ALLERGEN INFORMATION
Last Updated: 03rd December 2025
Critical Allergen Warning
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE CAREFULLY IF YOU OR YOUR GUESTS HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES OR INTOLERANCES.
Your safety is important to us. However, due to the nature of our production environment and the ingredients we use, we cannot guarantee that any product is completely free from allergen traces. If you or your guests have severe allergies or life-threatening food sensitivities, we strongly recommend obtaining products from a dedicated allergen-free facility.
Our Production Environment
Shared Kitchen Facility
All Pastels products are made in a shared kitchen environment where we regularly handle and process multiple allergens. Even when we make products that do not intentionally contain certain allergens, cross-contamination can occur through:
Shared equipment (mixers, bowls, utensils, baking pans)
Shared work surfaces and countertops
Airborne particles (flour dust, nut particles)
Ingredient storage areas
Staff handling multiple products
We Process These Allergens
Our kitchen regularly handles and processes the following common allergens:
Gluten: Wheat flour, barley, rye, oats, and products containing gluten
Dairy: Milk, butter, cream, cream cheese, milk chocolate, yogurt, and other dairy products
Eggs: Whole eggs, egg whites, egg yolks used in cakes, meringues, and icings
Tree Nuts: Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, macadamia nuts, cashews
Peanuts: Peanuts and peanut products
Soy: Soy lecithin (commonly found in chocolate), soy flour, and soy-based products
Sesame Seeds: Used in certain decorations and recipes
Sulphites: Present in some dried fruits, food colourings, and preservatives
Cross-Contamination Risk
What is Cross-Contamination?
Cross-contamination occurs when trace amounts of an allergen unintentionally come into contact with a product that does not list that allergen as an ingredient. This can happen even when we follow careful cleaning and hygiene practices.
Why We Cannot Eliminate Cross-Contamination
Despite thorough cleaning between batches, it is impossible to eliminate all allergen traces in a shared facility. Even microscopic amounts of allergens can cause reactions in highly sensitive individuals.
Products Made Without Certain Ingredients
We can make products that do not include specific ingredients as part of the recipe (e.g., "dairy-free," "nut-free," "gluten-free"). However, even these products may contain traces of allergens due to cross-contamination in our shared kitchen.
Example: A "nut-free" cake does not contain nuts as an ingredient, but it may have been made using equipment that previously processed nut-containing products, and trace amounts of nuts may be present.
Customer Responsibility
You Must Inform Us of All Allergies
It is your sole and absolute responsibility to inform us of any and all food allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions at the time of placing your order. We cannot accommodate allergy requests if we are not informed in advance.
When notifying us of allergies, please provide:
The specific allergen(s) of concern
The severity of the allergy (mild, moderate, severe, life-threatening)
Whether the allergy is contact-based or ingestion-based
Any other relevant medical information
Severe Allergies and Anaphylaxis Risk
If you or your guests have severe allergies that could result in anaphylaxis or other life-threatening reactions, we strongly advise that you do NOT order from Pastels. Instead, please seek products from a dedicated allergen-free facility that can guarantee zero cross-contamination risk.
We cannot and do not accept orders for individuals with severe, life-threatening allergies such as:
Severe nut allergies requiring EpiPen
Severe gluten allergy (Celiac disease with high sensitivity)
Severe dairy allergy requiring complete avoidance
Any allergy where trace contamination could cause serious harm
Your Acceptance of Risk
By placing an order with Pastels after being informed of our allergen policy, you acknowledge and accept the risk of cross-contamination. You agree that:
You have read and understood this Allergen Information page in full
You accept that trace amounts of allergens may be present in any product
You will inform your guests of potential allergen risks
You will not hold Pastels liable for any allergic reactions or health issues arising from the consumption of our products
Dietary Preference Products
Gluten-Free Products
We offer some gluten-free products made with gluten-free flour alternatives. However, these products are made in a kitchen that processes wheat and gluten daily, gluten-free products may contain traces of gluten due to cross-contamination, and these products are not suitable for individuals with Celiac disease or severe gluten intolerance.
Gluten-free products are suitable for those who prefer to reduce gluten intake for dietary or lifestyle reasons but are not suitable for medical gluten avoidance.
Dairy-Free Products
We offer some dairy-free products made with dairy alternatives (coconut cream, almond milk, dairy-free chocolate, vegan butter). However, these products are made in a kitchen that processes dairy products daily, dairy-free products may contain traces of dairy due to cross-contamination, and these products are not suitable for individuals with severe dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
Dairy-free products are suitable for those who prefer to avoid dairy for dietary or ethical reasons but are not suitable for medical dairy avoidance.
Vegan Products
We offer some vegan products that contain no animal-derived ingredients. However, these products are made in a kitchen that processes eggs, dairy, and other animal products; vegan products may contain traces of animal products due to cross-contamination, and these products are not certified vegan by any external organisation.
Vegan products are suitable for those following a plant-based diet for ethical or lifestyle reasons but are not suitable for those requiring strict medical avoidance of animal products.
Nut-Free Products
We can make products that do not contain nuts as an ingredient. However, our kitchen regularly processes nuts, and nut particles can become airborne; nut-free products may contain traces of nuts due to cross-contamination, and these products are not suitable for individuals with severe nut allergies.
Ingredient Information
Ingredient Lists Available on Request
We can provide ingredient lists for our products upon request. Ingredient lists will include all intentional ingredients used in the recipe but may not include traces of allergens from cross-contamination.
We Do Not Provide Nutritional Information
We do not provide detailed nutritional information (calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates) or allergen certifications for our products. Our products are handmade in small batches, and nutritional content may vary.
Ingredient Substitutions
We reserve the right to substitute ingredients based on availability. If a substitution affects a known allergy, we will inform you. However, minor substitutions (e.g., brand of chocolate, type of flour) may be made without notice.
Hidden Allergens in Ingredients
Some ingredients may contain allergens that are not immediately obvious. For example:
Chocolate often contains soy lecithin and milk solids
Food colourings may contain sulphites
Vanilla extract may contain alcohol
Dried fruits may be processed with sulphites
Decorative elements may contain allergens
We will do our best to inform you of known allergens, but it is impossible to list every potential trace allergen.
Disclaimer of Liability
No Liability for Allergic Reactions
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Pastels, its owner (Pooja Shankar), employees, contractors, and representatives will not be held liable for any allergic reactions, illness, injury, adverse health effects, or any other harm resulting from consumption of our products.
This includes but is not limited to:
Allergic reactions to known allergens
Allergic reactions to undisclosed allergens
Cross-contamination from shared equipment or facilities
Ingredients to which the customer or their guests may be sensitive
Any health issues arising from consumption, whether or not allergens are involved
You Assume All Risk
By ordering from Pastels, you acknowledge that you are assuming all risk related to food allergies and health sensitivities. You agree that you will not make any claim against Pastels for any allergic reaction or health issue, regardless of cause.
You Agree to Indemnify Us
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Pastels and Pooja Shankar from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from any allergic reaction or health issue experienced by you or your guests in connection with consumption of our products.
Best Practices for Customers
Inform Your Guests
If you are serving our products to guests at an event, party, or gathering, you must inform them:
That the products were made in a facility that processes common allergens
That cross-contamination is possible
That they should avoid consumption if they have severe allergies
You may wish to provide a general allergen warning sign near the dessert table or inform guests verbally.
Have Emergency Medication Available
If you or your guests have known allergies and choose to consume our products despite the risks, ensure that appropriate emergency medication (such as antihistamines or EpiPens) is available and that someone knows how to use it.
Ask Questions
If you have any questions about ingredients, preparation methods, or allergen content, please ask us before placing your order. We will do our best to provide accurate information, but we cannot guarantee the absence of any allergen.
Consider Alternative Suppliers
If you have serious concerns about allergens or cannot accept the risk of cross-contamination, we encourage you to seek suppliers who operate dedicated allergen-free facilities. We will not be offended and want you to prioritize safety.
Non-Edible Decorations
Some Decorations Are Not Edible
Some decorations on our cakes and desserts may be non-edible, including:
Wires, dowels, and structural supports
Plastic or paper decorations
Fresh flowers (unless specified as edible)
Metallic or lustre finishes (some may not be food-safe)
Ribbons, beads, or other ornamental items
It is your responsibility to remove non-edible items before consumption. Non-edible items may pose choking hazards or contain materials that should not be ingested.
Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers used as decoration are generally NOT edible unless specifically stated. Many flowers are toxic if ingested. Remove all flowers before serving unless we have confirmed they are edible and food-safe.
Alcohol Content
No Alcohol in Our Standard Products
Our standard products do not contain alcohol. We do not currently offer alcohol-infused cakes or desserts.
If this changes in the future, we will clearly label any products containing alcohol and ensure compliance with age restrictions.
Food Safety
Food Safety Standards
We follow proper food safety and hygiene practices in accordance with New Zealand food safety regulations. Our kitchen maintains high standards of cleanliness, and all staff follow hygiene protocols.
Perishable Products
Our products are perishable and must be stored and handled appropriately. Improper storage can lead to spoilage and potential foodborne illness, independent of any allergen concerns.
Please refer to our Delivery and Pickup Information page for proper storage and handling instructions.
Updates to This Policy
We reserve the right to update this Allergen Information page at any time to reflect changes in our production methods, ingredient suppliers, or legal requirements.
The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates the most recent revision. We encourage you to review this page each time you place an order.
Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions or concerns about allergens, ingredients, or our production methods, please contact us before placing your order:
Pastels
Email: info@pastels.nz
Website: www.pastels.nz
We are happy to discuss your specific needs and provide as much information as possible. However, we cannot guarantee allergen-free products, and we will always prioritise honesty about our limitations over making promises we cannot keep.
Your safety is important to us, but you must make informed decisions based on your own health needs and risk tolerance.