If I am looking for gluten-free products, what do you recommend when it comes to your products?
Unilever Ice Cream is a member of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network and the Food Allergy Resource and Research Program.
- We recommend consumers read the label each time before buying our product.
- If gluten is present, it is clearly listed in plain language on the ingredient label (i.e., wheat flour, rye, barley, oats, and malt).
- We work closely with ingredient and packaging suppliers to verify gluten in all ingredient components including natural flavours, colours, and spices.
Why was my favourite flavour discontinued?
Many factors contribute to the decision to discontinue a flavour or product, but they all boil down to the fact that we didn’t sell enough of the flavour or product to keep producing it. We know that you did your part to keep the flavour or product in production. Please understand that we do everything we can to not disappoint any of our consumers. Discontinuing a product or flavour is purely an economic decision.
What is the best way to store your products?
At the supermarket, buy ice cream last.
- Be sure the package feels hard and shows no signs of thawing and re-freezing.
- Ask for ice cream to first be placed in a plastic bag, then bagged with other frozen foods.
- At home, immediately unpack ice cream and place in the coldest part of the freezer, not in the door where it is subject to more fluctuating temperatures.
- Keep freezer control set at -24°C or below. Ice cream is easy to dip between -20°C and -18°C, the ideal serving temperature range.
- As soon as you’ve finished scooping, tightly cover ice cream and return to the freezer.
- To help prevent ice crystals from forming, press a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap directly on surface of ice cream before covering with lid.
- Don’t allow ice cream to repeatedly soften and re-freeze. When ice cream’s small ice crystals melt and refreeze, they can eventually turn into large, unappetizing lumps.
Why does my ice cream have a grainy, icy or sandy texture?
Your description suggests a problem with temperature abuse as a result of a shipping or storage control problem. When ice cream thaws and refreezes, the lactose in the product crystallizes resulting in a grainy/sandy texture. While not harmful, it is unappetizing.
What is guar gum?
Guar Gum is a flour made from a bean seed, and we use it as a stabilizer. Its purpose is to bond with water molecules and inhibit the growth of ice crystals as the ice cream freezes. This water-bonding property also offers some protection from iciness due to temperature fluctuations during distribution. We use very small amounts of this ingredient and, because it is a natural plant product, we feel it contributes to the overall quality of our ice cream without compromising its purity or wholesomeness.
How is ice cream made?
We follow the manufacturing procedures as set forth by the International Ice Cream Association. Preparation of the mix: Mixtures consist of dairy products to which sweeteners and stabilizers have been added. Stabilizers keep products smooth by preventing the formation of large ice crystals. Pasteurization of the mix: This process consists of heating the mix to a specified temperature for a prescribed time period. The mix is pasteurized in order to destroy harmful microorganisms. Homogenization of the mix: Mechanically generated pressure breaks up the fat globules to ensure a smooth product. Freezing the mix: During the freezing process, the mix is agitated to incorporate air into the product and keep ice crystals small. The amount of aeration differs depending on the product. Other ingredients are added: Fruits, nuts, and other optional ingredients are incorporated into the mixture after freezing. The liquid flavouring ingredients usually are added to the mix before it goes to the freezer. Filling: The mixture is mechanically placed into containers or molds.
What is Unilever Ice Cream’s mission statement?
Unilever Ice Cream uses the same mission statement as our parent company, Unilever. Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer products companies. It produces and markets a wide range of food and home and personal care products with the mission of “helping people feel good, look good and get more out of life”.
What anaphylactic considerations should be made when consuming Unilever products?
Peanuts are used in various products produced at Unilever Ice Cream production facilities. Good Manufacturing Practices are followed at these facilities to minimize the opportunities for cross- contamination across products. Despite these practices, the risk of cross-contamination still exists. Based on this, precautionary nut allergen warnings appear on Unilever Ice Cream products eg “May contain traces of peanuts and /or other nuts”, “Contains peanuts and may contain traces of other nuts” etc.