gluten Freeville Directory that are carrying their awesome Neapolitan style medium-thick, chewy crust that I made this beautiful pizza on and many are carrying their pasta, too. I reviewed this crust about a year ago, but other crust in the news recently led me to remind you or introduce you to this great option.

You can order this whole grain vegan crust online that is hand-made, par baked, frozen and packaged on site. This crust cooks up perfectly with a balance of textures similar to a traditional Neapolitan-style pizza.

OR enjoy it at one of the many restaurant locations that now offer gluten free pizza using The Gluten Free Bistro crust. Restaurants carrying the same great products you can order at home are located in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, & Wisconsin, with more being added all the time. All Colorado and Midwest Nick-N-Willy’s now carry this crust, with Texas and West Coast coming next year.

It’s not your average rice and soybean oil gluten free crust, as many are selling. It actually tastes great and they’ve gone to some effort to really make it healthy and allergen friendly.

Contains: brown rice flour, buckwheat flour (yes- buckwheat is GF even though it has wheat in the name-it is not wheat), tapioca flour, sorghum flour, coconut flour, xanthan gum, apple sauce, yeast, sugar (for inoculating the yeast), olive oil, garlic salt, water.

•  100% Whole grain flours
•  100% GMO-Free ingredients
•  Vegan
• Free of most of the top 8 allergens (contains coconut flour)

“Our manufacturers clean all machinery before our production runs. We test each production run for the presence of gluten and tests results are available for consumers. We are now certified Gluten Free.”

Dough Ball for Making Pizza and Other Goodies at Home
Their new whole grain vegan dough ball contains the exact same ingredients as their crust but is for you to roll out at home. It is made with their non-GMO Bistro Blend Flour providing 76% whole grain flours and only 22% starch . The dough ball is versatile and you can create NY-style and Chicago-style pizza for family and friends, calzone, or whatever other doughy creations you can think up.  This dough is cooked perfectly when the crust is crispy on the bottom and a slice will support the ingredients without becoming limp. You can also use the dough to make stromboli, pigs in a blanket, and more.  Available retail only, not for restaurants. You can buy the dough ball or frozen crust in several Colorado stores: Alfalfa’s Market or Whole Foods (Pearl Street, Alpine St: Ideal Market, Baseline Road, Tamarac, Superior)

The Gluten Free Bistro’s Manufacturing Information
“Our pizza crust is hand-made, par-baked and frozen on site. The crusts are made in a gluten-free designated area of a facility that also manufacturers wheat. By par-baking the crusts, they go right from the freezer to the oven, decreasing the opportunity for the product to be cross-contaminated. We are meticulous about keeping the areas separated. Our pasta is manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat and is made on designated gluten-free equipment.”

Chik-fil-A Waffle Fries are gluten free and fried separately.

Following is more information on Chick-fil-A’s new Kid’s Meal offerings:

• Introduction of Grilled Nuggets: These gluten-free Grilled Nuggets are made from a boneless, skinless breast of chicken tumbled in a salt and pepper spice blend and then grilled to perfection. The four count is only 80 calories and 1 gram of fat, while the six count contains 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat.

• Addition of Buddy Fruits® Pure Blended Fruit To Go: Apple Cinnamon: Each squeezable fruit pouch is gluten free, all natural and contains 100 percent pure fruit. It is 60 calories, 0 grams of fat and equals one serving of fruit.

• Improved beverage options: The chain is changing its children’s beverage line only to feature one percent milk, 100 percent apple juice, its signature freshly squeezed lemonade and water as drink choices.

According to Chick-fil-A’s full-time dietitian Jodie Worrell, these new menu additions come as part of Chick-fil-A’s broader initiative to offer healthier menu options to customers. Initiative highlights include the addition of the Fruit Cup in 2004 and moving to a complete menu (including all condiments) with zero trans fats in 2008. Chick-fil-A also is actively working to reduce sodium across its menu, including a 40 percent sodium reduction in its Chargrilled Chicken filet, 25 percent less sodium in breads and removing 10 percent of sodium in dressings and sauces. Additionally, the chain has removed high fructose corn syrup from its chocolate milk, and some salad dressings and sauces.

Click for more details on the new kid’s meal and grilled nuggets.

Speak to the manager at your location to confirm preparation procedures are satisfactory for you. I have always had great experiences with each location and hope you do, too.

Click for Comple Chik-fIl-A Gluten Information
Items with no gluten in addition to the new grilled nuggets:

Entree

• Chick-fil-A® Chargrilled Chicken Filet (no bun)
• Chick-fil-A® Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad
• Chick-fil-A® Chargrilled Chicken & Fruit Salad
• Tortilla Strips

Sides

• Fruit Cup
• Side Salad
• Cole Slaw
• Carrot & Raisin Salad
• Chick-fil-A Waffle Potato Fries®
• Yogurt Parfait

Breakfast

• Bacon slice
• Egg
• Sausage patty
• American cheese slice
• Hash Browns

Desserts

• Icedream®
• Chocolate Syrup
• Blueberry Topping

Beverages

• All Beverages

Dipping Sauces and Dressings

• Barbecue Sauce
• Honey Mustard Sauce
• Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce
• Polynesian Sauce
• Buttermilk Ranch Sauce
• Chick-fil-A® Buffalo Sauce
• Spicy Dressing
• Blue Cheese Dressing
• Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
• Thousand Island Dressing
• Light Italian Dressing
• Fat Free Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing
• Caesar Dressing
• Reduced Fat Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
• Reduced Fat Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
• Chick-fil-A® Sauce

Condiments

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise
• Apple Jelly
• Grape Jelly
• Mixed Fruit Jelly

Click Restaurant Locator to find a location near you.

The Food Lovers Make It Paleo
by Bill Staley & Haley Mason

A fabulous cookbook I’ve recently run across is The Food Lovers Make It Paleo. I’m not on the Paleo diet, and the thought of this book actually really intimidated me. It’s bigger and heavier than a college textbook – but what you get for your money is so well worth it! This is 443 heavy, glossy pages with over 500 beautiful photos.

Now that I’ve read through it, I could totally eat the Paleo way if I got to eat all this! Everything sounds and looks extremely appetizing, healthy and enticing. This is the perfect book for my gluten free family, and even my brother and his wife who are vegan, gluten free, soy free, dairy free, sugar free. It’s a great book for anyone!

The yummy desserts in here are sweetened with maple syrup and look amazing. When I first got this cookbook, I was intrigued by the “Infamous” Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies (p. 364), and had to try them out. The ingredients are: nitrite free bacon, maple syrup, almond flour, baking soda, salt, eggs, vanilla, coconut oil and dark chocolate chips. Those flavors do combine to make some deliciously interesting cookies, believe it or not!

All the categories in the book have tons of great recipes and there’s nothing in this huge book that I wouldn’t be thrilled to eat. I seriously LOVE this cookbook and anyone who is remotely interested in this type of food – or just a culinary adventure, would love this cookbook! (FYI: This cute, healthy looking couple on the front are the authors)

Click here to find out more about this book or to buy the book.

Check out Bill & Haley’s Great Blog, too.

Thanks to Bill & Haley for offering one of their excellent cookbooks for giveaway and thanks to all who entered! Lisa Schneider won the random drawing on Jan. 11, 2012. Watch for other cookbook and product giveaways to enter in the future!