York Peppermint Patty Allergy Information

York Peppermint Pattie is a dark chocolate candy with a soft, peppermint-flavored filling. Manufactured by Hershey’s, York Peppermint Pattie has several versions, including sugar-free, king-size and bite-size. People who have certain food allergies may have allergic reactions when they consume even small amounts of York Peppermint Pattie.

York Peppermint Pattie is primarily made from sugar, corn syrup and chocolate. One piece of the pattie has 140 calories of which 25 calories come from fat. Based on a 2,000-calorie diet, one serving or piece provides 10 percent of the daily value for carbohydrates; 4 percent total fat including 8 percent saturated fat; and a small amount of iron. The candy filling is made from sugar, corn syrup, egg whites and oil of peppermint. The semi-sweet chocolate cover is made from chocolate, sugar, cocoa, milk fat, cocoa butter, soy lecithin and artificial flavors.

Allergy warnings are neither specified on the Hershey’s web page for York Peppermint Pattie nor on the candy wrapper. However, the label specifically lists milk fat, cocoa butter and milk as ingredients. If you have cow’s milk allergy, you may experience symptoms such as tingling sensation in the mouth, hives, vomiting and wheezing within minutes to a few hours after you consume the candy. People with a severe milk allergy may experience a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that includes a swollen throat or tongue, blocked airways, rapid pulse and fainting.

Hershey’s York Peppermint Pattie also lists egg whites as one of its ingredients. If you have egg allergy, you need to avoid foods with egg, including both egg whites and yolk. Symptoms of an egg allergy are similar to other food allergies and severe reactions may also lead to anaphylaxis. Other terms in food labels that may indicate the presence of eggs include albumin, lecithin, globulin, and ovalbumin.

York Peppermint Pattie lists soy lecithin as one of the ingredients in the semi-sweet chocolate cover. Although most cases of soy allergy are mild, the rare cases may result in anaphylaxis. Call 911 immediately if you experience symptoms of anaphylactic shock because of an allergic reaction to soy, egg or milk found in York Peppermint Pattie or other foods. You can prevent an allergic reaction by avoiding food products containing ingredients you are allergic to.