All Sweet William products are free from dairy, lactose, gluten, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and animal products. Sweet William operates a totally dedicated free-from facility and implements strict procedures to ensure our products are free from our listed allergens. In addition, all our ingredient suppliers are screened intensely to ensure that our ingredients are allergen free in line with our brand promise. Sweet William also regularly sends out batch samples for analysis to make sure there are no allergens present. All these procedures combined ensure peace of mind for people dealing with allergies, food intolerances and those following a vegan diet.
All Sweet William chocolate is also free from preservatives, GMO ingredients and artificial colours and flavours. Our ‘No Added Sugar’ products are naturally sweetened with Stevia. No artificial sweeteners are used at Sweet William.
What is a Food Allergy?
Food allergies occur in around 1 in 10 infants* and in about 1 in 100 adults. The most common triggers are eggs, cow's milk, peanuts and tree nuts. Less common triggers include seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat. Peanuts, tree nuts, seeds and seafood are the major triggers for life long allergies. Some food allergies can be severe, causing life threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis and coeliac disease.
*Osborne et al. Prevalence of challenge-proven IgE-mediated food allergy using population-based sampling and predetermined challenge criteria in infants. J Allergy Clin Immunolol 2011; 127: 668-676
Types of Allergies and Intolerances
Hover over any of the below allergies or intolerances to find out more info
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It occurs after exposure to an allergen (usually to foods, insect stings or medicines), to which a person is already extremely sensitive and often involves more than one body system (e.g. skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular). It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.
Coeliac disease is sensitivity to the protein, gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. The only way to control the disease is to have a gluten-free diet. Many staple foods, such as bread and pasta, contain wheat and specially-prepared gluten-free products are available for sufferers. All Sweet William chocolate is gluten free.
This can produce eczema and a rash (similar to that produced by nettles). It can also lead to a severe anaphylactic reaction. Sufferers need to avoid all eggs and egg products. Whenever you see ‘Vegan Suitable’ on packaging this means it is free from eggs. All Sweet William products are free from eggs and suitable for Vegans.
"Nettle rash" or urticaria is a mild response to these products but they can lead to anaphylactic shock in severe cases. All Sweet William products are free from fish and shellfish.
Peanut allergy is an anaphylactic food allergy. Anaphylactic shock is the name given to a massive allergic reaction within the body. It is a serious, potentially fatal condition that may develop, in sensitive individuals, within a few seconds or minutes of eating peanuts. All Sweet William products are free from peanuts.
Soy allergy is a reaction which occurs soon after exposure to soy or soy products. It’s often but not always due to IgE allergy antibodies against soy proteins. Some patients with allergy to soy do not have IgE allergy antibodies. These patients usually have reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. All Sweet William products contain soy.
Tree nut allergy is a reaction which occurs after ingestion of tree nuts such as Almond, Brazil, Cashew, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Pine, Pistachio and Walnut. The symptoms usually occur within minutes but occasionally up to 2 hours following the ingestion. These symptoms are due to IgE (allergy) antibodies against nut proteins. All Sweet William chocolate is free from tree nuts.
This gives symptoms of asthma, itchy skin and/or diarrhoea in people who are sensitive to wheat. Whereas Coeliacs are only sensitive to the wheat protein, sufferers of wheat allergy are sensitive to the whole grain, including wheat starch. All Sweet William products are wheat free.
Some people cannot drink cows' milk as it causes eczema due to a sensitivity to cows' milk protein. Others cannot digest lactose (the natural sugar found in milk) due to a lack of an enzyme. Babies and children with intolerance to cows' milk can be prescribed to suitable soya-based milk substitute. Adults can use goats' or ewes' milk if the intolerance is due to cows' protein. (These milks still contain lactose). All Sweet William products are dairy and lactose free.
Lactose intolerance means the body cannot easily digest lactose, a type of natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is not the same thing as a food allergy to milk. When lactose moves through the large intestine camera (colon) without being properly digested, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, belly pain, and bloating. Some people who have lactose intolerance cannot digest any milk products. Others can eat or drink small amounts of milk products or certain types of milk products without problems. All Sweet William products are lactose free.
Gluten is the general name for the storage of proteins found in wheat, oats, rye, and barley. It is the substance that gives the rubbery, elastic texture in bread. It helps glue bread and cakes together so they don't crumble. When you have gluten intolerance, your immune system is hypersensitive to one of the proteins in gluten so your system reacts against the protein, causing symptoms that commonly include: bloating and gas, abdominal pain, constipation, indigestion, stomach cramps, fatigue and headaches. All Sweet William products are gluten free.
Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs, dairy products and all other animal-derived ingredients. Many vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines. Most vegans also avoid the use of all products tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool. Vegan refers to either a person who follows this way of eating, or to the diet itself. All Sweet William products are suitable for Vegans.
If you have any concerns about any allergens/intolerances not mentioned please check our FAQ section below or contact customerservice@sweetwilliam.com.au