Peanut Allergy News: Nut-Free Snack Perfect for Back to School: Mini Pops!

Look how cute these are! But they pack a good crunch.

Here is the basic flavor; they've got 9 in all.

Just in time for back to school -- here is a nut-free snack that is also gluten-free, organic and corn-free -- Mini Pops! My family got to sample these recently and they were a snack-time revelation: air-popped sorghum grain. This tasty little snack is even better from my perspective because it is made in a nut-free facility (and says so right on the package.)

You might be asking: why sorghum? Turns out that sorghum grain is "greener" and more eco-friendly than corn as it requires 50% less agricultural water consumption. However, with so many more people needing to avoid corn these days due to allergies, celiac disease or other issues, it is also a great popcorn alternative. I thought it tasted a lot like popcorn with hearty crunch and lots of flavor. Both of my daughters loved this snack, and so did my husband and I, especially the "Cutie Caramel Clusters," "Nano Pepper and Herb" and "Petite Plain." The smaller bags they sent us were demolished in pretty short order. There are 9 flavor varieties in all; some contain dairy.

I just had a mom ask about organic, nut-free snacks the other day; another mom asked about corn-free -- here you go, ladies! Mini Pops give you a lot to like in one snack, as they fit a lot of people's dietary needs while also tasting delicious. Mini Pops are all-natural, certified gluten-free, organic, non-GMO and made in a nut-free facility. They are also kosher. The labels are clear and well-marked, so this is a great snack to share with family and friends who ask what you can have. Or just bring it to a gathering or kids' play date!

The company shares that a nice side benefit to this snack as opposed to popcorn: Mini Pops have no hulls that can get caught in the teeth or gums. My daughter with braces appreciated that fact!

You can order Mini Pops online and the product is also available in select U.S. stores. Check the company website for details on where to buy.

The company is also devoted to good causes. Right now, Mini Pops is offering a giveaway contest right now that benefits the Fisher House Foundation. For every entry Mini Pops will donate10 cents to the Fisher House, a organization that donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

 There is no cost to enter the giveaway and someone will win two Mini Pops sampler packs. The giveaway is through the company's Facebook page: here is a direct link.

Thanks, Mini Pops, for creating a delicious, healthy and nut-free snack that everyone can enjoy. Readers, if you try these, let us know what you think.

FTC note:  Samples of the product were provided, but I received no compensation for this review. All opinions are my own (and my family's).

Nut-Free Pretzel Bakery Kim & Scott's Introduce a New Gluten-Free Gourmet Pretzel!

When Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels contacted me about their new Gluten-Free Pretzels, I was very interested to try them. I've been a fan of Kim & Scott's for years and have enjoyed their pretzels, available in the frozen section at the supermarket (check their web site for stores) and also fresh from their nut-free bakery in Chicago called Cafe Twist, which I visit often with my family. You can read a review of that restaurant here.

My family avoids all baked goods that are nut-free, but because we don't cope with either celiac disease or wheat allergy, we have not sought out gluten-free baked goods. I was curious to see what these would taste like and what my kids would think. They are serious fans of the "regular" Kim & Scott's pretzels so how would they feel about gluten-free?

Turns out that they LOVED them. My youngest daughter ate her first gluten-free Bavarian pretzel as an after school snack and that one was soon followed by her second. I told her that it was gluten-free and asked if she could tell the difference. She said no. I grabbed a bite of my own pretzel. Amazingly, to me these taste like Kim & Scott's regular Bavarian pretzels (my personal favorite). If anything, they are slightly sweeter with a very slightly different texture than the wheat variety. But if you were to give me a gluten-free Kim & Scott's pretzel and not tell me, I don't think I would have known the difference. In a word: delicious.

My oldest daughter is the one with the nut-allergy, so she has always appreciated the nut-free aspects of Kim & Scott's pretzels and she informed me that "Kim & Scott's makes gluten-free taste good." I heartily agree.

It is very difficult to find products that are both gluten-free AND made in a nut-free facility. How wonderful that there is now a great new snack option for those of us who need nut-free bakery items as well as gluten-free.

If you would like more information about this product or other Kim & Scott's products, please visit their web site for details.

FTC note: I received food samples, but no $$ compensation for this review.